CALENDAR AND FESTIVALS, FOOD AND MEALTIMES, FAMILY & SOCIETY, SOCIAL INTERACTION, LANGUAGES
Last update: July 2020
Universitat Politècnica de València www.upv.es IMPORTANT DATES & EVENTS during the academic year - OCTOBER
9th OCTOBER – REGIONAL HOLIDAY 9th OCTOBER– SANT DONÍS 12th OCTOBER – NATIONAL HOLIDAY
LOCAL EQUIVALENT OF CREATION OF THE KINGDOM OF ST. VALENTINE’S DAY SPANISH NATIONAL DAY VALENCIA BY KING JAUME I VALENCIA ONLY “DÍA DE LA HISPANIDAD” IMPORTANT DATES & EVENTS during the academic year - NOVEMBER
1ST NOVEMBER – ALL SAINT’S DAY (NATIONAL HOLIDAY)
VISITS TO CEMETERIES, FLOWERS, CANDLES… IMPORTANT DATES & EVENTS during the academic year - DECEMBER
6 DECEMBER – CONSTITUTION DAY 24-25 DECEMBER (NATIONAL HOLIDAY) NOCHEBUENA + DÍA DE NAVIDAD 8 DECEMBER – CATHOLIC HOLIDAY NOCHEBUENA (24) DÍA DE NAVIDAD (25)
PAPÁ NOEL (SANTA CLAUS) POPULAR ONLY SINCE THE 1980s-1990s IMPORTANT DATES & EVENTS during the academic year - JANUARY
IN SPANISH TRADITION, THE 3 WISE MEN FROM THE EAST BRING PRESENTS TO CHILDREN (LOS REYES MAGOS)
5 JANUARY: PARADES AND ARRIVAL OF THE KINGS
IN THE CITY CENTER OF ALCOI, KINGS’ ASSISTANTS ACTUALLY DELIVER THE PRESENTS THROUGH WINDOWS AND BALCONIES
6 JANUARY: A SPECIAL PASTRY IS SERVED FOR DESSERT ON 6 JANUARY
ROSCÓN DE REYES CABALGATA DE REYES - ALCOI CABALGATA DE REYES - ALCOI IMPORTANT DATES & EVENTS during the academic year - FEBRUARY
CHINESE NEW YEAR IN VALENCIA CARNIVAL ALCOI, GANDIA VALENCIA (districts of Benimaclet and Russafa) IMPORTANT DATES & EVENTS during the academic year - MARCH 14-19 MARCH “FALLAS” FESTIVAL IN VALENCIA, GANDIA AND ALL OF THE PROVINCE OF VALENCIA
Hundreds of artistic monuments are built on the streets (every district)
MASCLETÀ IN VALENCIA: PYROTECHNIC EVENT EVERY DAY AT 14:00 FROM 1 TO 19 MARCH IMPORTANT DATES & EVENTS during the academic year - MARCH 14-19 MARCH “FALLAS” FESTIVAL IN VALENCIA, GANDIA AND ALL OF THE PROVINCE OF VALENCIA
MASCLETÀ IN VALENCIA: PYROTECHNIC EVENT EVERY DAY 14:00 FROM 1 TO 19 MARCH
Hundreds of artistic monuments are built on the streets (every district) IMPORTANT DATES & EVENTS during the academic year - MARCH 14-19 MARCH “FALLAS” FESTIVAL IN VALENCIA, GANDIA AND ALL OF THE PROVINCE OF VALENCIA
OFFICIAL MONUMENT BUILT ON VALENCIA CITY COUNCIL SQUARE IMPORTANT DATES & EVENTS during the academic year - MARCH 19 MARCH (MIDNIGHT) “FALLAS” MONUMENTS ARE BURNED
END OF THE FALLAS FESTIVAL IMPORTANT DATES & EVENTS during the academic year – APRIL
ALCOI: FIESTAS DE MOROS Y CRISTIANOS
23-24 APRIL PARADES WITH CHRISTIAN AND MOORISH TROOPS , BATTLES , COMBATS AND FIGHTS BETWEEN BOTH SIDES
Pictures from https://www.asjordi.org IMPORTANT DATES & EVENTS during the academic year – APRIL SEMANA SANTA Y PASCUA (EASTER HOLIDAYS)
SEMANA SANTA MARINERA (CABAÑAL DISTRICT)
MONA DE PASCUA RELIGIOUS PARADES ARE QUITE COLOURFUL
VERY POPULAR IN GANDIA AND VALENCIA SEASIDE DISTRICTS IMPORTANT DATES & EVENTS during the academic year – MAY
1 MAY – INTERNATIONAL WORKERS’ DAY VARIABLE DATE– FEAST OF CORPUS CHRISTY IN VALENCIA
FEAST OF CORPUS CHRISTI
NATIONAL HOLIDAY, WORKERS AND UNIONS MARCH ON THE STREETS IMPORTANT DATES & EVENTS during the academic year – JUNE 24 JUNE: NOCHE DE SAN JUAN (summer solstice)
VALENCIA AND GANDIA: BONFIRES AND PARTY ON THE BEACH ALCOI: ARTISTIC MONUMENTS TO BE BURNED SPANISH & VALENCIAN CUISINE VALENCIAN PAELLA
PAELLA OTHER KINDS OF RICE (WE DON’T CALL IT “PAELLA”)
PAELLA MEANS “WIDE FLAT PAN”. ARROZ DE VERDURAS (WITH VEGETABLES ONLY) ARROZ A BANDA (COOKED IN FISH STOCK, WITH SMALL PIECES OF FISH AND PEELED D SEAFOOD)
A TRUE PAELLA IS A VERY THIN LAYER OF RICE ARROZ MELOSO CON… (CREAMY RICE WITH….) (1 FINGER), NOT A MOUNTAIN OF INGREDIENTS ARROZ CALDOSO CON ….. (THICK RICE SOUP WITH..) ARRÒS AL FORN (COOKED IN THE OVEN) SPANISH & VALENCIAN CUISINE VALENCIAN PAELLA
PAELLA VALENCIANA UNACCEPTABLE IN PAELLA VALENCIA
BAJOQUETA GREEN PEAS 2 VEGETABLES (FLAT GREEN BEAN) PEPPER GARROFÓN { ARTICHOKE (LOCAL WHITE BEAN) CHICKEN ONION RABBIT PORK 2 MEATS SEA FOOD {(SOMETIMES) SNAILS LONG GRAIN RICE FIDEUÀ DE GANDIA
COOKED ON A “PAELLA” (WIDE FLAT PAN)
MADE WITH PASTA (SMALL NOODLES )
FISH STOCK + PIECES OF FISH AND SEAFOOD OR SHELLFISH OLLETA DE ALCOI
TRADITIONAL WINTER STEW
WHITE BEANS
PORK MEAT AND SAUSAGES
VEGETABLES (TURNIP, PARSNIP, CHARD) MEAL TIMES IN SPAIN
7:00-9:00 DESAYUNO (BREAKFAST) 10:30-11:30 ALMUERZO (MID-MORNING SNACK/2nd BREAKFAST) MEAL TIMES 13:30-15:30 COMIDA (LUNCH) 17:30-18:30 MERIENDA (AFTERNOON SNACK) {21:00-22:30 CENA (DINNER)
IN BIG CITIES AND TOURISTIC PLACES IT IS EASY TO FIND RESTAURANTS WITH “OPEN KITCHEN” WHERE YOU CAN HAVE FOOD OUTSIDE THE STANDARD SPANISH HOURS
IN SMALLER OR MORE “LOCAL” PLACES, DON’T EXPECT A PROPER WARM MEAL OUTSIDE THOSE TIMES MEAL TIMES IN SPAIN
7:00-9:00 DESAYUNO (BREAKFAST) 10:30-11:30 ALMUERZO (MID-MORNING SNACK -2nd BREAKFAST) MEALS 13:30-15:30 COMIDA (LUNCH) 17:30-18:30 MERIENDA (AFTERNOON SNACK) {21:00-22:30 CENA (DINNER) VERY POPULAR IN VALENCIA REGION
EL ALMUERZO / EL ESMORZAR(et) VALENCIAN “BRUNCH” MEAL TIMES IN SPAIN ALMUERZO /ESMORZAR(et)
7:00-9:00 DESAYUNO (BREAKFAST) 10:30-11:30 ALMUERZO (MID-MORNING SNACK) MEALS 13:30-15:30 COMIDA (LUNCH) 17:30-18:30 MERIENDA (AFTERNOON SNACK) {21:00-22:30 CENA (DINNER)
SUPER-TRADITIONAL VERSION:
SANDWICH WITH FRENCH BREAD, OLIVES / PEANUTS + A DRINK (COFFEE OR EVEN BEER) SPANISH & VALENCIAN CUISINE SOME POINTS IN RESTAURANTES WE LIKE SHARING DISHES: BREAD IS SERVED WITH MOST MEALS PLATOS AL CENTRO / PARA COMPARTIR (YOUNGER GENERATIONS CONSUME LESS BREAD)
IN EVERYDAY MEALS, FRUIT OR DAIRY PRODUCTS ARE LA SOBREMESA: AFTER A MEAL, WE ENJOY EXTENDING VERY COMMON FOR DESSERT THE CONVERSATION FOR HOURS OVER COFFEE, LIQUOR….
ON WEEKENDS, THE HOLIDAYS, SPECIAL OCCASIONS, ALSO DURING BUSINESS MEALS SPANISH & VALENCIAN CUISINE SEA FOOD
SEPIA (CUTTLEFISH) SPANISH & VALENCIAN CUISINE SEA FOOD
SEPIA (CUTTLEFISH)
TELLINA (LOCAL TINY CLAMS) SPANISH & VALENCIAN CUISINE SEAFOOD
SEPIA (CUTTLEFISH) CALAMARES
TELLINA (LOCAL TINY CLAMS) SPANISH & VALENCIAN CUISINE SEAFOOD
SEPIA (CUTTLEFISH) CALAMARES
TELLINA (LOCAL TINY CLAMS) PUNTILLA (FRIED BABY SQUID) SPANISH & VALENCIAN CUISINE ‘’COCA’’ COCA SALADA COCA DULCE (SIMILAR TO CRUSTY PIZZA) (SPONGE CAKE)
MANY VERSIONS
Roasted tomatoes, roasted peppers, COCA DE LLANDA: plain, only sugar, full baking tray sardines, sausages… ALMENDRA: almond NARANJA: orange zest LIMÓN: lemmon zest CALABAZA: pumkin SPANISH & VALENCIAN CUISINE NON-ALCOHOLIC DRINKS
ZUMO DE NARANJA NATURAL HORCHATA (ORXATA)
BEST SEASON: OCTOBER - APRIL SWEET DRINK MADE FROM “CHUFA / XUFA “,
IN ENGLISH “TIGERNUT” OR “EARTH ALMOND” (it grows under the earth and fields are covered in water like rice paddies) SPANISH & VALENCIAN CUISINE ALCOHOLIC DRINKS
AGUA DE VALENCIA (VALENCIA “WATER”) MISTELA
FRESH ORANGE JUICE, CAVA, VODKA + GIN, ICE LOCAL SWEET WINE, TYPICAL AFTER MEALS SPANISH & VALENCIAN CUISINE ALCOHOLIC DRINKS
CAFÉ LICOR (COFFEE LIQUOR) HERBERO TRADITIONAL IN ALCOI
SWEET LIQUOUR INFUSED WITH HERBS SPANISH & VALENCIAN CUISINE TYPICAL BREAKFAST IN A BAR (also at home)
SALTY : BREAD WITH GRATED TOMATO TOSTADAS CON TOMATE SPANISH & VALENCIAN CUISINE TYPICAL BREAKFAST IN A BAR (also at home)
SALTY : BREAD WITH GRATED TOMATO AND CURED HAM TOSTADAS CON TOMATE Y JAMÓN SPANISH & VALENCIAN CUISINE TYPICAL BREAKFAST IN A BAR (also at home)
SALTY : BREAD WITH TOMATO AND SOFT CHEESE SWEET BREAKFAST : CHURROS WITH CHOCOLATE TOSTADAS CON TOMATE Y QUESO FRESCO SPANISH & VALENCIAN CUISINE TYPICAL BREAKFAST IN A BAR (also at home)
SALTY : BREAD WITH TOMATO AND SOFT CHEESE SWEET BREAKFAST : CHURROS WITH CHOCOLATE TOSTADAS CON TOMATE Y QUESO FRESCO
IN WINTER, ON WEEKENDS OR ON THE STREET DURING FALLAS FESTIVAL OPENING HOURS SUPERMARKETS 9:00 to 21:00 (9:30 TO 21:30) OPENING HOURS SMALL SHOPS SUPERMARKETS 9:00 to 21:00 (9:30 TO 21:30) 10:00 – 14:00 (BREAK) 17:00 – 20:00
Sometimes also small supermarkets in small towns OPENING HOURS SMALL SHOPS SUPERMARKETS 9:00 to 21:00 (9:30 TO 21:30) 10:00 – 14:00 (BREAK) 17:00 – 20:00
RESTAURANTS LUNCH: 13:30 – 15:30 DINNER: 21:00 – 23:00
IN TOURIST DESTINATIONS AND MAJOR CITIES, IT IS EASIER TO FIND SOME RESTAURANTS WITH AN “OPEN KITCHEN” CONCEPT OPENING HOURS SMALL SHOPS SUPERMARKETS 9:00 to 21:00 (9:30 TO 21:30) 10:00 –14:00 (BREAK) 17:00 – 20:00
RESTAURANTS LUNCH: 13:30 – 15:30 DINNER: 21:00 – 23:00
UPV CAFETERIAS RUSH HOUR: 14:30 – 15:30 SPANISH TIMETABLE SPANISH PEOPLE GO TO BED LATE PRIME TIME ON TV, 22:30 FAMILY NAMES IN SPAIN SPANISH PEOPLE ALWAYS KEEP THEIR FAMILY NAME WHEN THEY GET MARRIED
{ FAMILY NAMES IN SPAIN If the parents have different family names, what happends with the children?
{ FAMILY NAMES IN SPAIN
LEGALLY COMMONLY FATHER’S FAMILY NAME FIRST, THEN 2 FAMILY THE MOTHER’S FAMILY NAME NAMES { RECENTLY, THE ORDER CAN BE CHOSEN BY PARENTS
{ FAMILY
PARENTS & CHILDREN EXTENDED FAMILY FREQUENT CONTACT WITH GRANDPARENTS, { UNCLES, AUNTS & COUSINS FAMILY
Growing % of households with 1 person (25,7% in 2019) FAMILIES Growing % of families with 1 parent only EVOLVE Decreasing number of children More non-religous than religious marriages (80%-20%) {LGTB+ families
equal marriage & LGBT adoption since 2005 PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS AND PERSONAL SPACE (pre-COVID19)
KISSING IN PUBLIC HUGS
HOLDING HANDS PEOPLE IN SPAIN ARE QUITE “TOUCHY-FEELY” COMPARED WITH OTHER COUNTRIES PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS AND PERSONAL SPACE (pre-COVID19) WHEN YOU MEET SOMEONE
2 KISSES ON THE CHEEK
SHAKE HANDS { PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS AND PERSONAL SPACE (pre-COVID19) WHEN YOU MEET SOMEONE
GIRL + GIRL
2 KISSES BOY + GIRL ON THE CHEEK BOY +BOY (MORE UNUSUAL) (FAMILY , SOMETIMES CLOSE FRIENDS , TOO )
SHAKING HANDS { PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS AND PERSONAL SPACE(pre-COVID19) WHEN YOU MEET SOMEONE
GIRL + GIRL
2 KISSES BOY + GIRL ON THE CHEEK BOY +BOY (MORE UNUSUAL) (FAMILY , SOMETIMES CLOSE FRIENDS , TOO )
BOY + BOY SHAKING HANDS PROFESSIONAL { (UNKNOWN PEOPLE) PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS AND PERSONAL SPACE (pre-COVID19) WHEN YOU MEET SOMEONE
GIRL + GIRL
2 KISSES BOY + GIRL ON THE CHEEK BOY +BOY (MORE UNUSUAL) (FAMILY , SOMETIMES CLOSE FRIENDS , TOO )
BOY + BOY SHAKING HANDS PROFESSIONAL { (UNKNOWN PEOPLE) LANGUAGES IN THE VALENCIA REGION
2 OFFICIAL LANGUAGES
VALENCIANO Less frequent in larger cities like (Valencia and Alicante) Very present in everyday life in smaller towns
CASTELLANO / ESPAÑOL in bilingual regions of spain, people prefer NOT to call it “español”
In monolingual areas of Spain, most people call it “español” LANGUAGES IN SPAIN Bilingualareas(Spanish+ regional language)
Monolingual areas (Spanish only)
Linguistically, Valencian is one of the varieties of Catalan-Valencian language system Socially (in terms of identity), Valencian is considered a language of its own by a large percentage of users in the Valencia region and they do not like to call it Catalan SPANISH / CASTELLANO in the Valencia Region
IN ORAL SPANISH, PEOPLE OFTEN ADD AN AFFECTIONATE NAME AT THE END OF A SENTENCE TO ADDRESS A CUSTOMER / STRANGER ON THE STREET (MORE OFTEN THAN IN OTHER PARTS OF SPAIN) REINA/REY – QUEEN/KING BONICO/A – CUTIE GUAPO/A – BEAUTIFUL AMOR – LOVE / SWEETHEART CARIÑO – DARLING Do not mistake this with flirting, they are just being affectionate and kind ! SPANISH LANGUAGE OTHERS… ¿Qué te pongo, reina/rey? ¿Qué te pongo, guapa/o? ¿Qué te pongo, cariño? Hasta mañana, bonica
(Less frequent between 2 men)
REINA/REY – QUEEN/KING BONICO/A – CUTIE GUAPO/A – BEAUTIFUL AMOR – LOVE / SWEETHEART CARIÑO – DARLING Do not mistake with flirting, they are just being affectionate and kind ! SPANISH LANGUAGE OTHERS… SPANISH LANGUAGE OTHERS…
FRIENDS & FAMILY OLDER PEOPLE CO- STUDENTS ADMINISTRATION YOUR TEACHERS (NOT ALWAYS) AUTHORITIES
MOST PEOPLE IN SPAIN LIKE TO BE ADDRESSED TO WITH THE INFORMAL “TÚ” INSTEAD OF THE MORE FORMAL “USTED” (LESS COMMON IN OTHER SPANISH SPEAKING COUNTRIES) People often say: “no me trates de usted, que me haces muy mayor” (don’t call be by “usted”, you make me feel old) SPANISH LANGUAGE OTHERS…
FRIENDS & FAMILY OLDER PEOPLE CO- STUDENTS ADMINISTRATION YOUR TEACHERS (NOT ALWAYS) AUTHORITIES
MOST PEOPLE IN SPAIN LIKE TO BE ADDRESSED TO WITH THE INFORMAL “TÚ” INSTEAD OF THE MORE FORMAL “USTED” (LESS COMMON IN OTHER SPANISH SPEAKING COUNTRIES) People often say: “no me trates de usted, que me haces muy mayor” (don’t call be by “usted”, you make me feel old)
At university, with teaching staff, use the formal usted first; Often they will respond SPANISH LANGUAGE OTHERS…
FRIENDS & FAMILY OLDER PEOPLE CO- STUDENTS ADMINISTRATION YOUR TEACHERS (NOT ALWAYS) AUTHORITIES
MOST PEOPLE IN SPAIN LIKE TO BE ADDRESSED TO WITH THE INFORMAL “TÚ” INSTEAD OF THE MORE FORMAL “USTED” (LESS COMMON IN OTHER SPANISH SPEAKING COUNTRIES) People often say: “no me trates de usted, que me haces muy mayor” (don’t call be by “usted”, you make me feel old)
At university, with teaching staff, use the formal usted first; Often they will respond SPANISH LANGUAGE OTHERS…
FRIENDS & FAMILY OLDER PEOPLE CO- STUDENTS ADMINISTRATION YOUR TEACHERS (NOT ALWAYS) AUTHORITIES
MOST PEOPLE IN SPAIN LIKE TO BE ADDRESSED TO WITH THE INFORMAL “TÚ” INSTEAD OF THE MORE FORMAL “USTED” (LESS COMMON IN OTHER SPANISH SPEAKING COUNTRIES) People often say: “no me trates de usted, que me haces muy mayor” (don’t call be by “usted”, you make me feel old)
At university, with teaching staff, use the formal usted first; Often they will respond Or “Puedes tutearme / Trátame de tú / Tutéame” FIN, THE END