HUNDREDS ATTEND THE MULTICULTURAL FAIR IN JAVEA
Monday 14th November 2011

Hundreds of people attended the Intercultural Fair in Javea organized by the local Red Cross in collaboration with the Department of Social Services. The event, designed to forge ties between the different cultures living in the town, was arranged in theme-inspired tents, called "corners", which offered free samplings of typical products from the various countries, as well as traditional activities. The Arab counter offered tea, couscous, dried fruit and handicrafts such as dyed leather slippers. In the Latino corner there were arepas, empanadas, quesadillas and beverages such as Andes punch, whilst in the European corner there were sweets and snacks such as sausages.  The local Javea tent hosted an exhibition of traditional activities such as lace making (bolillo), basket weaving, or how to sew fishing nets.  There was also sweets available such as coca maria and ensaimadas. The tents were staffed by volunteers from the different countries and associations such as the Jubilados y Pensionistas Amanecer (Retirees and Pensioners) or the University of the Third Age (U3A), as well as the Fishermen’s Association.

Little by little the Placeta del Convent filled with children and adults that were given the opportunity learn about different cultures and enjoy traditional dances offered by the Grup de Danses Portitxol and the Colombian group Macondo.  The winners of the intercultural photography and short story contest were also announced. The winners in the primary school category (ages 8 to 12) were Loreto Gavila and Adriana Skelton Montero, and the short story by Andrea Briones Fernandez was chosen the best among the students from ESO (ages 13 to 16). The winners received a 150-euro gift card prize, courtesy of the Xàbia Histórica Retail Association. As for the photo contest, the winner was Antonia Bisquert Cruañes.

The fair was inaugurated by the Mayor, Jose Chulvi, and the President of the local Red Cross, José Luis Domenech. Also in attendance were the volunteers from the NGO, the Justice of the Peace, Gabriel Sapena, and several councillors such as Tere Bisquert, Doris Courcelles, Empar Bolufer, Toni Sebastia, Pepa Chorro, Juan Luis Cardona and Oscar Antón.

Source: Press Release - Xabia Ajuntament