TORREVIEJA MAY FAIR ATTRACTS THOUSANDS

Culture

Keith Nicol / 2012-05-13 13:27:53

The May Fair packed out the pavillion every night

This week’s May Fair, the largest of its kind outside of the Andalusia region, was a superb success, with tens of thousands of visiting to enjoy the gastronomy, colour, music, dance and entertainment on show.

The Fair opened on Wednesday in Torrevieja, as thousands of spectators witnessed the turning on of the lights followed by a short, but spectacular firework display. The celebration began in the late 80’s when a local hotelier, the late Joseph Silvente, who ran the Pub Seville, became the embryo of this unique Fair, whose growth and popularity has been unstoppable.

The opening night had an expectant audience waiting to see the beginning of the shows, in beautiful evening weather that attracted thousands to the traditional port area of Torrevieja. The entire area, from the Levante Pier, the popular funfair, the Paseo de la Libertad and Paseo Juan Aparicio, was dressed for the occasional also and fine weather was accompanied by a Mediterranean sea breeze.

The inauguration began with a parade and music from UMT, Torrevieja Musical Union. The seen was set and at just after 9.00pm the music started, led by the UMT and the Choir and Orchestra Salinas de Torrevieja. After that time, and after a few words of Jose Francisco Boj Ortigosa, president of the Friends of the May Fair, and after the speech of Mayor Eduardo Dolon, it was time to turn on the lights that adorn the entire fairgrounds, after being given the relevant order by the mayor himself, as tradition dictates.

Presentations were given by the Association of Friends of the May Fair, who along with Jose Francisco Ortigosa Boj, gave a gift to Jaime Belda, director of UMT, in gratitude for the work that the musical society provides to the show. Manuel Martinez Guirao, director of the Choir and Orchestra Salinas, also received a gift, a commemorative tile with the image of the fair on behalf of the Fair for the entire institution he leads.

An amazing fireworks display that could be seen, heard and felt throughout Torrevieja entertained the crowd followed by the dance groups of the Municipal School of Dance, who performed a show reviewing all styles of flamenco, which with the Academy of Dance Sancho and Martinez.

During the Fair, on Thursday, the local dance academy Paya´s and its flamenco group performed. Friday, was the turn of the Rosy Sancho dance academy and at 11.00 pm the entire area was filled to capacity for a concert by El Arrebato. EL ARREBATO. Saturday, saw the traditional mass taking place at the Inmaculada’s Archpriest’s Church sung by a Rociero choir followed by a Parade of horses up to the door of the church, to welcome to authorities and congregation and then parade to the fair facilities.

Once there, spectators were enchanted by the Spanish horse riders. Saturday featured a performance by the Lola Morales dance academy and at 10.30pm, a concert of the concurso de Copla II. At midnight the Grupo Flamenco Azahara performed.

On Sunday, the last day of the fair, at noon there were more exhibitions of Spanish horses and in the evening a performance of Maria del Angel dance academy followed at 11.30 pm by the closing of the May Fair with the final concert by the Rociero choir and the Masa Coral José Hodar choir.

Second only to the Ferias in Andalusia itself, in size and spectacle, once again Torrevieja’s May Fair again added to the increased profile of the City of Salt as a major centre of culture activities for the region.