Entrance of the flower facts for kids
The Entrance of the Flower (called L'entrà de la flor in Valencian and La entrada de la flor in Spanish) is a special celebration held every year on February 1st in Torrent, a town in the Valencian Community, Spain. This old tradition started way back in the 1600s! During this festival, special people called clavarios and members of a group called the Confrerie of the Mother of God bring a branch from the very first almond tree to bloom after winter. They offer it to the Virgin Mary.
How the Celebration Began
This celebration on February 1st is one of the most colorful events for the Confrerie. It's all about giving the first flowers of spring to the Virgin Mary. Since the almond tree is usually the first to bloom after winter, its branches are chosen.
People in Torrent say this celebration is very old, even though no one knows exactly when it started. The Confrerie of the Virgin of Rosario and Saint Lluís Gonzaga has been organizing it for a long time. Records from 1940 show that offering the first gifts from nature has always been part of their duties.
The celebration starts with a short almond branch being carried to the Sant Lluís Bertran church. From there, a night procession begins. After this, everyone enjoys a breakfast and a big meal at a place called "Caseta of Rosario." Many people attend, including the clavarios, leaders, friends, and even town officials.
The main part of the Entrada starts around 8:45 PM. Participants gather at the Sant Lluís Bertran church for a short prayer. Then, they carry the almond branch in a procession to the Our Lady of the Assumption church. This parade is very exciting because people launch rockets using special clips. This makes the event full of bright colors and fun to watch!
When they reach the Assumption church, the priest blesses the branch. He then offers some of the branches to the Virgin of Rosario. After the procession finishes, a special event called the Cordà begins. This happens in a safe, enclosed area where people launch many loose rockets.
To take part in the Cordà, you need a special certificate. It's called the "Consumer Recognised like Expert" (CRE) certificate. All participants, both in the procession and the Cordà, must have this certificate to ensure everyone's safety.
Other Fun Festivals in Torrent
Throughout the year, Torrent celebrates many other exciting festivals.
- Porrat of Saint Antonio Abad: This festival happens on January 16th and 17th. On the night before January 17th, a big bonfire is lit in the street. A few weeks later, people bring their animals to be blessed. They also hand out blessed breads.
- Saint Blas: On February 3rd, the Ramón y Cajal street fills with stalls selling crafts, food, and nuts. It's a day to buy traditional gaiatos (which are like breadsticks or sweet bread) and sanblaiets. Many people also go to church to have oil put on their throats. This is because Saint Blas is believed to protect against throat illnesses. A common dish to eat on this day is rossejat.
- Torrent's Fallas: These big celebrations take place between March 15th and 19th. There are 28 fallas groups in Torrent, and they set up 56 large and small fallas (giant sculptures). With two more fallas from the town, Torrent has 58 fallas in total! About two weeks before Saint Joseph's Day, there's a traditional Cridà. This is a call to everyone to remember that the Fallas are coming. Until March 15th, there are parades and an exhibition of the ninot (the figures from the fallas). On the night of the 15th, the fallas are set up. From the 16th to the 19th, there are daily mascletàs (loud firework displays). On the 17th and 18th, people make an offering to the Virgin of Desamparados. Finally, on March 19th (Saint Joseph's Day), the cremá happens, where the fallas are burned.
- Saint Week of Torrent: The events for Saint Week begin a week before Palm Sunday. This is when the Saint Week is officially announced, and the Queen of the Meeting is chosen. On Palm Sunday, palms are blessed. On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saint Thursday, there are "transfers." During these, each group carries its special "step" (a religious float) to the Mountain Sion church or the Saint Week museum.
- Virgin Parties of Desamparados: These are celebrated on the second Sunday of May. During this time, the statue of the Virgin of Desamparados is carried through the streets of the city.
- Corpus Christi: The festival of the Body of Christ usually takes place in late May or mid-June. On Corpus Christi day, there is a big mass. In the afternoon, a procession is held. After the procession finishes, a mascletà (firework display) is set off.
- Patron Saint Parties (Saint Abdón and Saint Senén) and of Moors and Christians: These parties run from July 23rd to 30th. This popular festival has become very important since 1990, especially the 'Moors and Christians' events. The Grand Entrance parade has 24 filás (groups) and comparsas with over a thousand participants. Nearly ten thousand people watch it every summer! Other activities include the proclamation (official announcement) and the trabucà, which includes a parlament (a historical play).
- Summer Parties of the Districts of Torrent: During August and September, different neighborhoods and areas of Torrent celebrate their own parties. These include the White Colony of the Vedat of Torrent (dedicated to the White Virgin), Saint Cayetano (in the neighborhood of the same name), Tros Alt (dedicated to the Virgin of the Angels), The Marsh (dedicated to the Virgin of Desamparados), But of the Muntanyeta, Parties of the Montehermoso association, Parties of the Colony of Saint Apolonia in the Vedat of Torrent, and Parties But of the Jutge (dedicated to Saint Lluís Bertrán and Saint Vicente Ferrer).
- Aurora: This celebration starts on December 8th. Its purpose is to invite people to pray the Rosario. This celebration happens every Sunday (except December 25th and January 1st) from December 8th until January 6th. There is also an Aurora on January 26th.
See also
In Spanish: Entrada de la flor para niños
