FESTIVITIES OF ALCÁCER
Photo: Ponto e virgula (Flickr). License: CC BY-NC-ND
VIRGEN DEL CARMEN FESTIVITY
It takes place on the 16 of June to honour Virgen del Carmen, the patron saint of the town since 1957. The tradition of worshipping this virgin is probably due to the monks and nuns at the convent of Beniparrel, a close municipality.
Since the late 20th century, there is a religious fraternity exclusively organizing the festive events for this day, standing out the procession of the Virgin’s statue.
SANTOS DE LA PIEDRA ABDÓN Y SENENT FESTIVITY
Abdón and Senent are the local patron saints, being venerated on the 30 of July. This festivity is related to the farming tradition of worshipping the saints for good conditions for the harvest. The traditional proceeding was to take the saint’s sculpture outside the church.
All the events are organized every year by different people, young adults, from the town elected for the festivity.
CRISTO DE LA FE FESTIVITY
During this festivity a sculpture of Christ is honoured, being its origin unknown. Before the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, this festivity used to take place on the Sunday after Virgen de la Asunción festivity, being organized by the young adults of the town. However, since 1940, because of an agreement between the religious leaders and the town council, the organization of the events has been carried out by the town council, being this festivity celebrated on Monday after Virgen de la Asunción festivity.
Santísimo Cristo de la Fe festivity is one of the most representative festivities in Alcàsser. The festive programme includes a great procession, a big mass with a great choir, sport competitions, public dinner for the people of the town, fireworks, music concerts, paella contests, etc.
The events end with the so-called día del gos, officially not part of Cristo de la Fe festivity, a relaxing day for the town.
BULLFIGHTING WEEK
Although there are no written sources on the beginning of this tradition, it is believed that it started in the 19th century.
Until the Spanish CIvil War, the festivity on the 11 of November to honour San Martín the Bishop, former of the parish church of Alcàsser, was the most representative festivity of the town. During this day there were horse races and bull runs during the three following days in the streets of the town.
However, since 1940, this tradition changed and the festivals expanded for a whole week after Cristo de la Fe festivity. This way, this week began to take place between the last week of August and the first of September, since November was not the best time because of the orange collection the people from the town had to do.
Between 2003 and 2007 the bullfighting week took place between late July and the beginning of August to take advantage of the good weather and the summer holidays. Yet, since 2008 this festivals went back to take place on Saturday after Cristo de la Fe festivity. The main events are the bull runs, best bull contests and other bull-related events. There are also music parade and street bars with music and typical food.
PRACTICAL GUIDE
HISTORY
LOCAL FESTIVALS
WEATHER
NEWS
