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From 29th of May till tomorrow, we are all being entertained in various interesting venues throughout this World Heritage city to celebrate the construction of its monumental Plaza Mayor. From Palacio de Congres to Plaza de San Benito, Teatro Caja Duero, Teatro Liceo, Casa de las Conchas and not to mention Plaza Mayor, there is something to see and enjoy.

Although Salamanca “the golden city” enjoyed its European cultural year in 2002, as a university city since 1215 it has a long association with the arts. As a city it offers examples of every architectural style from the Romanesque onwards, including 16th-century “Plateresque”, from platero, the Spanish word for silversmith. Salamanca is one of the best places to see the work of the Churrigueras, a family of sculptors and architects who originally came from Barcelona. Fernando Gallego, a 15th-century painter born and bred in Salamanca, is a well-known artist whose work is on display in the chapterhouse museum of the old cathedral and in the university’s Escuelas Menores, where you can see the remains of his celebrated Sky Ceiling, showing the constellations and signs of the zodiac.

Salamanca’s Museum of Art Deco and Art Nouveau not only exhibits the decorative arts of the late 19th and early 20th centuries including paintings by the Salamancan artists Celso Lagar and Mateo Hernández, but also as a building it is one of the most spectacular sights especially at night with its gorgeous stained-glass windows.

Last weekend the semi-stormy weather didn’t allow many people to come out and fully enjoy the festival, however, with a light jacket or umbrella it was not impossible to walk round searching for entertainment and enjoying the friendly atmosphere. Teatro de Calle was a wonderful way of enjoying the local talented artists and their creative performances. The concerts in Plaza Mayor brought out many youngsters, who were seeking live, free of charge music. On Saturday the 30th , Thursday the 4th and Friday the 5th live bands played in a rosy Plaza Mayor. We all danced with wolves to the music of Catpeople, but the second band (The Sunday Drivers) with their marvellous live performance, for sure, gave us our money’s worth for our cheaply bought beers and home made Calimochos.

Walking everyday on the ancient Puente Romano looking at the old city is nothing less than a great artist’s imagination. Especially, during such festivities the force that kicks me out of bed in the morning is the anticipation of a warm afternoon and an evening full of fun amongst friends and locals enjoying different events. We must all feel proud to be a part of this cultural family, for Salamanca has the kind of power to make you feel at home away from home