Moors and Christians Fiesta

Moors and Christians Fiesta

April 22-24

Moors and Christians fiestas are celebrated throughout the year all over Spain to commemorate various battles between the two groups. But it is the Fiesta of Alcoy in the province of Alicante that is one of the most colorful. Coinciding with the feast day of St. George on April 23, the fiesta commemorates the victory of the Christians over the Moorish leader al-Azraq in 1276.
The three-day event begins on the morning of April 22 with the ceremonial entry of the Christians, symbolizing the forces that assembled to defend the town of Alcoy in the 13th century. The Moors arrive in the afternoon, dressed in exotic Oriental costumes. On April 23 the relic of St. George is carried in procession from his temple to the parish Church of Santa Maria, where a mass is sung. On the third day the battle is reenacted and an apparition of St. George appears on the battlements of the castle.
In the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries, fiestas of Moors and Christians were danced. It is believed that this type of celebration eventually crossed the sea to England and became the familiar Morris dance.

CONTACTS:
Tourist Office of Spain
666 Fifth Ave., Fl. 35
New York, NY 10103
212-265-8822; fax: 212-265-8864
www.okspain.org

SOURCES:
HolSymbols-2009, p. 598
IntlThFolk-1979, p. 332

Celebration days: Apr 22 - Apr 24