The Moors and Christians take the fiesta to every corner of Xàbia

The traditional visit to the historic centre of Xàbia, specifically to Calle San Jaime, marks the beginning of the great days in which Duanes de la Mar will become the home of the Moorish and Christian hosts who will invade its streets, filling them with gunpowder, colour, music and gastronomy through historical recreations of an important phase in Spanish history.

The offering of flowers to the image of the fiesta’s patron saint San Jaime in his niche in the historic centre is a must. What began as a way to allow every corner of the town to participate in the fiesta has become an endearing visit that, together with the parade along the promenade of the Arenal beach, takes the celebrations briefly to all corners of Xàbia.

Accompanied by their colourful standards, the troops processed informally from the Plaza de la Marina Alta and down Avenida Príncipe de Asturias to pass through Placeta del Convent to reach Carrer Virgen de la Merced and Carrer Foguerer from where a more formal procession travelled down Carrer Ravalet to accompany the standard bearers and captains in making an offering of flowers to the patron.

Lucía Serrano (Moors) and Vanessa Garrido (Christians) were first to place their flowers at the front of the saint’s niche, followed by the major representatives from Filà Capitania Baharis, Txema Bengoa and Amaia Arrausi.

The music band from the Centre Artístic Musical de Xàbia provided the music, setting the rhythm for both sides by playing the popular Moorish and Christian marches before concluding the flower offering with a stirring performance of the famous pasodoble Xàbia.

The president of the Junta Central, Abel Moll, the councillor responsible for Fiestas, Mavi Pérez, and the mayor of Xàbia, Rosa Cardona, accompanied the troops and the representatives of the fiesta during their journey.

As has become tradition, the residents of Carrer San Jaime thanked the participants for their visit by offering coca maría, mistela, and soft drinks. And for another year, they had decorated the street with the image of carving of Sant Jaume that the Junta Central gifted to the residents to celebrate the occasions.

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