The Anchovy Festival of L’Escala (Costa Brava) 2012
From the Tomatina to the Easter processions, passing through the Patchwork Festival of Sitges, it’s clear than in Spain there’s festivals of all types and for all tastes. And as variety is the spice of life, today we’d like to talk about one of the most flavoursome culinary festivals: the Anchovy Festival of L’Escala, in the Costa Brava.
The Anchovy Festival of L’Escala 2012 (“Festa de l’Anxova”, in the local Catalan language) will celebrate its 22nd edition this year. It will take place on the 6th October. In a festival atmosphere, various activities have been organised in praise of the anchovy, the most typical product of this small fishing village.
Exhibitions, culinary competitions for dishes made with anchovies, tastings of anchovies and other marine products, small anchovy markets, performances of tavern songs… these are the things that stand out the most in the programme of the Anchovy Festival 2012. Furthermore, the prestigious decoration of the “Golden Anchovy” will also be bestowed on some illustrious person associated with the village. All the celebrations will take place on L’Escala beach, from 10 am.
During the Anchovy Festival, the winning dish of the Route of the Anchovy Tapas competition 2012 will also be revealed. You’ll be able to taste all the offerings from participating bars and restaurants from the 28th of September to the 7th of October. There’ll be more than a score of different tapas dishes elaborated with anchovies… so get ready to drink your glass dry while you try these small delicacies!
L’Escala is a typical Costa Brava village, with beautiful beaches, which have conserved their traditional charms to this day. The village grew next to the Greek/Roman ruins of Empúries, specialising in fish and the salting of anchovies. Its fishy tradition goes back to the 18th Century, when the reputation of L’Escala anchovies was already well-known by a large part of the country.
Currently, there are five anchovy factories in L’Escala, where they still prepare tins by hand, and all offer visits. You can also visit, of course, the Museum of Anchovies and Salt, which offer trails, exhibitions and a broad documentation of the subject.
On the 6th of October, you know where to find us… we’ll see you in the L’Escala Anchovy Festival!
