What do you think the holiday season will look like after two years of not being able celebrate them?
It will be a holiday filled with emotion, joy, reunions, and feelings just below the surface. This is the first year for everyone. It’s the first party after the devastating pandemic. They will be special parties, I hope and pray that there will be a lot of people attending and visiting.
What are your top highlights from the 2022 parties
This year, I want to highlight the union and “desire” of enjoying something similar to ours like the Moorish or Christian festivals in honour of Our Lady La Virgen de la Cabeza. They have been sorely missed and are so essential for all Benamaurelenses.
Are there any special events?
These are not special events, but they will be the first post-pandemic party parties. However, we do have something new in our programming. Saturday, the 23rd of September at 12:00 noon, there will be an arquebus ceremony at the Parque de la Canada.
Gunpowder is a key resource in our region and in our parties in particular. We had a pending issue. Give it the right place.
Are there any invited squads or teams this year?
There are details that remain to be finalized so information cannot be disclosed yet. However, there will be invited teams as it is important that our parties grow and become more known.
What is the role of the municipality in the celebrations?
The City Council and council put in extra effort to ensure everything runs smoothly. Although the efforts of the Brotherhood and Comparsas are vital for the city’s development, the City Council handles all the basics such as security, cleaning, and shows. We are always looking for ways to meet the needs of Benamaurelense as well as visitors to ensure that everything runs smoothly.
Who and how do they organize the parties?
The Festival Committee serves as the point of contact for all the classes involved in the festival. It is composed of the representatives of the city council (in this case the mayor, myself as the councilor of culture and festivals), and the directors of the Comparsas Mora and Pakkos del Guardal, Cristiana and the Brotherhood of the Virgen de la Cabeza.
Each group has its own function, and the end result is the result the hard work and dedication of all those who work to improve and develop our festivals.
What is the number of people who participate in parties, how many teams, Moors and Christians are there, as well as Pakkos?
Each comparsa (Moorish Christian, Christian, and Pakka) is composed of approximately 200 festeros. In the Christian comparsa, these festeros are broken into 12 squads, while in the Moorish comparsa they are split into 14 squads. We could also add the components of the Brotherhood, Badges of Our Lady of the Head and role players, musicians, and companions. We could easily say that more than 1000 people participate in parades.
What does the celebrations mean for Benamaurel’s economy?
They are a good investment because each year is better than previous ones. However, they also provide a great source for income as there is 100% occupancy at hotels and rural accommodation. In addition to full houses in bars and restaurants, this creates a wide benefit in local commerce.
Finally, I want to use the communication medium to invite everyone to enjoy, along with all Benamaurelenses as one additional partygoer, our beloved Moors festivities in honor of Our Lady. The Virgin of the Head. You will enjoy the unique and colorful parades of the “Papers”, as well as the pilgrimage procession, and other activities. It is certain that you will have a wonderful time experiencing one of the most iconic traditions in the area and the Granada Geopark. They are celebrated from April 22 through 26, with the respective parades and representations of “Los Papeles”, on Sunday and Monday.
