Loreto Commission offers new images of the Virgin to purchase and hang from balconies during fiesta days

Wednesday 11th August 2021 – XÀBIA AL DÍA with Mike Smith

The Fiesta Commission Mare de Déu de Loreto de Xàbia – commonly known as the ‘port fiesta’ – has launched an initiative to encourage residents of the port zone as well as the whole municipality to decorate their balconies with the image of the Virgin to maintain the living spirit of the celebrations held in her honour this year, the second that it cannot be celebrated like normal due to the pandemic.

A post of the Commission’s Facebook page explained how the same initiative was launched last year on September 6th, 7th and 8th and public joined in by hanging blankets and religious images of the patron saint on the balconies and show windows as “a show of devotion”. So many residents asked the Commission and the Parish how they could get hold of the image of the Virgin Mare de Déu de Loreto last year that they have decided to create one with a new design and new image.

Measuring 1.4m wide and 1.9m in length, the image incorporates the buckles which allow it to be attached to the balcony and can be purchased for 35 euros by contacting members of the Commission in Casa Mata (Calle Pio X, between the church and the hotel) and in Bodega Puerto (Avenida Jaime I).

The Commission stresses that the new image doesn’t replace the original treasure that residents have kept “with so much love” and hand them with pride in their homes every year but provides another option for all those who don’t have an image and want to join in with the collective devotion of the patron saint of the port zone of Xàbia.