An emotional year for Xàbia, 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the beginning of the Fogueres de Sant Joan, a fiesta that has become arguably the biggest party of the year. Two books have been published, the first in the year 1999 to celebrate the 50th anniversary and the second in 2024 to bring the history of the fiesta up-to-date. Here we provide a summary translation from the information provided in both books to tell the history of the Fogueres.
The 60s arrive and the world was divided between the fans of the Rolling Stones and those of the Beatles. These are also the years when the Fogueres became a tourist attraction, the foguera monument was modernized, the tractors replace animals to pull the floats and the quintos were called to collaborate with the organization of the party. And Neil Armstrong became the first man to step on the Moon.
🔥 1960 🔥
The fiesta commission returned to organise the festivities with great enthusiasm under the direction of Antonio Bover Gasent. This year, fund-raising was helped by a door-to-door collection which allowed residents to contribute to the fiesta budget.
Both the election of the Queens and their proclamation was held on the same evening. However, a delay in the arrival of the traditional dresses that were to be worn almost jeopardized the event and did nothing to calm the nerves of those who would be participating. Eventually the dresses arrived and the main participants elected: Rosa Buigues as Regina de la Foc and Gloria Gasent as Regina de la Foguera. The presentation of the Children’s Commission also took place and Teresa Barrera Gimeno was proclaimed as Regina de la Foguera Infantil.
In addition to the Fogueras book, a brochure was published by the Fiesta Commission with the programme of events which, along with the traditional acts of the bull-running, greasy pole and ribbon races, the commission programmed a cordá, a pyrotechnic act with bangers hanging from a rope which burst into life in succession as the ignition travels down the street.
The Foguera monument, located in Placeta del Convent, was crowned by a large tractor to symbolise the revolution in the agricultural world.
Regina de la Foc: Rosa Buigues
Regina de la Foguera: Gloria Gasent
Regina de la Foguera Infantil: Teresa Barrera Gimeno
President of the Commission: Antonio Bover Gasent
🔥 1961 🔥
A new Fiesta Commission was established under the presidency of Jaime Bas Pastor. Little expense was spared as a grand extravagance was planned, reflecting the renewed enrichment of the town due to a new source of wealth: tourism.
The daughter of the Spanish Minister of Finance Mariano Navarro Rubio, whose family holiday retreat still sits on the same promontory as the Parador hotel, was proclaimed as Regina de la Foc whilst Rosa Buigues Llidó was proclaimed as Regina de la Foguera. The Children’s Commission was represented by the Regina de la Foguera Infantil Joaquina Bover Fernández de Palencia, the daughter of an important local family.
The magazine Fogueras featured contributions from the best local writers of the time whilst the programme of events reflected the increased budget and included the first ‘sea festival’ which featured a concert by the Llíria Town Band who played on a floating platform off the coast in the port whilst fireworks were launched from the harbour wall. For the first time, tractors were used to draw the floats, replacing the animals that had been used up to that point.
In this year, the pasadoble Reina del Foc was first played, composed by Gonzalo Ortolá with lyrics by Francisco Salvador and Vicente Mengual. It remains a popular tune that is often played these days during the proclamation ceremonies that kick off the festivities, both in Xàbia and the rest of the region.
The 1961 edition had to live up to its billing and a spectacular foguera monument was created in the Placeta del Convent, described as “a marvel of ingenuity and dexterity”. Its critical elements referred to local issues such as the bulls and the beaches as well as more general concerns of society at the time, the increase in consumerism and the development of new areas that accompanied the arrival of the tourists.
Regina de la Foc: Maria del Pilar Navarro Rubio
Regina de la Foguera: Rosa Buigués Llidó
Regina de la Foguera Infantil: Joaquina Bover Fernández de Palencia
President of the Commission: Jaime Bas Pastor
🔥 1962 🔥
The extravagance of 1961 meant that the Fiesta Commission, now led by Gaspar Quero Buigues, had to contend with a budget deficit and organise the festivities in a more simpler way.
The choice of Queens was by popular vote with Cuqui Berenguer elected as Regina del Foc and Mercedes Miralles Martínez as Regina de la Foguera whilst the Children’s Commission was represented by Dora Bolufer as Regina de la Foguera Infantil.
The cover of the Fogueres magazine featured a photo of an iconic place along the coast of Xàbia, the Portitxol zone and its contents included only members of the Fiesta Commission and collaborators. The festeros and Children’s Commission weren’t featured whilst the traditional explanation of the Fogueres was missing for the first time since 1959.
The programme of events was unchanged from previous years and featured the flower offering, the bonfires, the processions, a football match and the burning of the monument which, once again, referred to the influx of tourists and their economic and social impact of the municipality.
With regards to the development of the town, this year saw the construction of a new health centre, a new school and the renovation of the sports stadium which was located where the current athletics track is now.
Regina del Foc: Cuqui Berenguer
Regina de la Foguera: Mercedes Miralles Martínez
Regina de la Foguera Infantil: Dora Bolufer Cardona
President of the Commission: Gaspar Quero Buigues
75th Anniversary Presentation – 9th June 2024
🔥 1963 🔥
The Fiesta Commission’s difficulty in juggling the finances over the past couple of years had become even more noticeable during preparations for the 1963 edition and young people were encouraged to join the commission to beef up the income.
The election and proclamation of the Queens was carried out in a single evening, once again by popular vote with a notary present to authorise the results. Twelve young ladies were up for election with Pilar Torres Catalá was chosen as Regina del Foc and Tonica Sancho Llidó as Regina de la Foguera. During the presentation of the Children’s Commission, Maribel Molina Font was proclaimed as Regina de la Foguera Infantil.
The magazine Fogueres featured several literary collaborations and articles from various associations and institutions in the town. It also highlighted the works and improvements being carried out by the local council and the programme events included several inaugurations, including the new abattoir, the Pedro Chorro Health Clinic and the Vicente Tena school. The rest of the events followed the same pattern as previous years with the processions and float parades accompanied by the Ondara Trumpet Band.
Regina del Foc: Pilar Torres Català
Regina de la Foguera: Tonica Sanchó Llidó
Regina de la Foguera Infantil: Maribel Molina Font
President of the Commission: Jaime Gavilá Ferrer
🔥 1964 🔥
Ten young women put themselves forward for election by popular vote with Ana María Llidó Buigues selected as Regina del Foc and Rosario Bañuls as Regina de la Foguera. The Children’s Commission would be represented by Toñi Benlloch Buigues as Regina de la Foguera Infantil.
The magazine Fogueres included news of the construction of the Monastery of La Plana dedicated to Sant Jeroni which was being built on the site of the old 14th century chapel which housed the treasured canvas of Mare de Déu dels Àngels which was hidden from coastal looters only to be forgotten and then found again several years later rolled up in the stump of a tree.
The foguera monument changed its appearance in that the figurines were completely made of cardboard, abandoning the more traditional form which gave them greater realism. The monument once again featured the affect of tourism money on the municipality, featuring figures prostrate at the foot of a women dressed in a bikini and flouting bags of money (US dollars) and wads of notes.
Regina del Foc: Ana María Llidó Buigues
Regina de la Foguera: Rosario Bañuls
Regina de la Foguera Infantil: Toñi Benlloch Buigues
President of the Commission: Jaime Gavilá Ferrer
75th Anniversary Presentation – 9th June 2024
🔥 1965 🔥
The Fiesta Commission increased in size with Jaime Gavilá Ferrer continuing at the helm for a third year in succession.
Two special evenings were organised at the Teatre Espídos at the start of the festivities. The first night featured the traditional presentation and voting of the “beauties” of Les Fogueres as well as the proclamation of Inmaculada Altavella Balanza as Regina de la Foguera Infantil.
Three days later, the proclamation of the Reina del Foc Amparo Cardona Catala and the Reina de la Foguera Jacqueline Siuró Pannequín was made, an emotional evening followed by a song festival featuring the winners of the Radio festivals.
The magazine Fogueres featured a greeting from new mayor Rafael Peiró Fayos and the programme of events included the cordá and the Fogueres Trophy football match. On June 24th, día de Sant Joan, the new street lighting along the road between the village and the port area and along the Primer Montañar towards the Arenal was inaugurated.
Regina del Foc: Amparo Cardona Catalá
Regina de la Foguera: Jacqueline Siuró Pannequín
Regina de la Foguera Infantil: Inmaculada Altavella Balanza
President of the Commission: Jaime Gavilá Ferrer
Quintà “LA BREGA”
75th Anniversary Presentation – 9th June 2024
🔥 1966 🔥
A new Fiesta Commission, led by a new president Ángel Doménech Albi, had to deal with a reduced budget but agreed that the fiestas are a showcase for the municipality and an attraction for tourists. Therefore they had to do the best they could with little funding to give the town prestige and “status”. The quintos were incorporated into the Commission, not only because they participated greatly in the fiesta but also to help raise funds to stage it, a tradition that continues to this day.
This year, the election of the main representatives was held in the town hall building in the heart of the historic centre. Fifteen young women stood for election with Teresa Mayans Mengual chosen as Regina del Foc and Teresa Sivera Cholbi as Regina de la Foguera. The Children’s Commission was originally represented by Agustina Buigues Ern as Regina de la Foguera Infantil but family issues meant that she couldn’t continue in the role and Elena Segarra Mata took her place.
The programme of events continued with the traditional elements which intensified during the last three days, just as they do now. Local writer and filmmaker Ramón Llidó wrote an article for the Fogueres book entitled “The Traditions and Customs of Jávea” in which he explained that “in Jávea the night of San Juan always had a spell and special merriment. The streets of the town, filled with bonfires, turned into an immense furnace. Next to the fire the young men and women, with their foreheads crowned with flower garlands, danced an ancient dance under the stars. The song could be heard incessantly: tonight the night rules, by the favour of God. Tonight, in the heat of the bonfire, we will both dance.” Llidó died in 1995 and there is a street named is his honour – Calle del Escritor Ramón Llidó – which links the town with Avenida Palmela.
Regina del Foc: Teresa Mayans Mengual
Regina de la Foguera: Teresa Sivera Cholbi
Regina de la Foguera Infantil: Agustina Buigues Ern i Elena Segarra Mata
President of the Commission: Ángel Doménech Albi
75th Anniversary Presentation – 9th June 2024
🔥 1967 🔥
The Fiesta Commission, led for a second year by Ángel Doménech Albi, was formed from those most experienced in the fiesta along with the year’s quintos who had become the life and soul of the festivities, as well as a Women’s Commission.
The election of the Queens was carried out in the town hall, a popular vote featuring twelve young candidates. The proclamation took place at the Teatre Espinós with Teresa Bisquert accepting the role of Regina del Foc and Teresa Ferrer Bisquert that of Regina de la Foguera. This year there were two roles to represent the Children’s Commission with Pepa Gisbert Segarra proclaimed as Regina del Foc Infantil and Mª Rosa Miñana Ferrer as Regina de la Foguera Infantil.
The 1967 edition coincided with the bicentennial celebrations of the arrival of the treasured image of Jesús Nazareno in Xàbia, a gift from the Medinaceli family, and when the statue was carried down from its chapel of Calvario in April, it remained in the heart of the historic centre until October which meant that the traditional flower offering during the Fogueres could take place in the church of San Bartolomé rather than participants having to walk up to the blue-domed church.
Interestingly, the bull-running event was paid for by four local people who had won on La Quiniela, the Spanish equivalent of the football pools, whilst the complimentary wine was handed out at Cafetería Montgó.
Regina del Foc: Teresa Bisquert Bas
Regina de la Foguera: Teresa Ferrer Bisquert
Regina del Foc Infantil: Pepa Gisbert Segarra
Regina de la Foguera Infantil: Mª Rosa Miñana Ferrer
President of the Commission: Ángel Doménech Albi
75th Anniversary Presentation – 9th June 2024
🔥 1968 🔥
A new president, Juan Ivars Salva, led a new Fiesta Commission. The election of the Queens is once again hosted by the town and, from thirteen hopefuls, María Luisa Agrasot Signes is chosen as Regina del Foc, Esperanza Salvatierra Codina as Regina de la Foguera. Representing the Children’s Commission, Maria Rosa Torres Sánchez is proclaimed as Regina de la Foguera Infantil.
The 1968 edition began with a first-rate cultural event, the First Painting Exhibition-Contest for local novice artists conceived by local painter Eladio Calleja who had made known the importance of promoting Fine Arts through exhibitions or competitions to help those starting out as artists. The exhibition would display works by Soler Blasco, Segarra, Lambert, Rovira and Ina Marchs. And from this year onwards, the cover of the Fogueres magazine would feature an image of the Fogueres painted by local artists.
Of the programme of events, the bull-running expanded to include a release of cows in the zone of Raval del Convent along a route that included Carrer Nou, Carrer Teulleria and Carrer Sant Domenec. In addition, the complimentary wine was handed out by the Queens and her Court at Camping El Cordobés, of which only the swimming pool remains as part of the Urbanización Toscamar, now overlooked by an Indian restaurant.
In the magazine Fogueres, painter Juan Bautista Soler Blasco, who was mayor of Jávea in the second half of the 1970s, wrote a tribute to Vicent Bisquert Riera, the tosca stonemason and architect of the first foguera monuments created until the early 1960s. He also paid tribute to Baptiste Puig Ern, the town’s last night watchman.
Regina del Foc: María Luisa Agrasot Signes
Regina de la Foguera: Esperanza Salvatierra Codina
Regina de la Foguera Infantil: María Rosa Torres Sanchez
President of the Commission: Juan Ivars Salva
75th Anniversary Presentation – 9th June 2024
🔥 1969 🔥
The final edition of the 1960s saw the quintos have an even greater role in the organising of the festivities, advised by the Fiesta Commission headed for the second year by Juan Ivars Salva. In addition, a group of children also participated in the preparations which paved the way for the formation of the Juvenil Commission in later years.
The election and proclamation of the Queens kicked off the programme, fourteen young women up for popular vote with the public casting their votes for Regina del Foc, Mercedes Martínez Font and the Regina de la Foguera, Vicenta Bas Castell with Francisca Gilabert Bolufer proclaimed the Regina de la Foguera Infantil.
Within the programme of events, the Painting Exhibition-Competition returned whilst the bull-running continued in the village centre and in Ravel del Convent where, on one day, the animals were released in Carrer Llarg. In addition, the Trumpet Corps of the Valencian Guardia Civil were also invited to perform whilst the complementary wine and dancing continued at Camping El Cordobés.
Regina del Foc: Mercedes Martínez Font
Regina de la Foguera: Vicenta Vas Castell
Regina de la Foguera Infantil: Francisca Gilabert Bolufer
President of the Commission: Juan Ivars Salva
75th Anniversary Presentation – 9th June 2024