FESTIVITIES OF TORRENT
PATRON SAINT FESTIVITIES
These festivities take place at the end of July to honour the so-called Santos de la Piedra: Abdó and Senén. Also, these celebrations include the Moors and Christians festivity with a long tradition in the town and the Community of Valencia. This last one recalls the historical conquest of Valencia by the Crown of Aragon after the moorish defeat. There are 24 parade troupes, 12 representing the moorish side and 12 representing the christian side. All of them parade in the streets of Torrent from Plaza Maestro Giner to Asilo de Santa Elena, going through Avenida Al Vedat.
During the days previous to these festivities there is also a series of commemorative events such as concerts, public meetings and contests.
There is an opening speech ceremony for the festivities, including national public figures performances and sport activities such as the traditional game pelota valenciana and also Torrent's patron saints procession.
Date: late July.
OTHER FESTIVITIES
Porrat de San Antonio Abad: On the 16 and 17 of January. The eve of the 17 of January there is a big bonfire and two or three Sundays later there is the blessing of pets, as well as the giving out of blessed bread.
L'entrà de la flor: On the 1 of February, Virgen del Rosario is offered a branch of the first almond tree in bloom. There is the so-called cordà (a fireworks show) in an enclosure.
San Blas festivity: On the 3 of February, in the neighbourhood of San Blas, there are nuts, handcrafts and food stalls. That day we can buy the typical gaiatos (pipe instrument) and sanblaiets (cookies). According to the tradition, many people go to church to put some olive oil on the throat, symbolizing that San Blas is the saint protecting from throat illnesses. The typical dish on this day is rossejat (noodles paella).
Fallas de Torrent: From the 15 to the 19 of March. All the fallas commissions participate in the making of the huge ornate cardboard figure there being 58 in total in the municipality. Around two weeks before San José Day (19 March), there is the cridà, and on the 15 there is the setting up of the fallas figures and the mascletà (a noisy firework show). On the 17 and 18 there is an offering to Virgen de los Desamparados and on the last festive day, on San José Day, there is the cremà, the fallas figures burning.
Easter Week of Torrent: It kicks off before Palm Sunday with the opening speech ceremony. On Palm Sunday there is the blessing of palms. On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Maundy Thursday each religious fraternity bear their own floats with statues representing part of Easter story through the streets. The procession ends at the Church of Monte Sion or at Museo de Semana Santa.
Virgen de los Desamparados festivity: On the 2 Sunday of May. It consists in the procession through the town's streets with Virgen de los Desamparados as the main religious statue.
Corpus Christi: The festivity of Corpus Christi generally takes place between May and mid-June. In the morning there is a big mass and in the afternoon the procession continues. Once it is over, there is a mascletà (a firework show).
Summer festivities in the neighbourhoods of Torrent: In August and September there are festivals in some of the neighbourhoods of Torrent. In some of its neighbourhoods there are the festivals to honour Virgen Blanca, from Colonia Blanca del Vedat in Torrent; the festivals of San Cayetano in theneighbourhood of San Cayetano; the festivals of Tros Alt to honour Virgen de los Ángeles; the festivals of El Pantano honouring Virgen de los Desamparados. The festivals of Muntanyeta and the festivals of Colonia de Santa Apolonia in El Vedat in Torrent are the most outstanding ones.
La Aurora festivity: The commemorative and religious acts begin on the 8 of December. Every Sunday until the 6 of January, except on Christmas Day and New Year's Day, the believers pray the rosary, the so-called aurora. Also, there is an aurora on the 16 of January.
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