In February each year, the ‘filas’ come together for the first time since the previous summer’s extravaganza on a special event known as ‘MIG ANY’, which roughly marks the midway point – the “half year” – between fiestas. This is the formal beginning of the year’s festivities during which the captain fila of the previous year hands over responsibility to the next.
The MIG ANY celebrations were first held in 1996 as a chance to award prizes and distinctions to those most representative of the fiesta, such as the Filà Captaincy and, from 1997, the two standard bearers.
In recent years, the weekend has started on the Friday evening with a very informal entraeta through the streets of the port with a band. But it is an important moment for one of the filas, that which will be assuming the captaincy for the forthcoming celebrations. At the end of the parade, the rest of the filaes will part to allow the filà capitania to take the applause and adulation. Afterwards the filaes enjoy a snack and drink before disappearing off in different directions to enjoy a late dinner.
On Saturday morning, the filaes gather together once again to enjoy a communal brunch of seafood and copious amounts of local wine (and maybe something stronger) before making a short informal parade through the streets of the port. There are no extravagant costumes or make-up, just the casual wear that each fila has chosen as their informal uniform.
Once again, great fuss will be made of the fila that will be assuming the captaincy and at the end of the parade, the filaes will create another guard of honour. It’s an emotional moment. The captaincy is assumed on a rotational basis and, with a dozen groups, six on either side, this responsibility comes around just once every decade. Group membership changes all the time and for some it’s their first time, for others, the veterans, it’s still just as emotional.
After a refreshing drink or two, and maybe a quick change of clothing, the filaes make their way to Salones Carrasco for the formal part of the day, the gala lunch and presentations. Each group has its own table, quite often guests are invited, and the atmosphere is already electric as lunch is served. Friends pass between tables between each course, catching up with friends, sharing a shot of something that would floor a gorilla, and generally enjoying being together again as one happy Moros i Cristians family. The mayor also attends along with the councillor responsible for Fiestas and representatives from the commissions of other fiestas.
After the lunch, the formalities kick in. The outgoing captain and standard bearers give their emotional farewell speeches and are presented with mementoes of their year as the main representatives of the fiesta. It has been a long year for them for they not only represent the fiesta during the week-long celebrations but also at other fiestas, such as the Fogueres de Sant Joan, Jesús Nazareno and Mare de Déu de Loreto, in the flower offerings and the presentation ceremonies. But their effort is appreciated by all. Not everyone can or would want to take on the responsibility.
With a loud cheer from their parent fila, the new captain and standard bearers take their place. The standard bearers, always female, are presented with their sashes whilst the captains – there can be just one person or, as in 2023, it can be a family experience – are welcomed by the dignitaries. Formal photos are taken, often outside in front of the iconic tosca backdrop in the gardens of Salones Carrasco.
After the formalities, the party. A DJ plays the popular marches, both Moorish and Christian, and both sides link arms regardless of allegiance, very aware that the wheels had been set in motion for the main festivities in July.
Moros i Cristians de Xàbia – The Format
- Moros i Cristians – HOME
- The Presentation
- The Music and the Arenal
- The Flower Offerings
- The Invasion
- The Reconquest
- The Parades
- Becoming a Moor