October 9: day of the Valencian Community and San Donís October 9 is very close. This day has great meaning for the Valencian Community. Don't you know what is celebrated on October 9? On this day we Valencians pay tribute to our identity, to our
The October 9 It's very close. This day has great meaning for the Valencian Community.
Don't you know what is celebrated on October 9?
On this day, Valencians pay tribute to our identity, our roots and our cultural heritage in a very special way.
Furthermore, the October 9th festival in Valencia It also coincides with the celebration of San Donis, which adds an even more endearing touch to the celebrations.
If you are fortunate enough to be in Valencia during these dates, an opportunity opens up to immerse yourself in Valencian culture and learn more about the history of Valencia.
In this article, we will explore in detail What exactly is celebrated on October 9, the festive activities and events that take place in the Valencian Community and how you can enjoy them.
Also, if you are in Valencia, you can learn Spanish with us at Hispania, Spanish school.
Our buildings are located in the university area of Valencia, one of the most vibrant and beautiful areas of the city.
Here we offer face-to-face Spanish courses for all levels.
Can't come to Valencia or do you prefer to study at home?
No problem, we also have online Spanish courses for you.
But... let's continue with today's topic. Do you want to know why the day October 9 Is it so important for Valencians and all the activities that are carried out?
Yeah? Well, don't separate yourself from the screen, we'll explain it to you 🙌🏻.
On the ninth of October (nou d’octubre in Valencian) it is celebrated the Day of the Valencian Community, also known as the Valencia Day.
This holiday in Valencia commemorates the entry of James I of Aragon in Valencia in 1238, a historical milestone that culminated in the Christian reconquest of the city and the incorporation of the territory to the Crown of Aragon.
The muslims They had conquered much of Spain in 711, creating a territory known as Al-Andalus.
However, starting in the 8th century, the Christian kingdoms of the north, such as the Kingdom of Asturias, began to undertake a series of military campaigns to reconquer the territories that had been occupied by the Muslims.
The reconquest of Valencia by James I of Aragon on October 9, 1238 was one of the most significant episodes of the Reconquista, and marked the incorporation of the city and its surroundings into the Christian kingdom of Aragon.
This event is commemorated every year in the Valencian Community with different traditions and recreational events. Do you want to know the main events of October 9 in Valencia?
We'll tell you about them below!
The festivities of October 9 begin here.
In this ceremony, Valencians gather in the Parterre park, in full historic center of Valencia, to pay tribute to King James I of Aragon, who starred in the historicreconquest of Valencia in 1238.
Dressed in traditional costumes, representatives of various cultural entities they parade carrying flowers that they deposit with the equestrian statue of Jaume I.
The square becomes a sea of colors with flowers, and the atmosphere is filled with emotion for the history and Valencian traditions that are about to begin.
The mascletà is an explosion of noise, gunpowder and passion spectacular. This Valencian festival is celebrated on various occasions, especially during The Failures.
Valencia on October 9 is full of enthusiasm thanks in part to this mascletà. The moment in which the sky lights up with the colors of the Valencian senyera and the Valencian anthem is heard.
The mascletà in Valencia on October 9 can vary in location: sometimes it is in the town hall square, other times on the promenade... we recommend that you find out its location well if you want to go.
These mascletàs are in the hands of skilled pyrotechnicians, in which the firecrackers and fireworks They create an intense symphony of noise and colors, filling the air with a unique energy.
On the night of October 9, the sky of the Valencian Community lights up with the impressive fireworks castles.
These castles are usually made at the height of the Alameda bridge, although there have been years that they have been done in other places.
As before, we advise you to find out its location before going.
The time also changes every year, although it is usually starting at twelve at night.
The night of the fireworks It is one of the most anticipated moments of the October 9th celebration, where pyrotechnics reach their maximum expression.
Spectators are placed in strategic places to witness this spectacle, which combines lights, colors and shapes in a unique pyrotechnic choreography.
Every year, different Valencian pyrotechnic companies (famous throughout the world) compete to create the Castle of October 9 in Valencia most impressive.
In these October festivities in the Valencian Community they could not be missing the parades of Moors and Christians.
The fight between Muslims and Christians during the time of the Reconquista is commemorated here, but today they are celebrated in a festive and peaceful way, emphasizing the cultural diversity and the coexistence of different traditions.
The parades are full of people with colorful costumes, music and traditional dances, and the participants represent Moors and Christians in exciting historical performances.
These festivals celebrate respect for the history of the Valencian Community and are an example of how the region embraces its legacy with a festive spirit.
Music could not be missing from the activities on October 9 in Valencia.
The traditional music and dance They fill the atmosphere with their typical repertoire, performing jotas and regional dances.
Typical Valencian dances, such as Muixeranga and the Dansà, become protagonists of the festivities. These dances are a great opportunity to get to know the culture of Valencia better among laughter and joy.
They are not very difficult to learn, anyone can. Would you like to immerse yourself fully in the Valencian folklore dancing a Dansà?
Plus, dancing is great for meeting new friends. They are all advantages!
These are the main events of the Valencian Community Day.
We hope you come to some and enjoy them!
During the October 9, day of the Valencian Community , many streets in the historic center of the capital are transformed into a fascinating medieval market.
Inspired by the Middle Ages, this event recreates the atmosphere and essence of that time, offering visitors the experience of traveling to the past.
The merchant stalls offer artisanal products and typical foods that evoke medieval times.
Furthermore, the medieval atmosphere It is achieved thanks to the musicians, actors and jugglers who add entertainment and authenticity to the event.
The medieval markets on this date are really beautiful and fill the city with life. I'm sure you'll love them!
Furthermore, it is a very good opportunity to practice your spanish with the merchants and all the people who go to these markets 😉.
Did you know that October 9th is also celebrated Sant Dionis in Valencia?
Sant Donis, also known as San Dionisio in Spanish, was a 3rd century Christian saint in the city of Paris, France.
Sant Donís was the first bishop of Paris and was martyred and beheaded along with several of his companions by order of the Roman emperor Decius, who persecuted Christians during his reign.
Yes... poor Saint Dionysius met a terrible end.
The relationship between San Dionís and Valencia is that October 9 coincides with the commemoration of this saint.
Sant Donís is especially known in Valencia for being the pattern of lovers.
Yes, we Valencians have two Valentine's Days, February 14 and October 9, Saint Dionysius Day 🥰.
In addition, Sant Donís also became the patron saint of Valencian pastry chefs, since, on this day, people usually give their loved ones some typical sweets known as the mocaora from Valencia.
We will immediately tell you what these sweets are like and why they are given as gifts, but first we are going to talk to you a little about the legend of Saint Dionysius. You'll see how interesting.
We have already mentioned the terrible death of Sant Donís. Legends say that after being beheaded in France, Dionisio He walked six kilometers with his head under his arm through Montmartre.
This road was later known as Calle de los Mártires. At the end of his journey, he gave his head to a Roman noblewoman, Chasuble, and then died.
At that exact point the Basilica of Saint-Denis in his honor and the city was named after him.
What a cool legend! TRUE?
In fact, it is common to see statues of this saint that have the head in his hands, like in the photo above.
The tradition of October 9 as Valencian Valentine's Day dates back to the beginning of 18th century.
When the New Plant Decrees were made after the War of Succession, Valencians were prohibited from commemorating the entry of Jaume I to Valencia on October 9, a holiday in the Valencian Community that has been rooted for centuries.
Faced with this prohibition, the astute Valencian confectioners devised a form of protest: they prepared sweets in the shape of firecrackers prohibited, known as piulets and tronaors, which enjoyed great popularity.
Furthermore, they developed marzipan fruits as a tribute to the fertility of the Valencian orchards. The fruits and vegetables that the Muslims gave to the wife of Jaume I were also honored.
This tradition spread quickly and men began to buy these October 9 marzipans to give them to their loved ones.
This is how he was born Valentine's Day in Valencia. What do you think?
The mocadorà This is what is given on October 9 in Valencia.
What is the mocadorà in Valencia? We tell you:
These fruit and vegetable marzipans that were given to the beloved woman were wrapped in a handkerchief. Handkerchief in Valencian it is said mocaor, hence its name. say mocadorà It would be like saying bandalada, but in Valencian.
Nowadays, pastry chefs in Valencia prepare with enthusiasm for the day of the mocadorà of Sant Dionís and produce thousands of small figures of marzipan of fruits and vegetables.
It is estimated that more than 70,000 kilos of marzipan are used to make around 200,000 mocadoràs.
In addition, the Guild of Bakers and Pastry Chefs of Valencia organizes the Sant Donís Competition, where the best is chosen. mocadorà Valencian and the most impressive showcase among the city's pastry shops.
It is very nice because during this time of year, the bakeries in Valencia are filled with these small sweets, giving them a lot of color and charm.
Before we said something about the piuleta and the tronaor. These sweets are shaped like the firecrackers that received those names and were banned during the 18th century.
Pastry chefs made them as a form of rebellion, and as you can see, the tradition has continued to this day.
Have you already eaten some of these typical Valencian marzipans?
If not, what are you waiting for? Run to the nearest bakery and try them!
As you have seen throughout this article, October 9 is a very important date for all Valencians.
If you are going to be here on these dates, now that you know more information about its history, events and the relationship with Sant Donís and the sweets of Valentine's Day, you will surely enjoy it a lot.
Also, if you want to study Spanish, remember that you can do it with us at Hispania, Spanish school, in the same city of Valencia.
Do you already know what events you are going to go to on October 9?
Tell us in the comments.
Have a happy October 9th!
Article written by Carlos Martinez for Hispania, Spanish school
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