The blackout of April 28, 2025 left countless anecdotes throughout Spain. Each citizen experienced it differently, but there is something everyone agrees on: it completely disrupted daily life and caused confusion for hours. In the Valencian Community, the day also coincided with a very significant date in dozens of municipalities: the feast of San Vicente Ferrer.
From celebration to confusion
In towns like Nules, where this day is one of the most festive of the year — if not the most — the power outage occurred in a completely different context than usual: with streets full, festivals active, and residents enjoying the day. José Luis M., a resident of Nules, recalls how he experienced that day after participating in the morning parade and several street festivals. According to him, at first the lack of electricity barely affected the atmosphere. “Many of us were partying, and yes, we found out there was no light after the parade, but many had drunk quite a bit and were in the middle of the party in the streets without it affecting them too much,” he recounts.
However, as the hours passed, the situation changed. The celebration gradually gave way to uncertainty as people returned home and doubts began to arise. “Hours went by, and people started to finish the party and go home. Throughout the afternoon there were rumors and comments of all kinds, each more extravagant than the last about why there was no light,” he explains, highlighting that the lack of connection worsened the sense of confusion. “Many people didn’t know what was happening because you couldn’t connect to almost anything.”
The moment the power returned
The situation also began to be felt in everyday life. “I was starving after hours of partying, it was 8 p.m., and I couldn’t eat much from the fridge because it had been off for hours. Also, I had planned to do the shopping the next day, so it was pretty empty,” he recalls. That’s when he decided to go out again with his son to see the traditional ‘canopy’ of San Vicente installed in the Plaza Mayor. After the walk, they were heading to a relative’s house when something happened that, he assures, he will not forget. “We passed by San Vicente Street, right where the image is and where the bonfire is placed that day. It was exactly 9 p.m. It was almost at the same time we passed by there when ‘the light came on,’” he recounts.
The return of electricity was immediate, as was the reaction of those on the street. “I remember a neighbor started shouting ‘It’s back!’” José Luis admits that moment was a relief after hours of uncertainty. “I breathed a sigh of relief, because in the last few hours I was starting to get annoyed and scared. It was too many hours without light. We are definitely not used to or prepared for this.” The anecdote, experienced at one of the most symbolic points of the town on the day of San Vicente, also left a reflection with a certain popular tone. “You could say it was a true ‘miracle of San Vicente,’” he concludes with a laugh.
Original source: www.elperiodic.com (published on April 27, 2026)
Photo: Darya Luganskaya on Unsplash
