June 2-8 Moraira Moors and Christians Festival with Medieval Market

The festivities in the Marina Alta town, Alicante province, include a concert by the British Choir

The beginning of June hails the start of Moraira's most important annual event in the town's calendar: the Moors and Christians Festival.

From June 2 to 18 locals and visitors alike will be treated to an extensive program of celebrations and activities both traditional and new and characteristic of the municipality.

"Summer arrives and with it Moraira is awash with colour. We can smell the gunpowder, feel the music and start preparing our costumes for Moors and Christians. I would encourage everyone to be part of one of our most representative festivals, living history that shapes the identity of our town," said Councillor for Festivals, Rosana Caselles.

The festival has been organised by the Central Board of Moors and Christians in collaboration with Moraira-Teulada Town Hall, and here's a breakdown of what's going on:

Friday June 2

7.30pm: Inauguration of the Andalusian Medieval Market.

Saturday June 10

12 noon: Gathering of the Moors and Christians procession in Moraira's Bosque Urbano (urban forest) and preparation of the Brotherhood meal, accompanied by the Bataclán de Jalón marching band.

7.30pm: Gathering of all the moors and Christian ranks in the Fortí building followed by a parade accompanied by the Colla El Falçó de Teulada and the Llebetjà de Benitachell bands.

10pm: 2:00h. Presentation of Pennants at Moraira Castle esplanade. There will be a disco afterwards.

Sunday June 11

6pm: International Festival.

Monday June 12

8pm: Concert by the British Choir in Moraira Parish Church.

Wednesday May 14

7.30pm: Proclamation of festivities followed by an awards ceremony for the XXII Drawing Contest, organised by the Moors and Christians Central Board in partnership with other groups. At the end of the event, there will be live music from Colla el Falçó, Associació de Dolçainers i Tabaleters de Teulada band in Calle Calatayud.

Thursday June 15

9pm: Brotherhood dinner in Calle Denia with music.

1pm: Parade of the Moors and Christians bands in the historic Fortí building and Paseo del Senillar.

2pm: Gunpowder firing in the Moraira Castle esplanade.

7.15pm: Offering of flowers in honor of the Holy Christ of Moraira in the Castle Chapel. This will be followed by an interpretation of the march 'Ofrena al Castell' composed by Rafa Soriano, dedicated to the Central Board of Moors and Christians of Moraira and in particular its president, Carla Beltrán, and performed by all the bands.

11pm: Moorish Conquest on La Ampolla beach, followed by the Moorish Embassy and Conquest of Moraira Castle.

Saturday June 17

8am: Early morning gunpowder firing.

11am: Concentration of all the ranks in the Fortí and parade with banners.

12 noon: Mass in honor of the Holy Christ in Moraira Parish Church.

1pm: Arcabucería firing in the Caste esplanade followed by an informal parade of both Moorish and Christian sides.

7.30pm: Parade of the Moorish and Christian sides to La Ampolla beach.

8pm: Christian Reconquest on La Ampolla. beach Assault on Moraira Castle by the Christians, followed by the Christian Embassy and Reconquest of the Castle.

Midnight:  Retreat from the Fortí followed by a 'Night of Cábilas' with a performance by the AVALANXA orhestra in Avenida Portet.

Sunday June 18

8am: Early morning gunpowder firing.

12 noon: Concentration of the Moorish Band in the Fortí and Christian Band in Paseo del Senillar followed by a parade.

12.30pm: Gunpowder firing at the castle.

7pm: Bands parade from the Castle to the Fortí.

8pm: Grand Gala Parade of the Moors and Christians Bands.

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Image: Ayuntamiento de Moraira-Teulada