There are not many festivals in Spain which are organised by the townspeople themselves, without big money sponsors, and fewer still as colourful and spectacular as this one.
Abahana Villas - Detail of the dress of the Moors and Christians of Jávea.
Swords, catapults, long cloaks, face painted with fanciful designs, winding turbans. The participants' costumes and make up is really impressive, particularly in its attention to detail, the spectacular floats or the proud horses with their shining coats galloping loudly down the street.
The music bands are really threatening, especially at nightfall with the contrast between the dark and the lights helping to create a mysterious atmosphere. The attention to detail is admirable: all around are embossed belts, Moorish slippers, feathered headpieces or fantastic "gold and silver" from mysterious far away lands. Here and there the brave Christian warriors hold up their symbols; the eagles, lions and crosses, against the crescent moons and horns emblazoned on the uniforms and equipment of the ferocious Moors.
The Moors and Christians festival recreates an era which combined bloody battles and peaceful coexistence as well as moments of mutual mistrust. All the colour, show and ostentatiousness of these celebrations is an attempt to overcome the seven long centuries of war such as during the Muslim invasion and the later Christian reconquest.
In Jávea the celebrations are held in the third week in July, with impressive parades of Moorish and Christian women as well as the Muslim landing on the beach or the Christian assault on the castle and the surrender of the Moors.
The main parade, known as the Filà Capitana de Contrabandistas de Xábia, ends with a spectacular firework display which fill the Jávea streets with light and sound. The party goes on into the night and, far from the bad feeling of old, the Christian and Moorish troops party together as friends.
Come and join in this journey into the past, a festival full of good, clean fun and a real spectacle of light, sound and colour.
Jávea
Seven young couples, the so-called "Mayorales" and "Mayoralesas", are the protagonists of the "Mare de Déu de Loreto" festivities in Jávea. Bedecked in lavish attire, the girls in bridal white, the boys in elegant suits and ties, for a few days they are genuine kings and queens.
Benissa
Benissa welcomes the autumn in a very special way, when multiculturalism and new arrivals join together to celebrate the Benissa Cultural Festival. 12 countries are represented in this festival that takes place every two years on the first weekend in October. The objective is to show off the different cultures that live in harmony in Benissa. A trip around the world without leaving home.
Altea
The old town centre of Altea is the setting for the Handicrafts Fair that is held every year in the square in front of the Church in this little Alicante town.
