THE EEL FESTIVAL AND THE TRADE FAIR OF THE GALICIAN LIQUOR

On the last weekend in August, Valga hosts the Eel Festival and the Galician Liquor Trade Fair, one of the most popular celebrations in the district of Caldas.

This gastronomic event has been celebrated since 1989.

During the day dedicated to the eel, thousands of diners come to sample it in multiple forms: in pie, stewed with potatoes, fried, breaded and served with white rice, pickled or with “cachelos” (boiled jacket potatoes).

During the days before the festival, a culinary competition which rewards the best eel recipe is organized. A jury selects two finalists and the winning dish is chosen through an open-door sampling in which all the attendants can take part.

Along with the eel, the other attraction of the festival is the liquor or “caña”, as it is known in Galician, another typical local product. The fair focuses on Valga’s three most typical varieties: white, herbs and golden liquor.

All the “cañeros” (liquor distillers) in the Caldas region are invited to take part in the Contest of the Galician Liquor Trade Fair, in which the best liquors of the year are chosen. During the event, the local distillers organize a two-session sampling in order to reward the most outstanding liquors.

On Saturday, the big day of the Liquor Trade Fair begins with an exhibition of the distillation by the “cañeiros” of Valga, the “requicheiros” of Portomarín and the “augardenteiros” of Vedra (all three words meaning distillers in Galician). It continues with the opening of the stalls, where various municipal associations exhibit their works and offer products linked, in some cases, with the “caña do país” (Galician liquor).

At one o’clock the proclamation takes place, read by a representative of the arts world, and the winners of the Contest of the Galician Liquor Trade Fair receive their prizes. Afterwards, those present can taste some Galician liquor-based cocktails while the Valga Municipal Brass Band enlivens the atmosphere.

At midday, a picnic takes place. Many of those who attend bring their own lunch while others prefer to sample the available menus: Galician pie, octopus, mussels, meat “o caldeiro” style, sausages and other traditional dishes.

In the afternoon, there is a sampling of white, herbal and golden liquors using the official glasses of the festival. These glasses are a gift from the organizers to all the participants.

The celebrations continue with a great “queimada” (a traditional drink based on burnt Galician liquor) during the open-air dance in the evening.

The Eel Festival and the Trade Fair of the Galician Liquor were declared of Galician Tourist Interest in 2013.