Cooper´s Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake Festival

Source: Wikipedia

As cheese lovers, we can´t let pass the chance to talk about a festival that occurs in UK every Summer; The Cooper´s Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake Festival, in Gloucestershire.

As its very own name says, it´s all about a race down the hill in which the people chase after a big cheese that has been also sent down the hill just one second before. The prize will be the very same cheese that the fastest racer gets to take.

Source: Wikipedia

It sounds fun, but it´s also hard since finishing this peculiar race with no harm is practically impossible.

The Cooper´s hill is so steep that the cheese (7 lb) reaches a speed of around 65 mi. per hour. It becomes a real danger if anyone gets in its way and it has been since 20 years ago the same kind from the same local artisan; a double Gloucester cheese.

There are several races along the day; 4 or 5 down the hill and other 4 or 5 up the hill. Is in these last ones when children under 12 can take part in the “game”.

At the lower slope there are catchers, strong men who are in charge of grasp and stop the participants with too much inertia. You can also find ambulances and health workers to assist the injured people.

Some of the injured get to cross the winning post the first, but they end up so tired and with so many bruises that they can´t even rise the cheese they´ve just won.

Anyway, what´s sure is that all the people have lots of fun either way; participating or just watching. Is a day of joy and laughter.

What would you think if we import this celebration into our village Albarracín? We also have a great and steep hill. It´s even surrounded by the medieval wall.

Shall we start a new tradition? Which of our cheeses would we throw downhills? 

The Foundation that keeps our cultural heritage: Santa María, (Albarracín, Teruel).

The Santa Maria Foundation in Albarracín is a non-profit organisation and an innovative project in which the outstanding and wonderful cultural heritage of Albarracín is managed.

The Foundation was created in 1996, promoted by several institutions of Albarracín. It´s located in the village´s old episcopal palace, which was restored thanks to a previous programme.

Its most important aims are:

• The economical and sociocultural development of the region.
• The restoration, conservation and management of the cultural heritage.
• To vitalize the cultural and historical legacy.
• The promotion of diverse cultural and educational activities.
• The establishment of collaboration sources among different organizations.

One of the most important Foundation aims is the architectural restoration. Since its beginnings many important monuments have been recovered from forgetfulness.

The constant activation of the village is due to the application of an important cultural programme, divided by different actions such as courses and seminaries, exhibitions and concerts. Since some time ago there has been a big development of an artistical creation programme designed for painting professionals on a first stage of creation and also for movable goods restorers.

At present Albarracín is also considered as a city for meetings and congresses. The infrastructures and services given by the Foundation make possible to celebrate any collective event, also supported by the numerous and very nicely furnished little hotels around Albarracín. 


Official website: http://www.fundacionsantamariadealbarracin.com