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LET THE BATTLE COMMENCE!

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Gemma Quinn / 2008-07-13 15:10:06

Clear you diaries this week and be prepared for some late nights as towns up and down the coast get ready to celebrate one of the most traditional fiesta in the Southern and Eastern part of Spain - the Moors and Christians festivals and here, we have a special preview of some of the biggest and most enjoyed celebrations, in Guardamar and Orihuela.

Spain was conquered by the Moors in the 8th century AD and the last surviving Moorish Kingdom was Granada, re-conquered by the Christians in 1492. Guardamar was conquered by King James I of Catalonia-Aragon and his crusaders in 1265. The town was built by Catalan settlers in 1270 around the Castle Hill, which disappeared in the 1829 earthquake. The new neoclassic town was built in 1830 on the slope overlooking the dunes and the sea. Guardamar Castle was the southernmost fortress in the Kingdom of Valencia and of great historic and strategic importance.

The Moriscos (descendents of Moors who had been forced to become Catholics in 1492) were expelled from the Kingdom of Valencia in 1609 and were shipped to the North African shores. It was not until much later that the present day popular fiestas in the Autonomous Community of Valencia of "Moros i Cristians" began to be celebrated. In Guardamar it is celebrated during the week of the Patron Saint, Saint James. 

The locals dress-up in magnificent colourful costumes, generally handmade by themselves, and re-enact the battle between the Moors and Christians to capture the castle. It is always a wonderful spectacle full of tradition, rituals, music, gun powder and ceremonial costumes and a celebration for all the family to enjoy in whichever town or village you visit.

Due to the success and popularity of the Moors and Christians last year, the Town Hall of Orihuela is organising free transport for the citizens of Orihuela Costa, to and from Orihuela town, so that they can celebrate and join in the festivities being held this coming weekend. Simply register at the Town Hall in Playa Flamenca.

Guardamar's Moors and Christians

Friday 18th July

9.30pm - Procession of the "Damas" (local Queen of the fiesta and her two maids of honours) of this year's festivities alongside key members of the organising committee. Route "Plaza del Rosari, carrer Gratitut, Plaza dels Llauradors, C/ Major towards Plaza de la Constitución (town square).

10pm - Opening address by Manuel Aldeguer Sánchez - Executive Manager of the River Segura Water Board - this year's esteemed guest and key speaker.

10.30pm - Presentations of key representatives, Flag and Standard bearers.

11pm - Coronation Ceremony of this year's "Dama de Guardamar" (Lady of Guardamar). Ms. Jessica Espinosa Orts recreates, in traditional costume, the age old legend of L'ENCANTÉ - a spectacle of light, water and fire. A stunning performance that tells the story of a young girl who falls under a spell and can only be released by a brave warrior who first has to battle against the forces of evil, a dragon, in order to free her. The spell can only be broken if he bathes her feet in the Segura river. The "happy ending" is that he kills the dragon and washes her feet in the river. They live happily ever after.

Midnight - Opening of the "Town Council Party Zone" situated in the La Redonda football ground (near the industrial estate). An invitation to dance the night away to the music of some of Guardamar's best DJs.

Saturday 19th July

10am - 2pm - Static model aircraft exhibition in the Avda els Pins.

11am - 3pm - Annual Regatta "The St James Trophy"

1pm - Traditional festival "bellringing" and "firework rocket throwing" (town square).

10.30pm - Fancy Dress Parade and Competition. Music and fancy dress for anyone who wants to get involved. The Parade sets off from C/ Major on the corner with C/ Nord and continues along the Avda Paí­s Valencia, ending in the Plaza Jaume II. Competition bibs and rules can be obtained from the Tourist Information Office. All prizes will be awarded in the "Town Council Party Zone"

Midnight -  "Party Zone" situated at the football ground near the industrial estate. Music provided by local DJs.

Sunday 20th July

1pm - Traditional festival ‘Bellringing’ and ‘fireworks rocket throwing’ (town square).
10pm - Choral and Music Concert in the Plaça de la Constitución. (town square). During the programme, prizes will be awarded to the winners of this year’s local ‘Short Story Competition.’
10pm - Cinema on the Beach. Film festival on the Roqueta Beach. This year’s films will include ‘Encantada, la historia de Gisele’, ‘Beowolf’ and ‘Blue Smoke.’
Midnight - ‘Town Council Party Zone’ (Situated in the football ground near the industrial estate). ‘U2 TV’ live on stage.

Monday 21st July

1pm - Traditional festival ‘bellringing’ and ‘rocket throwing’ town square.
7pm - Opening of the mediaeval market (situated in carrer del Rosari).
10pm - ‘Ñora Rock’ Festival in the Town Council Party Zone. Groups include E-Nation, Shaolinyera, Impetum, Psyco Inc. Vortice, Bajo Techo, Habitación Zero and Dura Resaka.
10.30pm - Festival ‘Firecrackers’ organised by local group VULCANOX. Route – departs from the Town Hall, along C/ Miguel Hernández, C/ Sant Francesc, C/ Ausiàs March, C/ Sant Jaume, Plaça d’Abastos, C/ Enginyer Mira and ends at the Plaça de la Constitució (town square).

Tuesday 22nd July

1pm  - Traditional festival ‘bellringing’ and ‘firework rocket throwing’ (town square).
7pm  - Medieval market situated in carrer del Rosari.
8pm  - Children’s Party and Entertainment in the carrer els Pins.

Wednesday 23rd July         
    
1pm - Traditional festival ‘bellringing’ and ‘firework rocket throwing’ (town square).
7pm - Medieval market situated in carrer del Rosari.
8.30pm – First ‘Guerrilla.’ The mock battle begins along Avda. País Valencià at the corner of carrer Lepanto and continues towards the town square. The Christians are in front, expelled by the Moors who take possession of the town. 
9.30pm  - The ‘Mosquetera’ Comparsa enter the Castle. They are followed by the ‘Moros Negros La Pluma’ Comparsa who re-enact the conquering of the Castle and the town of Guardamar by the Moors. After this, both Comparsas parade along the Avda. País Valencià towards the Plaça dels Pescadors.

Thursday 24th July

9.30am - Freefall parachuting on Centre Beach.
8.30pm - Second ‘Guerrilla.’ This mock battle begins, after warning gunfire from the Castle’s Gunpowder Bastion. The battle then moves along carrer Castell, carrer Gratitut, Plaça Llauradors, carrer Major to the town square. The Moors are first followed by the Christians who now take possession of the town.
9.30pm - The Comparsa Moros Negros La Pluma attack the Castle possession. The Comparsa ´Mosquetera´ then enter. Once there, the Christians take power and the ´Trial of the Moorish Traitor´ takes place which represents the re-conquest of the Castle and the City from the Moors by the Christians. Both Comparsas then march along the agreed route from Avda. País Valencià to Plaça dels Pescadors.

Friday 25th July Feast of St James

12 noon  - Parades (Guardamar’s Music Society) with the ‘Dama de Guardamar’, her ‘Maids of Honour’ the Captains, the Flag and Standard bearers, members of the Moors and Christians Organising Committee, members of the various participating ‘Comparsas.’
1pm - Official Reception for the Captains and members of the Organising Committee in the Town Hall.
8pm - Holy Mass in honour of St James (celebrated by our Parish Priest, Father Reyes Rodríguez Rufete).
9pm - Procession in honour of St James. The Procession includes local councillors, civic and military dignatories, key members of the Moors and Christians Organising Committee, the Dama de Guardamar with her Maids of Honour, the Captains, Presidents of the various associations and members of the participating Comparsas.
Route – carrer Enginyer Mira, Plaça d’ Abastos, carrer Sant Emigdi, carrer València, carrer Major, Avda. País Valencià, carrer Migdía, carrer Vicente Ramos and back to the church.
1am - Aquatic Fireworks Display opposite Roqueta and Centre beaches. The fireworks are set off from makeshift sea jetties

Saturday 26th July

7.30am - Early morning wake up call. Route starts at Plaça Jaume II Avda País Valencià, C/Major, Plaça Llauradors, Gratitut, and carrer Castell – ending at the Gunpowder Bastion at the Castle. 
8.30pm - Entrance of the Christians.
Night time – bar, music and dancing in all of the designated Comparsa ´fiesta barracks.’

Sunday 27th July

10am– 2pm - Static model aircraft exhibition in the Pista de Vuelo.
7pm - The Music Bands make their entrance following the opposite route of the parades.
8.30pm - Entrance of the Moors. Starting at Avda. País Valencià, along the C/Major and ending at the corner of C/ Nord. The parade runs in the following order:
The Christians –Labradores, El Cid, Cruzados y  Mosquetera
The Moors –  Tuareg, Nómadas, Abd –al- Azies and Moros Negros ‘la Pluma’
Night time - A final opportunity to enjoy the fun and hospitality of the designated Comparsa ‘fiesta barracks’.
Midnight - The Castle Fireworks Display. We bid farewell to the festivities with our traditional musical fireworks display. The best vantage and viewing points are in carrer Molivent near the bus station and Health Centre.  

Orihuela's Moors and Christians

Friday, 18th July

9pm - Grand Entrance and Procession of the Christians.

Saturday 19th July

9pm - Grand Entrance and Procession of the Moors

The buses will depart from the Playa Flamenca Town Hall at 19.30 on the 18th and 19th July. The buses will be returning from Orihuela for Playa Flamenca at approx. 12.30am on the 19th and the 20th. You can reserve your seat in the Town Hall at Playa Flamenca.

Tags: Medieval Market, Guardamar, Orihuela