200 years and all that
In the Font del Canter — that’s the sort of showcase thing in the little square opposite the main door of the Parish Church — there will be an exhibition that promises to be more than just facts: a look at the soul of Pinoso over the past two centuries. The Town Hall describes the display as allegorical, a word I had to look up in English, so the interpretation of the display is entirely mine.
In the Auditorio — the theatre just a bit up from the health centre, around the back of the Pensioners’ Club.
One of the two local theatre groups, Yorick Theatre, will put on a play called 1826: The Comedy of the Bicentenary (well, that’s how it translates). If your Spanish is up to it, Yorick are usually very good — and, unlike the other group, Taules, they don’t resort to racist gags for cheap laughs. There’s no mention in the programme of how to get tickets. Usually, you can get them on the door, sometimes on the evenings before the performance, or occasionally via agendapinoso.es.
First, there will be a procession with the carnival queens and their ladies-in-waiting, the town’s celebrities, and the general hoi polloi escorted by the Town Band. They'll set out from the Cultural Centre — that’s the modern building on Constitución, just above the Taj Mahal Indian restaurant — to the Town Hall square.
By 5.30 pm, everyone should have arrived when the band (Sociedad Unión Lírica Pinosense) will perform a short concert of pasodobles.
At 6.00 pm, the new image of the square will be revealed — chiefly the new fountain, but also fresh tarmac and a general smartening-up. Then, the local folk dance group — Monte de la Sal — will perform scenes representing old Pinoso.
Finally, there’ll be a bit of a bunfight — a tasting of typical local products.
In the Municipal Gardens — the ones just above Estem Acì, the little park with the outdoor stage,
In the Auditorio —Free entry.
The programme simply says Institutional Act — something like an official reception: “200 years Town of Pinoso,” with contributions from Taules Theatre, the Pinoso Dance Group, and the Town Band.
An Acto Institucional could mean almost anything, but I suspect it will feature speeches from local politicians and “celebrities”, perhaps some awards for local people, and probably the local hymn - standing, hand on heart. As well as the Town Band there'll be theatre, and dance groups — all with a strongly Valencian/Pinoso flavour. It’s quite likely to be almost entirely in Valenciano. Actos nearly always include a Vino de Honor (a glass of wine and a few nibbles) at the end but, as it’s in the theatre, don’t count on being fed.
In the Auditorio. It’s free, but you’ll need to get a ticket beforehand from agendapinoso.es.
This one’s a monologue by Òscar Tramoyeres, who, I think, is a presenter on the regional TV channel. The title is in Valenciano, and as À Punt is the Valencian-language TV service, I’d be amazed if the monologue weren’t in Valenciano too. From what I can gather (and my Valenciano isn’t even basic), the title roughly means I Make do With Very Little.
The programme doesn’t specify the location, but the last correfoc in Pinoso started from the car park by the Town Hall. Best check — have a look at the el Cabeço Facebook page.
A correfoc is gloriously chaotic — “running with fire”. People dressed as devils charge through the streets waving fireworks, with others on bikes, stilts, and all sorts joining in. Sparks fly everywhere and while they don’t really burn, they do sting a bit and they can singe clothes and hair. Advice from the Town Hall includes: wear old clothes and long sleeves, avoid flammable fabrics, protect your eyes, cover your head with a hood or scarf and wear sturdy shoes. The last correfoc I went to, I binned my old hoodie afterwards — it was full of tiny burn holes.
There's no location in the programme for this but it's usually in the middle of town — centred on the square in front of Consum and stretching down the Jumilla road towards the petrol station.
The usual set-up includes stalls with local food and wine, plus displays by various associations and community groups. The theme is Pinoso and its pedanías, and plenty of people turn up in “traditional” clothes. This year I saw mention of a 15€ food and drink ticket for a full meal — a menu with a drink and sweet and savoury tastings. Typically, you buy tokens to exchange at the stalls but this year there has been some publicity for things available with individual prices. However it works it will be easy enough to sort out on the day. Meanwhile, on the stage by the “Pinos” carving outside Consum, there’ll be speeches followed by performances from local dance groups and bands. It’s always a great day — and this year’s will almost certainly be bigger and better than ever — so if you can make it, I definitely recommend going.
Just to finish off, but a seperate blog in itself there is a tapas trail in Pinoso to add to the celebrations. From 5th to 8th February and again from 12th to 14th February, the route will offer the chance to enjoy local flavours. Eleven bars and restaurants are taking part with two exclusive tapas in each. The cost is 4€ and includes a wine or beer. The more tapas you try, the more entries you'll have for the draws to win meals, more tapas and baskets of local produce.
A word of warning. This piece is based on the published programme and my experience of the Villazgo event in the past. Last minute changes happen all the time, even more so with the strange weather we're experiencing at the moment. Check the Facebook page of El Cabeço for up to date information and changes.
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