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WARNING: YOU ARE STRONLGY ADVISED TO SKIP BREAKFAST BEFORE ATTENDING!
The annual Matanza (or pig butchering and pork eating event) is taking place in Alhama de Murcia on February 7 and 8 after a four-year absence due to the coronavirus pandemic relatively recently.
This is a great chance for expats to learn more about how the traditional meat products of the region are made, as well as sample them (of course!). Although the matanza traditionally begins with the killing and bleeding of a pig (or various pigs), in this case the slaughter is carried out beforehand in a commercial abattoir, sparing the more squeamish visitors an experience which could otherwise put them off their food!
Throughout the weekend a marquee will be in place at the Nueva Espuña fairground, hosting the tasting of products, displays, workshops and other activities, and there is usually musical entertainment on offer as well.
It is probably fair to say that as modern-day city dwellers from a country in which meat is "processed " for our consumption, the British are used to the idea that meat and meat products are sold ready-processed and sanitised in our supermarkets. But in the Region of Murcia meat is viewed almost with reverence: an animal is not a bland piece of meat in a supermarket packet, it represents many months of work and care to bring it to the table, and a great deal of work and skill to convert a pig into food for the months ahead.
In the past rural families would rear and grow their own food, and the annual "matanza" was the day on which the family pig was killed and the work undertaken to convert it into products which could be stored and eaten over a period of months.
Processing a pig is a skilled and labour-intensive job as not a scrap of the animal is wasted, every tiny part processed into sausages or cured: "the only part of a pig which can’t be eaten is its squeak", as the saying has it.
The process traditionally involves several people, and in days gone by either skilled professionals were called in to do the job or the entire family gathered to do the work together. This evolved into an annual celebration, with food and drink the centre of the occasion.
The program of events scheduled over the weekend in Alhama includes the following - and although vegetarians are welcome, we recommend they bring a packed lunch!!
Saturday February 7
9.30: The festival marquee opens at the Nueva Espuña fairground and from 10.00 onwards the traditional butchering of a pig takes place and the preparation of cold meats and delicatessen products begins. These include morcillas and sausages as well as chops, fillets and steaks, and this year pans of “magra con tomate” (lean meat with tomato sauce), a popular bar favourite, are being cooked.
10.30: The opening of the exhibition “La Fiesta de la Matanza en Alhama” by Mayoress Rosa Sánchez Bishop. On display are tools, instruments and equipment related to the process of a matanza, as well as photographs of the last edition of the event.
11.45: Live entertainment from the traditional music group Cantores de Alhama.
11.55: Work begins on the preparation of a paella with fresh pork meat, prepared by a multiple cooking competition winner Victoria Andreo and her team.
12.30: Live traditional music from the strings group of the Centro de Mayores.
12.30: Free “salchichas” and “morcillas” (pork sausages and sweetened black sausages) for all!!
13.00: Live entertainment from the traditional music groups Músicos de Sonata and the Cuadrilla de La Costera.
13.45: Live entertainment from the traditional music association Grupo Folklórico Villa de Alhama.
14.00: The “La Manita Dorada” prize is awarded for promoting and helping with the event, this year recognizing the efforts of Lázaro Portero.
14.15: Free tasting of magra con tomate for all!
14.30: Free portions of paella for all those attending!
17.30: Live entertainment from the traditional music group La Edad de Oro.
18.10: Work begins on the preparation of “tropezones” – don’t worry, you’ll love it! – prepared by “El Púas y El Grillo” and their friends.
18.15: Live entertainment from the traditional music group La Colla del Ramblar.
19.00: Live entertainment from the traditional music group Aires de España.
19.05: Free morcón (white sausage) and sobrasada (red pork paste with sweet paprika and other spices) for all!
19.45: Live entertainment from the traditional music group Los Zalameros.
20.15: A free plate of migas with tropezones for all!
Sunday February 8
8.00: Work begins on the preparation of a giant “olla fresca” (a pork stew with rice, beans and pulses).
10.00: Children’s workshops to make traditional “salchichas” (pork sausages), two groups starting at 10.00 and 11.30. Prior registration is required until 4th February at the Concejalía in the Casa de Cultura.
10.30: A display by professional ham slicer David García Romero, with the resulting slices served to those attended.
11.30: Live entertainment from the traditional music group Finos, Vernas y Rodrejos.
12.30: A ceremony to recognize the support given by local businesses to the event.
12.45: Free samples of various delicatessen products.
13.00: Diplomas are awarded to the children taking part in the sausage-making workshops.
13.15: Live entertainment from the traditional music group Coros y Danzas Virgen del Rosario.
14.15: The free olla fresca is served after a few hours stewing!
14.30: The most traditional of desserts in Murcia: paparajotes (lemon leaves coated in sugared batter tasting of lemon zest and cinnamon).
For more local events, news and visiting information contact the tourist office (telephone 968 633512) or go to the home page of Alhama Today.
Alhama de Murcia Tourist information office is located on the edge of the Plaza de la Constitución, just a few metres away from the underground car park and the Town hall of Alhama de Murcia.
The tourist office offers free guided audiotours in English which take visitors around the historical sites of interest in Alhama. These be loaned at any time, although allow an hour and a half to complete the tour, and when loaning the audio equipment visitors are asked to leave passports or ID cards with the tourist office.
The office also carries a full range of leaflets for the archaeological museum of Los Baños, which is built around the historic spa which gives Alhama its name, and the mountains of Sierra Espuña, which is also an important area within the municipality of Alhama. Areas such as El Berro and Gebas have a number of interesting routes which can be followed and there are several picnic areas and good walking routes within the Sierra Espuña natural park.
The tourist office also carries leaflets for the many cultural events and fiestas which take place in Alhama throughout the year, including Los Mayos, Semana Santa, Christmas,the Romería of La Candelaria and the Auto de los Reyes Magos in El Berro.
For more local information, including news and forthcoming events, visit the home page of Alhama Today.
