{"id":362,"date":"2013-09-18T17:27:37","date_gmt":"2013-09-18T17:27:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/schmitt.seafog.net\/PeterSchmitt\/?p=362"},"modified":"2016-01-04T01:33:18","modified_gmt":"2016-01-04T01:33:18","slug":"algemesi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.seafog.net\/PeresRamblings\/algemesi\/","title":{"rendered":"Algemes\u00ed"},"content":{"rendered":"

Algemes\u00ed is a small city not far from X\u00e0tiva. It can easily be reached on the commuter train line (Cercanias \/ Rodalias) that connects X\u00e0tiva and Valencia. Algemes\u00ed is\u00a0the train stop just north of Alzira.<\/p>\n

\"Mare<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Algemes\u00ed is host to a yearly festival of note called the \u201cfiesta de la Mare de D\u00e9u de la\u00a0Salut.\u201d Literally this refers to the mother of God of health, or \u201cour lady of health.\u201d<\/p>\n

Spain has an abundance of local festivals, and I had not been aware of this particular one. But a couple of days after my arrival I saw an article in the newspaper, so on Sunday September 8th<\/sup>, I hopped on the train and got off in Algemes\u00ed. Much of the festival activity goes on between the small church dedicated to Mare de D\u00e9u de la Salut and the Plaza Mayor, site of an impressive, larger church dedicated to Santiago (Saint James).<\/p>\n

In addition to the usual activities, this year the event was being filmed for a documentary about the Valencian Community. This meant that in addition to the \u201ccivilian\u201d photographers in the crowd, cameras held high overhead to try to capture scenes mostly hidden by the crowd, there were photos being taken from a huge mechanical boom apparatus, and even a remote controlled hovering camera that briefly flew onto the scene.<\/p>\n

The day was hot, the square was incredibly packed so I did not stay long enough to really do justice to the festivities. Nevertheless, here are a few pictures and a short video.<\/p>\n

\"Plaza<\/a>
Plaza Mayor \/ Pla\u00e7a Major<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Church<\/a>
Church of Santiago<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Santiago<\/a>
Santiago<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Muixerangues\"<\/a>
Muixerangues- There are obvious similarities to the “Castellers” of Catalunya, but here, the height of the groups is less of a goal. In this scene pictured, the participants actually move around in a circle once they have formed the towers. (See the video snippet at the end of this post)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Young<\/a>
Young participant after the show<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Bastonets-<\/a>
Bastonets-
Groups of male dancers in red and female dancers in blue
smack small batons and clank metal disks while weaving in and out.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Viewers<\/a>
Viewers on balconies or at windows of nearby buildings had a great view!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Male<\/a>
Male dancer wearing a traditional Valencian outfit<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Female<\/a>
Female dancer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Door<\/a>
Door to the small church dedicated to Mare de Deu de la Salut<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"On<\/a>
On the side of the church several plaques depicted scenes from the celebration.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Plaque\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Procession\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Brief video highlights:<\/p>\n