Noche en Blanco 2015 has come and gone in Seville! This is a yearly tradition in the city. This year it took place on October 2nd. We happened on it by accident actually. The evening is dedicated to culture, with many of the museums, historic and cultural heritage sites open to all for free starting at 8PM and some staying open until 2AM.
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Some of the places open included the Seville Cathedral and Antiquarium. We were actually headed back to the Festival of Nations when we noticed the huge crowds everywhere in the center of the old city. I guess the fact that the metro was crowded all the way from where we started (the beginning of the line) should have given us a clue.
Noche en Blanco (White Night) is relatively new to the city, and l believe this is the third year that it happened. We saw really long lines for some places and then our friend read one of the signs advertising the event. I would have liked to have done the Knights of Templar route in Seville or the Sevilla Canalla, which goes through the port and brothels area 🙂 . We were close to the old Law University, and noticed it had the shortest line for entry, so that’s where we went.
We were one of the last ones let in, and the attendant closed the doors shortly after we entered. It was great, the museum was full of lovely Roman busts, and the best part was having the whole place to ourselves. It wasn’t a big museum, but the fact that we got to visit the University grounds itself was great.
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It is a fine example of Moorish and Roman design with huge columns and arches and one of the longest hallways l had ever seen! I apologize, l only had my old (won’t tell you what # Apple it is, but one of my friends in L.A laughed when l told him, he was unaware that anyone still had it 😉 ), but l don’t care.
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We were very hungry by the time we left the University grounds. That put an end to the Noche en Blanco for us. We continued on to the festival in the nearby park. What a difference from the last time we were there. The place was packed to say the least. There was entertainment that evening.
We got there in time to see a fantastic flamenco show and some traditional Sevillano dancing by a trio of dancers, along with some hip hop and vogue hybrid dance that seemed very popular with the younger kids. The main performer that evening was a man by the name of Falete, a very popular Seville born, Romani flamenco singer and performer.
Truthfully, at first sight, l thought he was a woman and our friends informed us that he was actually a man who dresses like a woman. They were surprised to see him there as his concerts are usually expensive, so it was a real treat for people to see him for free. We unfortunately, could not get close enough, we were way in the back. Had we known, l would have carried the camera.
The audience was quite the variety, it was fantastic and l was cracking up because the casitas set up with the food had tables and chairs for their customers, but l saw the older people just grabbing the chairs, moving them and sitting so they could enjoy the show till the vendors just gave up.
Everybody was familiar with his songs, they sang along. He put on quite a show, sometimes singing with a blonde woman whose name escapes me. I even danced a bit to the music along with P. who is not shy at all.. 🙂 .
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We had a blast! We stayed mostly at the Mexico section because we were able to nab a table big enough for all 5 of us to seat together after some stalking, and stayed put while the guys went to get the food, and would sneak off somewhere else, and bring the food back. We were out quite late for us..past midnight! 🙂 .
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There were still other performers to go, but we left with full stomachs and walked off some calories by walking our friend A. close to her flat while we took the metro from the center. All told, it was a very good night, a delightful surprise, and l am so glad that the city offers such a great wide variety of events.
I know Rome has their own version of Noche en Blanco called Notte Bianca, which was always fun too. I like Seville more and more with each passing day 🙂 . By the way, the last weekend, there will be a Brazilian salsa show which looks good. Too bad we won’t be in town.
Do you have a version of Noche en Blanco where you live? Would you have liked this one in Seville?
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Seville does sound better with every new finding there. I’m sure that there will be even more pleasant surprises in the future too. How cool is it to just stumble upon such a great celebration while talking a walk? That’s something that would never happen here where I live :)) I also like the fact that they also accompany everything with good food. Those ribs look delicious, like everything else too!
Oh, and my wife’s number after her iPhone is… 4. I don’t think you can beat that :)) We’re planning to get her a new phone this year though as it took quite a few beatings… 🙂
Yeah.. I am really loving it here, and l was delighted to run into it. We were originally supposed to meet the 5th person (who is from Romania originally 🙂 , but here on an internship) at the park, but she only knew the center metro stop so we four decided to meet her there, then walk to the park together, and that’s how we knew, otherwise we would have just gone for the food. The University is incredibly beautiful, the building is like a huge, humongous palace. Okay.. l can’t beat her, we have the same 4, l was asking my friend to spread the word in case someone was upgrading so we could buy their old one. Imagine, one of my nieces is waiting for me to pass my 4 to her..there’s still a lot of life left in it and my MIL is still happy with my old 3GS 😉 . Third world thinking..oh yeah!!! 🙂
Sounds like a fun night! I think L.A. has museum week if I’m not mistaken, where museums are open for free or at discounted rates. I’m glad to hear that you’re loving Seville. You’ve definitely been doing a great job of exploring your city. By the way – I’m with you. I still have my iPhone 4s although I think it’s on its way out considering that it doesn’t charge when plugged in at every outlet and I kind of have to jiggle it and play with the cord to get it to start charging. And I’m sure the phone is the culprit since the cord is new. I say, use it ’til you use it up! 🙂
I remember the old days of Boston, they had a free day at the museum every so often, but l did not know L.A had one, even though l think just recently, there is something happening downtown with the free night. We are trying to explore the city for sure, as we are really loving it, a foreign staycation.. 🙂 . We really want to explore all of Spain, it is so huge. We are hoping to trade up from our iphone 4 and 4s. Funny, l have to jiggle the cord too with my old ipad..weird!
Sounds like a nice time…but you always finish off with photos of food which just isn’t right 🙁
Frank (bbqboy)
Oooh…nice! You have to check out Calin’s blog at romaniaexperience.com. He had an article not too long ago on some great castles. He is just outside Bucharest. I’m sure he has lots of info on his beautiful country…hahhah..food will get you every time.
PS. We are in Romania and going to the Dracula Film Festival tonight. You know we won’t be served paella and mergez…
Wow, that market of food seems like the PERFECT way to close off the evening! My idea of a perfect culture + food day!:-)
It was great! :-). My idea of a fantastic day too !!!