Albacete Fair

The Fair of Albacete is celebrated from 7–17 September in the city of Albacete, Spain, to honor the Virgen de los Llanos, which translates to Virgin of the Plains. It was declared Festivity of international interest and takes place in the permanent fairground commonly known as 'the Pan' or 'the Circles' situated near the centre of the city. It has a very well-known bullfighting activities, as well as many other activities, and the city swells to quadruple its inhabitants during the festivity.

The first mentions of the annual fair date back of the first decade of 1200. Its importance was increasing during the centuries, which led the Catholic Monarchs to recognize it. But without any doubt, the most historical date for the fair and the city was the 6 March 1710 during the Spanish war of succession, the first Borbon, Felipe V, gave the city the privilege of realizing an annual franc fair for the length of four days in which year by year turn into ten as in the actual times.

The fairground building was built in 1783. It has a 'pan' shape, and it is an example of manchegan architecture towards a commercial goal. The body of the Pan has concentric rings which held the commercial stands.

History

Testimonies from the 15th century were found which talk about a regular market held in Feria' Street. The market lasted for 10 days, which started from 30 November, and later on from 28 August. This street still preserves its name, linking the San Juan's Cathedral with the Santa Catalina's plains, where now stands the Fairground Building.

In the 17th century the market was moved outside the centre of the city, as an economic activity parallel to the parade that took place every 8 September to the place of Los Llanos. There, in 1672, near the chapel of the Virgin, a Franciscan convent was founded. In 1683, it was requested to the king Carlos III that he declare the franc fair for 3 days (7, 8 and 9 September) and its location in the convent proximities, in the place of Los Llanos, because it increases the chances of getting alms.

Even though this request was not fulfilled, 6 March 1710, Philip V gave the city the privilege of a franc fair for 4 days (from 7 to 11 September) and the city hall disposed that it should take place in the urban center, in the Main Street and the Main Square, but the traders still went to the place of Los Llanos. During the period from 1710 and 1712, which is defined as the divided fair, it was celebrated 2 days in the place commanded by the city hall, and the rest in the former place near the Franciscan convent.

The attempts to take the fair back to Albacete drove the city Hall to buy some market building to build the Fairground Building, but this project never took place. In 1783 there was an agreement to build those buildings in the Plain of Santa Catalina, following the sketch of the Spanish architect Josef Ximenez. They were inaugurated 7 September 1783, and completely finished the next year. From that time, the fair was held in the urban center of Albacete.

The fair did not take place during the years 1937 and 1938 due to the Spanish Civil War.

Alterations of the Fairground Building

During the time of its inauguration in 1783, the building, built over the course of 33 days, consisted only of the exterior walls and the interior circle. It was finished in the following year, 1784.

Among the alterations and ampliations which took place in the Fairground Building from its beginnings, we emphasize:

*In 1876, the columns of the central circles were replaced by iron ones.
*Until 1877, there was a fountain for the cattle in the center of the building. The fountain was removed and substituted by a kiosk.
*In 1912, the modernist kiosk was built, which was since restored and still exists.
*In 1944, some major work was done to make the building bigger, adding a third circle to the Pan, the exposition room and two more saloons at the entrance.
*In 1974 the neoclassic façade was changed into white bricks, following the design of the architect Manuel Carrilero.
*Between 2008 and 2010, due to the 300th anniversary of the fair, major improvements were made to the fairgrounds and surrounding areas, including subterranean parking under the "Paseo." One of the major improvements was a new iron gate, similar to the old one on the entrance of Los Jardinillos, in front of the Bullfighting ring.

Traditions

Opening Parade

The opening parade is the first event of La Feria. Its mission is to take the image of the virgin of Los Llanos to the Recinto Ferial, finishing with the opening of the main gate (Puerta de Hierros) of the building. This opening is carried out during the night since 1909. Before 1909, it was performed in the morning.

The parade typically has about 100 floats, brass bands and manchegas with the typical costumes. The parade starts in Avenida de España and finishes in the main gate of the Recinto Ferial, when the mayor of the city opens the gate and fireworks are shot off. In 2008, the fireworks were replaced by a light and sound spectacle. This is the official opening of the fair. After that, the image of the Virgen de Los Llanos is taken to her chapel, where it will be for the next 10 days.

Floral offering

A floral offering has been organized by the Peña Templete since 1989. Almost 20,000 people participate in it the first Sunday of the fair. The offering starts in the cathedral and ends at the gate of the Chapel inside the Recinto Ferial. In its balcony, the image of the Virgen is represented.
The distribution of the Fair has different parts:

The walk

At the beginning of the walk, several tombolas and games are installed. The ''Cáritas Tombola'', traditionally managed by Cáritas, collects proceeds that are donated for benefic causes. Its origin starts in 1953, when it was created to build houses for the working-class people. After the tombolas, there's a children attractions area, and at the end some food stands.

Los Ejidos

Los Ejidos, the place surrounding the fairgrounds, is where cattle used to be sold. It lost that use when machinery began being used in the fields instead of animal labor.

Now, the area hosts a music pavilion for free concerts, craftwork and toys stands, stalls for businesses, and other larger fair attractions.

The Inner Circle

The stands and pavilion located in Los Ejidos are still open until the early morning. At the end of the main walk of the Pan, there are several stands where different associations and commerce groups exhibit products from different parts of Castilla la Mancha. One of the typical things of the fair are the Miguelitos de la Roda, a puff pastry filled with custard and powder sugar on top.

There is also a knife exhibition opened to the public with great art pieces of the Albacete knife industry, displayed year round at th
Museum of Knives

Until 2007, there was a ''toro de fuego of Barrax''. The "toro" was a cart with firecrackers held by a person who walked the area. The spectacle was removed due to its potential danger.

Notes and references

Albacete y su feria, ligadas en el tiempo. Portal de Noticias La Cerca (19-09-2007)
*Varios autores. ''Libro del III centenario Feria de Albacete (número 1).'' Editora municipal. Albacete, 2007.

References

External links

Tres artículos sobre la historia de la Feria de Albacete, desglosada año a año.





Web sobre la Feria de Albacete en Albacity desde 2003

Web oficial de la Feria de Albacete

Web sobre el Centenario de la Feria

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Albacete
Castilian culture
Fairs in Spain