2010 is a year of special celebration in Torrevieja as it marks the 50th anniversary of the Día del Ausente del año 1960, to remember those who have left the city for a different life elsewhere. For those interested in the history of Torrevieja, which in part reflects that of Spain, there are number of activities taking place throughout the city. Everything started on Thursday evening with a DVD presentation that contained interviews with some of those who live elsewhere, recalling their memories and what parts of Torrevieja always remain in their heart. The DVD contained archive footage of the city going back into the 1950’s, to the days when small bulls ran through the streets and Torrevieja’s seafront was just that.
One of Torrevieja’s streets, Calle Vicente Blasco Ibanez has recreated itself to reflect 1960. On Sunday evening, Eduardo Dolon, Councilor for Culture and Festivities officially opened the street and presented a decoration of a stretch of Calle Vicente Blasco Ibáñez, along with local residents, marked with nostalgia and emotional memories, evident in the faces of all present.
Dorita Vanon, Encarna Alonso and María del Carmen Martínez, cut the ribbon, which opened the door to 1960. A large image of Inmaculada, painted on the asphalt by José Molero, along with a beach with sand, palm trees, a stranded boat and even a typical day spa was the scene that greeted visitors. The Street was decorated and covered in old photo albums depicting life over the last half century, which climaxed on Tuesday, December 7, when Torrevieja celebrated the "50th Anniversary Day of those Absent" with the Diego Remeriz Awards.
December 7 also marked the opening of a month long exhibition of photographs in the Vista Alegre exhibition centre. It is something that everyone living in or with connections to the city should make the effort to see, as these archival photos on display show life in the city when the population was around the 10,000 mark, before high-rise construction was evident and when the city had a seafront.
The exhibition is free and well worth a visit. It is just part of a range of concerts, exhibitions and entertainment taking place throughout the festive season with more details to be found in the Cultural Program or by visiting www.torrevieja.es.
