NEWS SNIPPETS FROM VALENCIA - POPULATION = 4.8 MILLION

Valencia's Fallas Fiestas commenced with a ceremony from the top of the Serrano XVth century Serrano Towers, known as the Call or Crida of the Fallera Queens, to everyone in Valencia to participate in the Fiestas that end with the burning of gigantic papier mâché monuments on the dot of midnight, the 19th March.

During the Crida ceremony, Rita Barbera, Mayoress of Valencia, gave the Key of the City to the Fallera Queens, and then they all proceeded to the Basilica in Valencia to present bouquets of flowers to the Virgin of Waifs and Stray - Virgen de Los Desamparados.

Rita Barbera, Mayoress of Valencia, started the Popular Party election campaign with a round of activities that included a visit with the many Mayoresses of towns around Valencia (top photo), while in the photo on the left she is seen with the President of the Valencian Government, Francisco Camps, when he presented Esteban Gonzalez, the Valencian candidate to represent Valencia in the Madrid government at the upcoming General Elections on the 9th March.

Alberto Catala, chairman of Valencia Trade Fairs (at the front in the photo), presented a new organisation chart divided into six groups for the Trade Fairs with a view to improving trade aspects and increasing business.

Ignacio Mateu will head the Habitat and Cevisama Fairs that will serve as umbrella for all the furniture, lighting fixtures, decoration, art, ceramic tiles, and kitchen and bath equipment fairs.

Miguel Bixquert will run the Technical and Equipment Fairs that include Fimma Maderalia, Demogar, Idinova, and Ecofira.

Rafael Cubel will direct Consumer Goods Fairs such Vinoelite, Restalimed, Euroagro, Fimmi, Puericultura, Carnival, Funerals, Jewellery, Sports, and Bakery, among others.

Guillermo Dasi will head the Final Consumer Fairs such as Fiestas and Weddings, Antiquarian, Automobiles, Vintage Vehicles, Nautical, Urban Planning, and Franchise.

Vicente Ibañez will direct the Institutional and Social Advance Fairs such as Tourism, Foinvest, Energy, and Labour.

Finally, Stefan Kokkes will be in charge of managing the Events Centre of Valencia Trade Fairs and attracting foreign business.

All six directors will have sub directors and assistants at their disposal to ensure maximum success in the new enterprise.

Alfonso Grau, Deputy Mayor of Valencia (third from the right in the photo), accompanied by Juan Santon, Town Hall Counsellor of International Relations (extreme right in the photo), received a delegation from Finland in the Valencia Town Hall.

The Finnish delegation were mainly interested in the traffic in the Port of Valencia, and included Henry Lindelöf, Mayor of the City of Kotka and chairman of its Port Authority; Matti Aura, manager of the Finnish Port Association; Tapani Lankilen, Vice chairman of Finpro Europe; and Marcelino Alamar, Honorary Consul of Finland in Valencia.

Kotka, a city located in south Finland, has a population of over 50,000. Its industrial port has experienced a 10% growth over the past year, and Mr. Grau said he hoped that trade routes could be established between Valencia and Kotka, that would act as a gateway to northern Europe and even Russia.

During the Cruz Campo Best Tapa Competition held in Valencia, the tapa or hors-d'oeuvre chosen as the one best suited to eat with beer, was "Cocido Serrano" made by the Bodega de la Goyesca and won a 1,500 euro prize and a plaque.

Second prize of 1,000 euro and a plaque went to "Crujiente de Longostino con Romescu" by La Malquerida Restaurant, and third prize of 500 euro and a plaque was won by the La Botifarra Restaurant for its "Longaniza de Roquefort" tapa.

Finally the public present chose the "Carrillera de Iberico con Cebolla Caramelizado" by the Di...Vino Restaurant, as the most popular.

Carlos Sanz (Soria 1960) exhibits 30 works of art that include paintings, sculptures, and other objects, in the Lametro Art Gallery located in the Colon Station of the Valencia Underground. The exhibition is organized by Valencia Government Railways (FGV) and will remain open to the public till the 11th April with the following timetable: Monday from 03:00 p.m. to 08:00 p.m.; Tuesday to Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 03:00 p.m. and from 04:00 p.m. to 08:00 p.m.; and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 03:00 p.m.

	The Valencia County Council has presented a programme developed by the collective municipalities of the Valley of Albaida with the slogan "Open the Doors of the Valley" that includes weekly guided visits to different areas of the Valley. The first visit is to Onteniente on the first of March and the tours will continue every weekend to a different location till the first of June when the programme ends with a visit to Olleria. All tours start at eleven o'clock in the morning from the Town Hall of each location as set out below.
SATURDAY 01st March - Onteniente 08th March - Salem 15th March - Albaida 05th April - Beniganim 12th April - Bocairent 19th April - Aielo de Malferit 26th April - Agullent 10th May - Palomar 17th May - Guadassequies 24th May - Montaverner 31st May - Sempere-Benissuera	SUNDAY 02nd March - Otos 09th March - Llutxent 16th March - Fontanars del Alforins 06th April - Beniatjar 13th April - Atzeneta de Albaida 20th April - Castello de Rugat 27th April - Montitxelvo 11th May - Pinet 18th May - La Pobla del Duc 25th May - Quatretonda 01st June - Olleria

Valencian Government Railways (FGV), to celebrate the second year of the Lametro Art Gallery sponsored by the Vossloh Company in Valencia, carried out an art auction to collect funds for several charities, that was enlivened with music from the Jesus de Medinaceli and Our Lady of the Redemption Band of Bugles and Drums.

The auction was presented by Marisa Gracia., managing directress of FGV, and artists Muz Martinez, Helma Vanrens, Patricia Azcarate, Marusela Granell, Horacio Silva, Carles Albert, Roberto Diaz, Curro Canavesse and Monica Bastians, all donated samples of their work, that fetched a total of 18,700 euro.

We advise our readers that a fault in the electronic system of the gear shift of Fiat automatic drive cars, causes sudden stoppages that can produce whiplash to the driver. This has been the experience of our editor while driving an automatic Fiat Stilo Abarth. The stoppages are also highly dangerous if they take place when passing out another vehicle, or in heavy traffic.