Coinciding with the first weekend after Easter, and therefore with the commemoration in the saint’s calendar of the festival of Sant Vicent Ferrer, Agullent celebrates its Moors and Christians. A festival that recalls the struggles and wars between Christian and Muslim kingdoms, a symbolism that we can see in the acts of the Dianas, the Entrance, the Alardos and the Embassies, where the verbal struggle for the castle is staged, closing the festival.
The Moors and Christians Festival of Agullent takes us every year to the mirror of history, reminding us of our origins as a people and our identities, with acts of colourful dress, full of music and the sound of gunpowder. Agullent has an ancient, deep-rooted and unique festival, which is obviously permeable to new contributions, both in the festive and musical fields, but which remains constant in its idiosyncrasy, which makes it original.
Main festive events
The Entrance
The Entrance of Agullent is a must for the whole region. The festive programming of Agullent, includes common acts in the territories of the Morochristian celebration, but that denote some particularities.
The Retreta
Thus, for example, on the day of the Entrance, at night, the Retreta takes place, a night parade with paper lanterns. A parade that connects with the September festivities dedicated to our patron saint Sant Vicent Ferrer.
Combregar dels Impedits (Communion of the Disabled)
They also unite, religion and celebration in the act of Combregar dels Impedits. To the arms flowers, to the hands of the festive bouquets and the silent audience. All united in a solid collective identity, which is another of the most significant features of our festival.
Embassies
A battle without weapons, a battle made of words that brings together the Moorish and Christian armies as far as the main square. From the top of the castle that is mounted on the facade of the town hall, an ambassador defends the conquered territory, and from the middle of the square, on the back of a horse, another one cries out to his God for the keys to the town. A theatrical performance, with the whole town acting as both audience and actors.
