We attended the “Exposicion del Ninot” display where you can vote for the best Fogueres of 2017. What makes this so interesting, is that a miniature of each Foguere of the current year is created. They are put on display for people to view and cast a vote for their favorite one.
Entrance to the Exposicion del Ninot 2017
We went inside to view the fogueres and cast our vote. The room was very large and there were fogueres displayed throughout the entire room. Each foguere had an identification card with a number and the barrio it was from.
Foguere identification cardFogueres on display along the entire walls of the large room
We began walking slowly through the room admiring the amazing art of the fogueres. Each one was unique and had great details. Some were whimsical and almost cartoon like.
whimsical foguere
Other fogueres had themes or represented strong messages.
One of the Foguere’s with a specific message.
The message is a quote from Oscar Wilde which states “They’ve promised that dreams can come true, but forgot to mention that nightmares are dreams, too.” The image was very powerful and was very well done.
Foguere with strong message and image
One of the entries commemorates a prominent person involved in the fogueres in Alicante for years.
Foguere commemorating the life of a prominent Spanish person involved in the fogueres for years in AlicanteHomage to Antulio SanJuan Ribes
We walked through the first room amazed at all the great artwork of the fogueres.
Ray looking at the fogueres
After about a half an hour looking at the fogueres we came to another hallway and were shocked to find even more fogueres in the next room.
A second room full of fogueres.Jim and Anne looking at Fogueres
In total there were 89 fogueres which made it very hard to cast our vote. Below is a gallery of the fogueres, try to decide which one of them is the best.
There is a carnival in Alicante that starts on February 23rd and continues until March 5th. The carnival is full of different activities that include fireworks, dressing in costumes and other events. The carnival begins with a parade through some of the streets of Alicante ending with a big party at the Plaza del Carmen. The parade is full of people walking through the street some are dressed as devils and setting off fireworks and sparklers.
We headed over to the Plaza del Carmen early to check out the area before the big crowds showed up. There was a stage set up for music another section with a bar and some barbecue pits. We then could hear the parade approaching through the narrow streets so we headed over to watch the parade.
Parade procession through the narrow streets of Alicante
We watched the crowds of people gather into the Plaza del Carmen. Some people were dressed in capes, with makeup and wearing devils horns, others were playing musical instruments and singing. People were pushing carts full of fireworks and they were carrying bicycle wheels with fireworks attached.
One of the many carts used to push the fireworksRay standing beside one of the carts
Once everyone was gathered in the plaza they started to set off fireworks in the middle of the plaza. It was an amazing thing to see because the sparkles were raining down on the crowd.
Fireworks and sparklers in Plaza del Carmen
They also stood on the shoulders of other people to elevate the sparklers.
climbing up on the shoulders of another person to set off fireworksStanding on the shoulders of people to set off fireworks
We stayed and watched the fireworks show for a while and left once the live music began. The experience was unique and spectacular. What amazed Ray was the use of handheld fireworks and the lack of apparent concerns for injury.
Here is a small video to give you an example of the fireworks.
Muro is a quaint little town of 9000 people in the foothills of Sierra Mariola mountain. We took a small tour group to Muro to explore the unique little town. Our first stop in Muro was at a local family company called “Pericana de Muro”. The family business which is dedicated to the enhancement and elaboration of “home canning” has been established for generations. We were greeted by the owner and his brother and provided multiple samples to try.
Group at the Pericana with Owner Miguel
The owner “Miguel” is pictured in the original image of the business when he was a small child.
Family business logo and the photo of the original family Miguel is the small child in the photo.
Miguel treated us to a very warm and enjoyable experience at the Pericana. We sampled many different canned products with only locally grown organic produce. The different samples were extremely tasty. Miguel also made sure everyone was treated to a sampling of local wine. There is a tradition of sharing wine using a neat wine decanter with a large spout. Miguel demonstrated how the decanter worked.
Miguel demonstrating the use of the wine decanter.
Some of the people enjoyed the wine using the decanter while others drank the wine in a glass.
One of the people in our tour group enjoying the wine using the decanter method.
We sampled about six different types of canned items.
Some of the samples at the Pericana business
We tried all the samples, using bread and enjoyed them immensely. There were different products such as tomato jam, cod, and peppers even aromatic herbs with virgin oil and tomatoes. All of the products were locally grown and without any preservatives. Miguel was very proud of the products and was a very gracious host to the group.
Miguel and Ray at the Pericana.
After tasting the different products Miguel insisted that he take us for a tour of his hometown of Muro. We headed out for a walk of the downtown area of Muro.
Muro was celebrating their annual medieval festival and the entire downtown area was converted to a medieval theme.
Main Plaza area of Muro, Spain
We walked through the narrow streets looking at the various merchandise on display.
Vendors at Medieval Festival in Muro
We walked along the streets and we came across a group of people playing music.
Musicians warming up in preparation for the parade
They were part of the parade which was going to start shortly. We were greeted by a counselor who was part of the group leading the parade. We were invited to participate and walk with her in the lead of the parade. We walked with her to the main square as part of the head of the parade. It was considered an honor to be in the lead of the parade.
After the parade, we headed to a very old Bodega in town, called “Celler La Muntanya”. We toured part of the Bodega and went into the original cellar of the Bodega.
Stairway down to the original Bodega La Muntanya Cellar in MuroCellar of the Bodega La MuntanyaCellar hallway to different area in cellar
It was very interesting walking through the Cellar of a Bodega which was established for centuries. We then headed back to the courtyard of the Bodega for a rest before heading out to see the remainder of the town.
Liz, Shelley, and Barbara taking a break in the courtyard of the Bodega.
We then continued our walk into the center of town. There were numerous displays and shops along the way. One which we stopped at was very unique. The shop contained some great antiques and the owners were celebrating the festival and providing free drinks and snacks.
Antique store in Moro, Spain
Some of the interesting antiques included a Roman scale, old phone, tools and other old household items.
Scale from the Roman timesAntique phoneOld guy with an old mirrorFilipe and the owner of the antique store
The owner was very friendly and welcomed us into the back of the store to show us his favorite antique. In the back of the store, he had an antique street music box which played music when you crank the handle.
Antique Street Music box
He gave us a demonstration of the music box which played a traditional Spanish tune.
We had a great time with lots of laughs at the store. He treated us like a family guest which was very humbling. We then headed to the main square and checked out the Medieval festival.
Ray looking at the pastries in the MarketFresh dates being sold at the market
The entire town of Muro seemed to be very pleased to have us visiting their town. In fact, the local television station came and did an interview. I was trying to stay out of the media spotlight but they asked me and after only one year in Spain, I was on television again.
Ray being interviewed by the local Spanish television crew.
Muro is a very beautiful town and we enjoyed our visit immensely. It felt like we had a nice visit with close friends.
The town of Alcoy or (Alcoi) is known for their annual Christian and Moor Fiesta. It is one of the oldest festivals of this kind in Spain. The fiesta original began (it is believed) the year after the battle in 1277. It has been internationally known and declared of International tourist Interest, since 1980. The three-day event consists of parades, music, and reenactments of the battles between the Christians and the Moors. They wear elaborate costumes, ride horses and use replicated weapons and fireworks as part of the reenactment. The Alcoy festival commemorates the battle between the Christians and Moors which was fought in 1276.
We went to the Christian/Moors museum in Alcoy, it is situated in a modern three-story building. We went to the third floor and began our visit eventually going down to the first level. Our first stop was in a small theater to view a movie of the event. Below are a few images from the video depicting the activities of the Fiesta.
Images from the reenactment of the Christians and Moors Battle
We watched the video which had parts of the amazing reenactment of the battle and some history of the event. There were also mannequins in costumes situated in the theater.
Ray in front of the costumed mannequins in theater
We then walked through the museum admiring the exhibits and the ornate costumes. On the second floor, we came to a large room with costumes that were used in the fiesta over the years. There were costumes for the children of the fiesta.
Costumes used in the Alcoy Christian and Moors Festival
The displays were very impressive and each mannequin had an information plaque depicting the year it was used in the fiesta.
Some of the older costumes used in the fiesta1921 costume used in fiesta
There were also adult costumes on display from different years of the fiesta. There were rows and rows of very impressive and ornate costumes. We took our time and walked the rows of displays. Below are a few images of the costumes. There are even a few cameo appearances in some of the photos.
Adult costumes on display of the fiesta in Alcoy.Costumes on display from the Alcoy fiesta
The costumes were extremely ornate and very impressive.
We then went to the next level of the museum where we saw some of the exhibits on the making of the costumes. There is a very detailed and complex process for the creation of the costumes. Every year the “Boatos” which loosely translates to mean “the pageantry designers” create new designs for the important roles in the fiesta. They conceptualize the sketch, choose the materials and colors and coordinate all the artisans that take part in its creation. Then the new costumes is created for the fiesta.
Design images for the costumes of the fiestaSome of the materials and jewelry used in the making of the costumes
There was also a meeting room which is used for the organization. The room is also decorated with costumes and images from the festival.
Meeting room for the organization of the fiesta.
The museum also had on display artifacts and old books of the history of the Christian and Moor fiesta. The first recorded photograph of the fiesta is dated back to 1876.
Historical photographs of the Alcoy fiesta
There were historical books, art and other documentation depicting the long history of the fiesta.
Painting in the Christian/Moor museum in AlcoyPoster of a previous Fiesta
The visit to the Alcoy museum was very interesting. We enjoyed walking through the museum admiring the costumes and reading about the history of the fiesta. It is amazing to see how they maintain the history of a battle between the Christians and the Moors that occurred in 1276.
On January 5th, we went to see the three Kings parade called “Los Reyes Magos” or Cabalatas. This is a major Christian festival in Spain and a highlight for the children. In Alicante, the Three Kings arrive by boat and are greeted by hundreds of Children on the shoreline of the Mediterranean Sea.
Parents and children waiting for the arrival of the Three Kings
It was a beautiful day and we went to the Volvo museum at 4:30 p.m. This gave us the perfect vantage point to watch the arrival of the three Kings. We could see the three Kings coming to dock on a Guardia Civil boat.
Police boat docking with the Three Kings
There were hundreds of children and parents of all ages there waiting to greet them.
The Three Kings getting the waiting children.
Once the three Kings came ashore they walked through the crowd giving small gifts and talking to the children. It was amazing to see how many children were there trying to get a chance to speak to the three Kings.
One of the three Kings going through the crowd of children
The three Kings walked slowly through the crowd and it took them almost an entire hour to get out of the marina area. They then went by vehicle escorted by the police to the Plaza de Toros. There the three kings did activities with the children before the start of the Grand Cabalgata at 7 p.m.
We walked along the parade route weaving through the heavy crowds of people until we came to the start of the parade.
Crowds of people along the parade routecrowds waiting for the three Kings
There were tens of thousands of people along both sides of the road waiting for a chance to see the three Kings. As the parade moved along there were candy, chocolate bars, gifts and other treats thrown out to the crowd. Children were calling and waving in the hopes of catching some candy or a gift. There was a frenzy of activity with the children grabbing and jumping for candy.
One of the three Kings float and candy being thrown to the crowd
We stopped and watched the parade go by. It took almost three hours for the parade to finish. We were often hit by flying candy and we even caught a few candy for ourselves.
The parade was well-organized and there were lots of police security throughout the parade route. Main routes were secured with tow trucks and police cars blocking the way.
Police controlled intersections of the parade routePolice controlling crowd access to the parade route
There were police throughout the parade and some walking in the parade. Although there were large crowds, we felt very safe knowing the security was in place.
Medical response units on standby along parade route
The newspaper reported that there were over 100,000 people at the parade. We have never experienced a Grand Cabalgata, it was an exciting, and fun event. The emotions of the children and the atmosphere of the crowds made it a very memorable event.
We put a video below of some of the parade and hope you enjoy a snapshot of the Grand Cabalgata.
The visit to the Alcoy museum was very interesting. We enjoyed walking through the museum admiring the costumes and reading about the history of the fiesta. It is amazing to see how they maintain the history of a battle between the Christians and the Moors that occurred in 1276.
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