Hundreds of people try Spanish specialities

In the diverse range of programs included in the opening ceremony of European Capital of Culture 2013, citizens of Košice and visitors had the opportunity to taste a variety of traditional Spanish specialties, which the organizers offered to them by the Scientific Library.

The Kingdomof Spainwas represented by the well-known Park Mládeže Gymnázium (high school), which in its own inimitable way, called upon the public to try Spanish gastronomy. “We prepared an excellent programme for the people of Košice. We are the only Spanish school in Košice. We have prepared a programme in which our children perform. We have also prepared a taste of Spanish cuisine, wine and a variety of food,” said Alena Bobáková, headmistress of the high school.

Visitors chose from a wide range of specialties – mostly what looked tastiest to their eye. On the menu, there were traditional paella and tortilla, but also varied salads of seafood and other delicacies. In addition to food one could taste the various wines from grapes that ripen on the sunny Spanish slopes.

An elderly gentleman called Gejza stopped at the Spanish food stall, curious about what was on offer: “I do not know Spanish cuisine, but I tried some tapas and I liked it, he said. We talked to a high school student who was looking forward very much not only to the event itself, but also to her own dance performance: “Since it’s a Spanish event, we have included Spanish dance and song compositions in the programme. But for gourmets a variety of Spanish food and wine, that perhaps the whole world knows as Sangria,” said Daniela. Many gourmets particularly appreciated the fish specialities and Spanish wine.

The event was not missed by the Spanish men and women living in Košice and inSlovakia. Also present was the Spanish teacher from that school, Milan Kolcún, who is a well-known tourist guide to sights of Košice, which since the weekend has been proud to use the collocation – European Capital of Culture.