It's been good to be in Jaca this weekend. Here's a translation of the publicity for the bicentenary celebrations:
"Acts to
commemorate the bicentenary of the recovery of the Ciudadela by Spanish troops on
17th February 1814
With more
than 200 participants from various groups dedicated to the re-creation of this
period, including French units, cavalry and artillery, the weekend of the 22nd –
23rd February, the citizens of Jaca and
any visitors will have the chance to enjoy various performances: military parades, combats, artillery fire etc, along with the
the previously offered lectures and the exhibition of old uniform buttons will
help us to achieve what the slogan says: “History as it deserves to be told”."
We went down to the Ciudadela just before six o'clock on Saturday, not knowing exactly what to expect. There were quite a lot of people, but I've seen it a lot fuller. I really don't think there was much publicity. I knew about it from a little poster in a shop window; I then went to the tourist office to find a schedule of events.
Anyway, back to the Ciudadela. Lots of people dressed as troops from 200 years ago. Flimsy looking tents. The participants were nearly all unknown to me. I think they were re-creation groups from other parts of Spain, and also from France. A sort of Napoleonic "Sealed Knot" I think I recognised one of the soldiers; I'll have to ask her about it. I really had no idea they did that sort of thing here.
Some time after six, the troops marched out of the fort and into the city centre. There were apparently going to be skirmishes in the old quarter.
If I'd known in advance this was going to happen, I would have brought my camera home; it's in Zaragoza, waiting to take decent photos of the statue of General Palafox.
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| This bad photo is here because it's the only person I thought I recognised. I'm waiting for confirmation if it really was her! |
