April or the beginning of spring
April has been a truly interesting and enriching month for me here in Spain!
My primary focus for a good portion of the month was dedicated to working through archives that document the attractions of Valencia between 1930 and 1987. This involved carefully examining various historical index for the Hemeroteca (Valencia community’s collection specializing in press and magazines). Through this process, I’ve been gradually piecing together a picture of how entertainment and leisure evolved in Valencia over those decades. The work itself is quite detailed, requiring me to extract specific pieces of information and systematically input them into an Excel spreadsheet. It’s been interesting to see the kinds of attractions that were popular at different times and how the city presented itself to both residents and visitors.
On the cultural front, I had the opportunity to attend two distinct art exhibition openings. The first took place at the Palacio de Cervelló and showcased the artwork of Rodolfo Navarro. The setting of the historic palace added a certain atmosphere to the event, and it was interesting to see Navarro’s work in that context. The second vernissage was held in the Jardin de Viveros and presented a selection of notable pieces from the Museo Del Prado. It was quite something to take part in the see reproductions of the works from such a prestigious museum displayed on metallic boards in the open-air environment of the gardens. These events provided a chance to experience the local cultural scene and see different styles of art.
The extended weekends in April allowed for some enjoyable exploration beyond Valencia. One day was spent in Alicante, where I could experience the coastal city and also visit some of the smaller coves in the surrounding area. It was a nice change of pace to be by the sea and explore the different landscapes. Additionally, I finally had the chance to visit Madrid for the first time. A key part of my time there was spent at the Museo Reina Sofia. The museum’s collection of modern and contemporary Spanish art is impressive, and seeing works by artists like Picasso and Dalí up close was a significant experience. I’m planning to go back there soon to visit Museo Del Prado and the Thyssen Museum. Overall, the month offered a blend of focused work, cultural engagement, and the discovery of new places within Spain.
