An Overview of October: New Friends, Old Anthems, and Culinary Treats
October was marked by significant activity, beginning with preparations for the Día de la Comunitat Valenciana festivities. I was involved in supporting the Servicio Patrimonio y Histórico team in the final logistical planning for the October 9th celebrations. A major focus was preparing the Senyera—Valencia’s flag—for the Civic Procession through the city centre. This involved readying the Senyera Móvil, the custom vehicle designed to protect the flag from any accidental mishandling during its transport, ensuring its dignity is maintained.
Ultimately, the weather intervened. Heavy rainfall led to the cancellation of the main procession. Consequently, the Senyera did not parade through the streets but was instead featured in a brief, symbolic procession within the Salón de Cristal of the Ayuntamiento. While the weather was disappointing, the core of the tradition was upheld within the municipal building.
This year also commemorates the centenary of the Valencian Community’s anthem. To mark this occasion, a key task was overseeing the relocation of the original manuscript. We moved the document from the Museo de la Ciudad to the Museo Histórico, where it has been installed in a secure showcase for public viewing. It was a privilege to contribute to the display of this important piece of regional heritage.
My ongoing responsibility of cataloguing the City Hall’s assets continued throughout the month. This involved inventorying and mapping the location of various plinths and display cases. The work was boosted by my involvement in the dismantling of the exhibition “A la luz de la Salud mental” at the Atarazanas. This particular exhibition required a substantial amount of municipal furniture, including several plinths that were purpose-built. Participating in the pack-down was an efficient way to verify and update my comprehensive inventory records.
In parallel, I worked on the administrative process for the Premio Senyera de Artes Visuales 2025, an award that promotes local contemporary artists. My specific role was dedicated to collecting and consolidating the scores submitted by the various jury members to determine the ten finalists. It provided a fascinating glimpse into the current trends and talent within the local art scene. The public will be able to view an exhibition showcasing the top 20 submissions starting on November 21st.
Beyond my official duties, the beginning of the month offered a welcome opportunity for networking. I met the newest cohort of volunteers who have recently joined the Amics association. It was a positive gathering, and I established some promising new connections. I intend to maintain these contacts in the coming weeks.
Outside of my main duties, the beginning of the month was a great opportunity to connect socially. I met the newest volunteers who recently joined the Amics association. It was a really nice gathering, and I made some promising new acquaintances. I’m definitely planning to keep in touch with them in the coming weeks.
A personal highlight was being able to attend Tastarròs on October 18th and 19th. This event celebrates Valencian rice and local gastronomy. The opportunity arose to sample a wide array of paellas and other rice specialties, which were excellent. Furthermore, receiving 70 tokens for free meant I could bring my flatmates along to enjoy the culinary experience. It was an enjoyable weekend spent appreciating a fundamental part of the region’s culture and cuisine.
Looking ahead, the workload for November appears to be somewhat lighter. I plan to take advantage of the relatively mild climate to continue exploring the city. I also look forward to visiting the two newly discovered wine bars in November, allowing for a more relaxed pace after a very active October.
