Moors and Christians Returned to Vera

Moors and Christians Returned to Vera

Moors and Christians Returned to Vera Credit: Pixabay

Moors and Christians Returned to Vera.

In a stunning celebration the Moors and Christians have returned to Vera in Spain’s Almeria.

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic had previously prevented the Moors and Christians parade from happening in Vera and throughout Spain, but this year the Plaza de Toros hosted the Moors and Christians Parade on Saturday night.

The celebrations took place and even beat the weather with some 500 people in attendance. Everyone in attendance followed coronavirus safety measures such as the use of masks and social distancing. This event has long been awaited and has been severely missed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The stunning cultural event in Vera dates back to the 16th century and this year’s event was attended by the deputy for Culture and Cinema, Manuel Guzmán along with the mayor of the town, José Carmelo Jorge Blanco. Also in attendance were Carolina Pérez Gallardo, Councillor for the Presidency and Education, and Manuela Caparrós Flores, Councillor for Culture and the Elderly.

The event went fantastically well and José Carmelo Jorge commented that: “We have opted to make this Moors and Christians parade in person, although all security measures have been taken to prevent COVID-19, demonstrating that Culture and traditions can be safe. The Moors and Christians festival is one of the oldest in Spain. It is a historic event and we have to continue to make this type of cultural manifestations to attract tourism to our municipality”.

Manuel Guzmán gave thanks to all those involved with organising the event and highlighted that: “It is the first time there has been a Moors and Christians parade in two years in the whole of Spain. It takes place in the Plaza de Toros, with measures that are an example to follow. Today Vera has become a cultural reference not only at provincial level, but also at national level”.

The president of the Moors and Christians Cultural Association of Vera, spoke of the town’s courage in holding the first parade in Spain since beginning the coronavirus pandemic. He commented that: “we feel very proud to have had the courage to hold the first Moors and Christians parade in Spain. We have also invested a great deal of effort in carrying out a security protocol so that all participants and the public are safe. The participants have been tested for antigens in order to feel safe.”

He also went on to highlight the history and tradition of the stunning event and explained that: “eight years ago we recovered this tradition and we consider that it has become established in the municipality. There is data that indicates that this tradition dates back to 1580 and it lasted for four centuries until 1919, when, due to unknown circumstances, it was discontinued. In 2014 we recovered it again, but instead of doing it on the feast of San Cleofás in September, we have made it coincide with the feast of the patron saint, the Virgen de las Angustias, coinciding with the date of the Reconquest of Vera”.


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Alex
Written by

Alex Glenn

Originally from the UK, Alex is based in Almeria and is a web reporter for The Euro Weekly News covering international and Spanish national news. Got a news story you want to share? Then get in touch at editorial@euroweeklynews.com.

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