The “Moros y Cristianos” festival in Cocentaina is one of the oldest traditions in the village as well as one of the first celebrated in the Comunidad Valenciana province.
It is celebrated the second weekend of August and is dedicated to the Cocentaina patron saint Hippolyte. In 1986, the “Moros i Cristians” festival was formally declared a tourist attraction by the regional government, Generalidad Valenciana.
The organization and regulation of the event is carried out by a committee, “Federación Junta de Fiestas”, which is affiliated to the national festival association “Unión Nacional De Entidades Festeras” (UNDEF).
People participating in Cocentaina festival are grouped into clubs the so called “Filaes” or “Filà”. When people talk of “going to the Filà” they refer to a clubhouse where periodically people actively participating in the festival (“festers/es”) gather. The leader of the “Filà” is called the “Cap de Filà” (“Filà” head) and there is a treasurer, who is called the “Fiança”.
The festival lasts four days and the events and parades within it are distinct from other towns celebrating this type of festival. We can highlight the most important events starting with the “Publicació”. On that day, one member of each “Filà” dresses in their particular costume and participates in a parade; thus declaring the “Filaes” participation in the forthcoming August festival. The “Publicació” has been celebrated in Cocentaina since 1765 and it is always the last Saturday of June.
The next important day is the “Dia dels Comptes” (finances day). Running the festival incurs a lot of expenses and for that reason each member of the “Filà” contributes a fixed amount of money each week to the “Fiança” (this procedure is called the “ratlla”). Finances day is the first weekend of August and represents a deadline when each member must have paid their dues completely for the festival.
Next follow the three most spectacular days of the festival. The official opening of the festival begins on Friday afternoon of the second weekend of August when a huge group of musicians (“banda”) plays the festival anthem (“Himne de Festes”). Then, all the “festers” go to their respective “Filaes” to have dinner; the menu is a typical Cocentaina dish: “Olleta Contestana” (rice with beans, bacon, pig’s ribs, “morcillas” and cardoons). Following the meal there is an evening parade (“Nit de l’Olla”) in which all the “festers” participate. This parade symbolizes the preparation of the Moorish and Christian troops for the war.
The second day, at dawn the “Primera Diana” is held in the town square (City Hall) with all “festers” in full costume. At midday the “Embajada del Contrabando” takes place (celebrated since 1864); the two “Filaes” involved in this event are “Contrabandistas” and “Maseros”. In the afternoon, the Moorish and Christians troops show all their majesty and originality in the so-called “Entrada de Moros y Cristianos”. Each year there are four “Filaes” (two Moorish and two Christians) that prepare special shows and parades for the event: one assumes the role of “Capitan” and the other the role of “Abanderado”.
The third day is specifically dedicated to the patron saint. In the morning, the “Segunda Diana” is held, but this time, children are also allowed to participate in the parade. At midday, the “Presentación de Armas”, a tribute to the festival officials takes place at City Hall square. This day’s event originated in 1750.
In the afternoon there is a procession around the town with the image and relic of the Saint. At night there is another parade, the “Retreta” where the “festers” show their appreciation to the crowds who have watched them by giving out presents and sweets.
On the final day, all the “festers” meet at the Mariola mountain at dawn and they start the “Alardo”, in which they simulate a battle by using their guns.
At 11 am there is a play the “Estafeta del Moro”, in which the Christian troops ask the Moorish Captain to surrender (“Embajada Mora); and as he doesn’t accept, a new battle starts. It is a very noisy day and the smell of the gunpowder floats over the town.
Later on, two “Filaes” (Bequeteros and Caballería Ministerial or Cavallets) start the “Embaixà de les tomaques”, a battle in which they use tomatoes to throw at each other.
At around 6:30 pm, we have the “Estafeta del Cristiano” (Embajada Cristiana) and after this battle, the Moorish are beaten, the Christians win and re-conquer the castle and the town.
After that, there is a thanksgiving prayer at the “Virgen del Milagro” Monastery (Miracle Virgen); where people pray to St. Hippolyte and to the Virgin Milagro (the matron Saint of Cocentaina). Finally, the Saints’ image is brought back to its church (El Salvador).
Throughout the year there are also other activities the “festers” organise like the “Olleta de la Purísima” (December 7th), where the “filaes” celebrate the day of the Immaculate Conception (December 8th). For that, they get together and they eat the “Olleta” we mentioned above.
