Every year, Los Guájares holds a three day festival of culture comprising various events such as local drama group performances, exhibitions, activities for children, workshops and live music. The three villages - Guájar Alto, Guájar Faragüit and Guájar Fondón - take turns to host the festivities, and this year it was the turn of Guájar Fondón to do the honours.
Sunday, the final day, was celebrated by an open air mass, in the square by the church, to the accompaniment of a female sevillana choir, resplendent in flamenco costume. Afterwards, there was free paella for all, cooked in a giant pan in the street below. While people were queueing for their paella, they were entertained by a group of musicians dressed in mediaeval costume.
Exhibitions of paintings, crafts and photography were on display in various buildings around the square, and I was particularly impressed by the mimbre exhibition which consisted of baskets, hats, sandals, mats, etc., woven from the esparto grass which grows in the surrounding mountains. This, sadly, is a dying art and the examples on display were crafted by a local octogenarian called Antonio.
The atmosphere, typical of village events, and enhanced by perfect weather, was relaxed and pleasant.
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