Chronicle of the excursion to Buñol (Valencia) by Erasmus+ and O-CITY students
By: Damaris Velázquez Labrada, graduate in Audiovisual Media Arts from the Universidad de las Artes de Cuba, and student of the Master’s Degree in Transmedia Communication at the Universidad Politécnica de Valencia -campus of Gandía-.
Buñol was the perfect host, where thanks to O-CITY we shared unique experiences, learned about local history, culture, religion and enjoyed countless photographs and videos of the heritage wonders of this Valencian town where we felt welcomed and with the need to return.
94 kilometres from Gandia is Buñol, our destination on the excursion with the students of the Erasmus+ O-CITY Project group of the Universitat Politècnica de València, Gandia Campus.
This project is carried out during the months of October to December, where the students, with the aim of learning about, creating content, safeguarding and educating about tangible and intangible heritage, carry out two projects:
1. An individual project where each student prepares multimedia content (photo, video, infographics, comic, animation), on a heritage element of their city or country of origin.
2. A group project in which each team works with a multimedia element and another heritage element of the city.
Buñol was visited as part of a group project.
Let the tour begin…
- First stop: Buñol Castle, built between the 11th and 12th centuries, is one of the few remaining castles in Spain with dwellings inside. From this monument there is a panoramic view of the town, where the youngsters were thrilled to explore the various museums that are located here.
- Point number two on our trip: Museo de la Tomatina, dedicated to this unique and iconic festival of Buñol. It has a 270-degree immersive room in which we were able to enjoy the atmosphere and euphoria of this celebration that takes place every August.
Between images and other elements, the visitor is immersed in a whole experience of a village in those walls. The most amazing thing was the experience in the virtual reality area, where the students enjoyed a real tomato battle in first person thanks to the glasses. We were caught up in the magic of the unique event. And with the invitation to participate in the next festivities, of course.
Among narrow and steep alleys we arrived at a new destination: located in the town square is the Templo San Juan Apóstol. There a peculiar guide, with an authentic grace, gave us a tour full of stories and sculptures. It was an ideal place to show the cultural particularities of the Erasmus students, who showed what church interiors are like in their countries.
Next stop: the civil and religious cemetery, where respect and diversity are evident in the 430 graves, at least 40 of which belong to master masons. Through the writings on the tombstones, symbols and slogans, this cemetery is a historical tour of the people of Buñol.
To end the excursion, the mayoress María del Juncal Carrascosa Alonso, who spent some time with the students, presented us with official T-shirts of the Tomatina 2022. Buñol was the perfect host, where thanks to O-CITY we shared unique experiences, learned about local history, culture, religion and enjoyed countless photographs and videos of the heritage wonders of this Valencian town where we felt welcomed and with the need to return.