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Deep-rooted traditions, important days on the religious calendar and brilliant promptings from local tourist agencies are the inspiration for many of Spain's fiestas. But hatred and war also play a prominent role. In fact, the most popular, colorful and exuberant parties have their origins in a distant past when the survival of many Spaniards was at stake.
By far the best known are the festivals of the Moors and Christians. These are celebrated all over the province of Alicante and beyond. The central theme is the recapture (the reconquista) in the 15th century of their territory from the Moorish occupiers. This is celebrated with street parades in which the 'warring' parties are dressed in beautiful war clothes. With the weaponry of that time they march, supported by local street orchestras, through the villages and cities. The tough representation of militancy ultimately finds its discharge in the imitation of battles in which the Christians are victorious. The importance of these parties can hardly be overestimated. Especially when you consider that every year between April and September there is always a local version of the Moors and Christians on the program somewhere in the region.
Another historical confrontation is central to the festival of the 'Pirates' Invasion' in Los Alcázares. This is celebrated every year around Easter. This festival dates back to the 16th and 17th centuries when pirates regularly carried out raids on the beaches of the Mar Menor. During this colorful party, legions of pirates can be found on the coast and in the town. The locals also like to dress up as falconers, jugglers and other colorful types from that era. The festival also includes a medieval market with a variety of old crafts.
Torre Pacheco makes a contribution with the festival of the 'Trinitarios and Berberiscos'. At the beginning of June, these festivities mark the invasion of Berbers in the campo around Cartagena. These took place from the 15th to the 16th century and also led to bloody confrontations with the local population. Expect a street parade and fake fights with soldiers, peasant population and pirates in the lead. Here, too, the festivals are linked to a medieval market where troubadours and demonstrations of old crafts enhance the revelry.
After all, the biggest and unique is the feast of Cartagenes and Romans, which is always held in Cartagena in the second half of September. This goes back to 2,200 years ago when the Second Punic War was fought between Romans and the locals. Since 1990, the city has been under the spell of this colorful and noisy party every year for no less than ten days. It attracts audiences from a wide area and even abroad. The activities are very diverse: from chariot races to theater acts and from battle between gladiators to games in which everyone can participate. And of course it is quite normal that Roman soldiers, at least for 10 days, determine the streets again for a while.
In the future, we will delve deeper into all of these parties and their idiosyncrasies in our blog.
