The months of July and August are probably ‘peak’ fiesta season here in Galicia (and around Spain) – there are fireworks and rockets exploding nearly every night around around our home. (This is perhaps the moment to mention that I am always just a bit shocked when I see the men setting off these huge, exploding rockets…. launching them from their hands! Not something that is recommended to try at home).

I have written on many previous occasions about food fiestas, not because I don’t think they’re a great idea, but mostly because of the way that they are publicised. Of course, these local fiestas need to be supported and encouraged, as I have no doubt whatsoever that a huge amount of work goes into organising them. I do feel however, that all the effort is not necessarily augmented by the advertising, and the latest example of this is for a celebration starting tomorrow in the municipio de Valga – the Eel and Aguardiente festival. Unfortunately, once again, the photo that they have chosen to publicise the event is possibly not the most attractive or mouth watering…..

Now I’m sure that the eels are actually quite delicious, but what is it they say? It’s all in the presentation, and that we also ‘eat with our eyes’, but to be brutally honest if I was undecided as to where to spend my day out, I wouldn’t necessarily be attracted by this publicity shot. I think that they look like large grey worms, or is that just me?The months of July and August are probably ‘peak’ fiesta season here in Galicia (and around Spain) – there are fireworks and rockets exploding nearly every night around around our home. (This is perhaps the moment to mention that I am always just a bit shocked when I see the men setting off these huge, exploding rockets…. launching them from their hands! Not something that is recommended to try at home).

I have written on many previous occasions about food fiestas, not because I don’t think they’re a great idea, but mostly because of the way that they are publicised. Of course, these local fiestas need to be supported and encouraged, as I have no doubt whatsoever that a huge amount of work goes into organising them. I do feel however, that all the effort is not necessarily augmented by the advertising, and the latest example of this is for a celebration starting tomorrow in the municipio de Valga – the Eel and Aguardiente festival. Unfortunately, once again, the photo that they have chosen to publicise the event is possibly not the most attractive or mouth watering…..

Now I’m sure that the eels are actually quite delicious, but what is it they say? It’s all in the presentation, and that we also ‘eat with our eyes’, but to be brutally honest if I was undecided as to where to spend my day out, I wouldn’t necessarily be attracted by this publicity shot. I think that they look like large grey worms, or is that just me?