Moros there cristianos

The festivals of the Moros Cristianos ( Moros I Cristians in Catalan, Moors and Chrétiens in French) commemorate there the Reconquête Iberian peninsula and the confrontations passed between the Christian and Moslem populations. In the past, they practically took place in all the peninsula, then were gradually lost or changed. Today, one notes a spectacular rebirth of this tradition. They are currently celebrated in various cities of the east of the peninsula, like the Région of Murcie, Castille it Manche, and especially the Valencian Communauté, especially in the Province of Alicante. It is in this province that at our time the greatest number of cities concentrates which celebrate this type of festivities.

However one also finds them in some towns of Catalogne, Andalusia and Aragon.

Celebrates

With more or less large differences, this festival is composed of various episodes, among which invariably, one finds the Entries ( Entradas ) or Ravelled ( Desfiles ), Embassades ( Embajadas ) and Procession ( Procesión ). Very often, they are celebrated at the same time as the Employers' Festivals of the city. The participants are divided into two bands, the Moors ( moros ) and the Christian ( cristianos ), vêtus each one according to according to the fashion of the medieval time and that for each of the two cultures. The rule of division in two camps is not always followed strictly. Each camp can be subdivided in other groups like: the Plowmen ( Labradores ); Andalusian smugglers ( Contrabandistas ), , Brigands ( Bandoleros ); Fishermen ( Pescaors ) (or Sailors); Buccaneers (or Pirates, Corsairs, etc); Gipsy S ; or in the band Moor, Franc-tireurs ( Pacos ) (one finds some in Mutxamel, Altozano and El Rebolledo). These groups get dressed in agreement with the costumes which theirs are usually associated.

History

There are files which show the antiquity of these Festivals. While having the direction indicated above (commemoration of the confrontation between the Christians and the Moslems) - their creation corresponds to a precise event, in relation to the feudal lord or the visit of the king in the city. It happened that they were celebrated before the Reconquest of the Peninsula is not completed (in 1150 with Lérida, 1426 with Murcie and 1463 in Jaén). Some are born as other types of demonstrations (the dances of moros do it and cristianos of Lérida was spread by going Spanish in practically all the the Mediterranean; thus the Danza Moreska in the island Korčula Croatia is celebrated today).

These celebrations continued to be spread or in an exceptional way (at the time of commemorations) or in more followed way and by maintaining a structure basic, throughout XVIe and XVIIe centuries (in 1579 with Orihuela, 1586 with Valence, 1588 with Caudete, 1599 with Alicante, 1614 with Jumilla, 1668 with Alcoy, etc). It is as from the 19th century and especially during the 20th century that they were spread in a way generalized in all the Valencian Communauté.

Without any doubt, as shows it their declaration like Fête of Interés Turístico Internacional , the most known Festivals of Moros Cristianos are there those which take place with Alcoy (Alicante). However, it is necessary to announce other communes which deserve to appear among those which count a great number of visitors during their festivals. Among others, let us note Villena, Elda, the Villa Joiosa, Caudete, Cocentaina, Petrer, San Vicente del Raspeig, San Blas (Alicante), Mutxamel, Almansa (Albacete), Sax, Orihuela… etc

Unfolding

The festivals of each locality - as it was already mentioned have their own characteristics, but there exists a general outline in the course of the festival. This remark applies especially for the communes of the Raising (Valencian Communauté, Région of Murcie and Castille it Manche). Each band symbolically takes possession of the city during one day. One speaks about the Christian Entry and the Entry Moor. The festival is completed with the reconquest of the city by the Christian . That occurs in a final battle during which one draws from the shots with Arquebuse S, Arab rifles and espingoles, (that depends on the band). At the time of this battle, one seizes the castle of the city, and if there is not, one conquers an artificial castle.

Participants

Each band ( Christian or Moor ) is consisted various groups ( comparsas or filaes ). The Christian groups bear names like Navarrese , Almogavar are , Croisé S, Chrétiens , Mirenos , Andalous , Chevaliers of Cid , Chevaliers of Baronnie , etc the Moors groups, on their side have names like Abenzoares , Magenta , Juifs , Berbère S , Tarik , Marrocains , Llana , etc

Each year, and for each of the two bands is selected in one of the groups constituting it, a Capitaine or king (according to the place). There also exists of other figures, as the sign ( will alférez] ), the carry-flag or the lady's companion. Each band has its clean Caserne , harbor office or meeting room.

Processions

The processions, mainly in the places moreover long tradition or the largest localities, are characterized by their spectacular side, not only in the variety and the richness of the clothes, but also by the participation of tanks and assembled animals, like horses, elephant S and Dromadaire S or by the great quantity of powder employed. Each year, just six months front, one celebrates in many places the Ecuador Festero or mig any which in Valencian means half of the year .

Music of Festival

The Musique is one of the outstanding aspects of this festival, especially the famous Spanish Pasodoble Paquito el Chocolatero writes by Gustavo Pascual Falcó, type-setter of Cocentaina (Alicante) and which practically became an anthem semi-official of this festival. More generally one little to classify the music of the festival in three general categories: Walk S Christian Moors, Walk S and Pasodoble S, of which each one has its characteristics and its rates/rhythms.

There exist many examples of each style:

Steps Moors

Cavall of jib : Jose Rafael Pascual Vilaplana
Sisco : Daniel Ferrero
Habibi: Alfredo Anduix

Guardia Jalifiana : Jose Pérez Vilaplana

Delays of abril : Amando Blanquer Ponsoda

Voro : Jose Vicente Egea Insa

Abraham : Rafael Mullor Grau

Lidia : Ramón García I Soler

Christian Steps

Cid : Pedro Joaquín Frances

Gloria : Pedro Joaquín Frances

Caballeros de Navarra : Ignacio Sánchez Navarro

Jessica : Jose Rafael Pascual Vilaplana

Aelen : Jose Reflected I Berenguer

Batallers : Ramón García I Soler

the ambaixador Cristià : Rafael Mullor Grau

Pasodoble S

Chordiet : Gregorio Casasempere Juan

El Tito : Sebastián Rubio Gil

Amparito Roca : J. Teixidor

has freixa

Segrelles : Jose Pérez Vilaplana

Ragón Be necessary : Emilio Cebrián Ruiz

Places where they are celebrated

Some of the communes which celebrate festivals of Moros and Cristianos are:

Province of Albacete :

Abengibre
Almansa
Caudete : there exist documents proving its existence since 1588 (), so that it would be the oldest celebration of this festival.
Jorquera
Gineta

Province of Alicante :

Agost
Alcoy : declared international tourist interest. They celebrate April 22nd with the April 24th.
Alicante: They are celebrated in five districts of the city and on distinct dates. The celebrations are: Villafranqueza, in March; San Blas, in June; El Rebolledo, in July; and Altozano and Jose Antonio, in August. Federación Alicantina of Moros there Cristianos itself (body which gathers the five quatiers alicantins), series of demonstrations as from September organize, and which finishes the December 6th with the General Procession of Moros there Cristianos in the center of Alicante.

Altea : They are celebrated between the last week of September and the first of October.
Winder
Banyeres de Mariola
Benejama
Benidorm: The first weekend of October
Biar: They celebrate from May 10th to 13rd.
Callosa de Ensarriá: of national tourist interest. They are celebrated the second weekend of October.
Castalla
Calpe
Cocentaina : It is one of the communes which celebrates the festivals of Moros there Cristianos since 1766 (); they are declared of national tourist interest.
Crevillente : declared national tourist interest in 2005, they are celebrated since the last weekend of September until October 9th.
El Campello
Elche
Elda
Guardamar del Segura: festivals of Moros there Cristianos around the 25 of July.
Ibi
Muro de Alcoy: one celebrates the Fiestas de Moros there Cristianos the second weekend of May, in the honor of the Virgen of los Desamparados . It includes/understands demonstrations as emblematic as Publicà or Ambaixà del Tonell . Embajadas were written in 1852 and are regarded as oldest.
Monforte del Cid
Muchamiel: from September 7th to 13rd.
Novelda : from July 19th to 25th, they coincide with the employers' festivals in the honor of Santa María Magdalena .
Orihuela
Onil
Petrel
San Vicente del Raspeig
Sax: from February 1st to 5th in the honor of San Blas .
Villajoyosa : declared international tourist interest; they have the effect of organizing a naval action and an unloading on the beach.
Villena : of national tourist interest. Ravel approximately 15.000 people (one of the greatest participations, if not largest) and they are attested since the first third of the 19th century.
Xixona : They are celebrated the weekend nearest of August 24th in the honor of “San Bartolomé “and San Sebastian , owner and Co-owner of the city. Let us note the moment of the very summary Jugement of the Treacherous Moor ( Juicio Sumarisimo del Moro Traidor ) which takes place the third feastday.

Province of Almería :

Alcóntar, in the honor of the Virgin of the Rosary on October 7th.
Alcudia de Monteagud, second Sunday of August.
Alhabia .
Alquería (It), district of Adra, celebrate in August in the honor of the Virgen of mow Angustias . The first demonstration is held the morning and the second the evening and not in the center of the locality as it is usual, but outside, in the dry bed of a river where one owes traslater the statue in procession and to prepare a niche to him makes branches sheets of palm tree, cloths and bed-spreads.
Angosto (Serón), in the honor of the Purísima Concepción on December 8th.
Bacares, in the honor of the Santo Cristo del Bosque on September 14th.
Bayárcal, celebrates December 3rd and 4th in the honor of San Francisco Javier .
Bayarque, last Sunday of July.
Bédar, in the honor of the Virgen of Cabeza September 23rd and 24th.
Benínar, district of Berja; the characteristic is that this locality does not exist any more since it was submerged because of the construction of the homonymous stopping; its former inhabitants return on the banks of the lake each year, the 14,15 or August 16th in the honor of San Roque .
Carboneras between the 11 and on June 15th, they coincide with the employers' festivals in the honor of San Antonio de Padua .
Cuevas del Almanzora.
Fuencaliente (Serón).
Gérgal, in the honor of San Sebastián" , celebrated between the 23 and on January 25th.

Higueral (Tíjola), in the honor of San Antonio , between the 10 and on June 13rd.

Huércal de Almería.

Loma (Serón), in the honor of San Miguel on September 29th.

Laroya, in the honor of the owner San Ramón between the 30 and on August 31st.

Lubrín, in the honor of San Sebastián between the 20 and on January 21st.

Lúcar, in the honor of San Sebastián , celebrated on January 20th.

Níjar .

Mojácar, between the 7 and on June 9th.

Oria, in the honor of San Gregorio .

Partaloa .

Paterna del Río, in the honor of the Cristo of mow Penas September 14th and 15th.

Pechina, in the honor of San Indalecio .

Purchena : Moorish plays of Aben Humeya.

Santos (Los) of Alcóntar, (Alcóntar).

Sennas in the honor of the owner, El Divino Rostro ; and celebrated the first fortnight of August.

Sierro .

Somontín, in the honor of San Sebastián and Santa Innate , of the 18 to the 20 or from January 19th to 21st.

Turrillas, in the honor of San Antonio de Padua between the 13 and on June 15th.

Velefique : in the honor of its owner, San Castling .

Province of Cadiz :

Benamahoma : celebrate in June, in the honor of Saint Antoine de Padoue (June 13rd).

Province of Castellón :

Peñíscola : of national tourist interest. The processions celebrate in September, at the time of the Employers' Festivals dedicated to the Owner Nuestra Señora Virgen of Ermitana .

Province of Ciudad Real :

Alcázar de San Juan

Province of Cuenca :

Alberca de Záncara

Almendros

Valverde de Júcar

Province of Grenade :

Albodón

Aldeire .

Alquife .

Bácor-Olivar (Cortijo de Freila): They celebrate the June 11th.

Balax (Caniles).

Benamaurel : They are celebrated the last weekend of April.

Bérchules .

Béznar .

Bubión .

Caniles .

Capileira .

Cogollos de Guadix.

Cojáyar (Murtas).

Cherín (Ugíjar).

Cúllar-Baza : located in the Comarque de Baza. They are celebrated the last weekend of April.

Iznalloz .

Jorairátar (Ugíjar).

Juviles .

Lanteira .

Laroles (Nevada).

Murtas .

Mecina Bombarón (Alpujarra of the Sierra).

Mecina TEDEL (Murtas).

Montejícar .

Molvízar .

Niellos (Cástaras).

Olmos (Los) (Caniles).

Orce .

Pampaneira .

Picena (Nevada).

Pozo-Iglesias (Cúllar-Baza).

Pulidos (Los) (Gorafe).

Quéntar .

Rejano (Caniles).

Talará (Lecrín).

Trevélez .

Turón .

Valcabra (Caniles).

Válor .

Vélez Benaudalla .

Zújar, located in the Comarque de Baza. They are celebrated the last weekend of April.

''' Province of Jaén ''':

Bélmez of Moraleda.

Campillo de Arenas.

Cárcheles : They celebrate the August 14th. Declared national tourist interest of Andalusia.

Province of Lérida :

Lérida

Province of Murcie :

Abanilla : declared regional tourist interest. The procession-parade is organized the evening of May 1st.

Caravaca of Cruz

Murcie: First fortnight of September, with the employers' festivals of the Virgin of Fuensanta

Province of Valence :

Agullent

Aielo de Malferit

Alacuás

Albalat of Ribera: second week of October.

Bélgida

Bocairente

Fontanares

Does It of Figuera: celebrate themselves the second week of December.

Olleria: this celebration was created in 1953 by the glassmakers of this famous royal city. " Entra" is made first Saturday of September.

Oliva

Ontinyent : declared national tourist interest, are celebrated since Thursday preceding fourth Sunday by August until Monday.

Paterna

Torrent: celebrate themselves the last week of July.

Valence: the " is organized; Entrada" the October 9th and in the quatier of " Marítimo" the first weekend of July.

External bonds

(farming Asociacion will festera Kabila Al' Bayada there. Abanilla (Murcia))
AssociacioSantJordi.org (Asociación of San Jorge, in Alcoy).
Biar.net (festivals of Biar).
Caudete.biz/Mor''y''Cristi.htm (festivals of Moros there Cristianos of Caudete).
Comparsas.net (Asociación de Comparsas Nuestra Señora de Gracia de Caudete).
Cúllar.org (Moros and Cristianos of Cúllar).
DESEMBARCO.com (information on the festival of Moros there Cristianos of Villajoyosa).
El Campello (Junta Festera de Moros I Cristians of El Campello)
EldaEnFiestas.net (information on the festival of Moros there Cristianos of Elda, with Webcam S on line).
FestesMutxamel.org ( Moros there Cristianos of Muchamiel).
FMCT.es (Federación de Moros and Cristianos of [[Torrent]).
jfcocentaina.org (Federación Junta de Fiestas de Moros and Cristianos of Cocentaina (Alicante).
JuntaCentral.com (Junta Central of Fiestas of Villena)
MorosElda.com ( Moros there Cristianos of Elda).
Moros '' there '' Cristianos.com (Festivals of Moros there Cristianos of Onteniente).
Moros '' there '' Cristianos '' of '' Alicante.com (page of the Festivals of Moros there Cristianos of Alicante and its 5 districts).
Moros '' there '' Cristianos '' of '' Altozano.com (page of the Fiestas de Moros and Cristianos of the district of Altozano, in Alicante).
Moros '' there '' Cristianos '' of '' Valverde.com ( Fiestas de Moros and Cristianos of Valverde de Júcar).
Moros '' there '' CristianosElche.com ( Moros there Cristianos Elche).
Moros '' there '' Cristianos [[Ibi]].
'' MyC '' Maritimo.com (Agrupación Comparsas de Moros there Cristianos Marítimo of Valencia).
Onil '' in '' Festes.com ( Moros there Cristianos of Onil).
Petrer '' in '' Festes.com ( Moros there Cristianos of Petrel).
RogerDeFlor.tk (Escuadra Caballeros of Roger de Flor)
UNDEF.org Página of Unión Nacional de Entidades Festeras)]
Villena '' in '' Fiestas.com Moros there Cristianos of Villena).
Villena '' in '' Fiestas.com/Calendario (dates of the festivals in the the Valencian Community).
Moros and Cristianos de Xixona (Federación de San Bartolomé and San Sebastián)

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