Either you’re here as a temporary tourist or as a permanent resident, welcome to Cocentaina! Just follow these tips and you’ll easily become another socarrat –meaning ‘charred’—, which is how Cocentainers are known everywhere.
As a Mediterranean and Latin people, we like chatting —sometimes too much and too loud ;-). We can carry out that talking in any of our two official languages: Catalan (known locally as valencià) and Spanish (often referred to as castellà). Most of us socarrats are fluent in Spanish, and some can speak English as well, but you’ll get a much better attention using some words in valencià.
In August, Festes de Moros i Cristians (Moors and Christians Festival) is a must. Every year, we commemorate the foundation of the Kingdom of Valencia, almost 800 years ago. Ask for a leaflet at the Ajuntament (city Council) or at the next bakery or cafe: “Per favor, teniu el programa de les festes de Moros i Cristians?”.
Make sure you book a table at one of the terraces in el Passeig (the local rambla), at least for one of the evenings during the festival: l’Entrada –pronounced [lantrá] and meaning ‘the entering’. A nice dinner is the best way to enjoy the great parade that will take place right in front of you. Every filada —[filà] or company— wear a different costume. Some of them may seem extravagant and anachronistic, but don’t get wrong: this is no carnival. Just look at the way the participants move their feet: they are NOT dancing.
Every filada have their own band, coming from various towns around the country. Quiver with the music, marxes mores i cristianes, while you sip some mentira (a fresh local cocktail made up with lemon granita and regional coffee liqueur). Order local tapes, such as roviols (delicious poplar mushrooms) or tostons (a sweet-and-salty white variety of corn). And, of course, don’t miss our palatable croquetes de bacallà (cod croquettes).
Enjoy Cocentaina and become one among us. Furthermore, in case you’re settling here and believe in good and free education, health care, social services and welfare for everyone, don’t hesitate to join us. Compromís means ‘commitment’, not ‘compromise’. If you are open-minded, progressive and want to help us getting rid of corruption and unreliable politicians, we’ll be glad to meet you. You’re welcome!
Paula Figuerola Prats
Compromís per Cocentaina