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Carnival in Xàbia: learn about its history and its different locations

Information
Event Date: February 18th 2023
Event type: Party
Site: Historic center
Schedule: Children's Parade: 17:30 p.m. Adult parade: 23:30 p.m.
Event finished

The Carnival party is one of those that does not have a specific date of celebration since it depends on the Christian Lent. In Xàbia, except for some exceptions, it is always celebrated on the Saturday before Ash Wednesday. But its beginnings were not exactly like that since in its more than 30 years of celebration it has modified its settings and dates.

We take a tour of its beginnings, celebrations and parties that were included in this holiday.

History

Carnival in Xàbia is a relatively young festival dating from 1987. Its origin is given by the Quintà of that year, who decided to start this festivity with the help of the Festival Commission of Fogueres de Sant Joan. Its location was the Placeta del Convent and the organizers' first costume was to wear 'Chinos'.

Several locations

After three years following the same dynamic and seeking to increase citizen participation in this festival, in the 90s, a change took place and the Carnival party moved to the Plaza de la Iglesia. On that occasion is when the owners of the bars are responsible for paying for the musical performance in exchange for being able to install their bars and offer drinks during the night.

This line of work has been operating for several years and the setting for the celebration is changing. First it is moved to the Athletics Track and later to the old site of the Portal del Clot, the upper part of the current car park. Finally, just a few years ago, the Town hall is in charge of carrying out this festival, but the organization continues to be the responsibility of the Fogueres de Sant Joan Festival Commission and the festival department. Its last and current location is the Plaza de la Constitución.

In reference to the days of celebration, the parade began on Fridays so that residents could attend the Carnival of other municipalities in the region such as Pego on Saturday. With the passage of time, Xàbia wanted to take power at his party and went on to celebrate it on Saturday.

Lost traditions

Next to the Carnival is the traditional celebration of 'l'enfarinà' and Burial of the Sardine. Two acts that once had their place in the Xàbia Carnival and with the passage of time have been lost.

Enfarinà

On one hand, l'Enfarinà, which if it is celebrated in some municipalities of the region, consists of a battle of flour between the neighbors that represents the beginning of the 'masked'.

Burial of the Sardine

Moreover, the Burial of the Sardine It symbolizes the end of Carnival and began Lent. In Xàbia, the week after the celebration of the carnival this act was performed in which the participants simulated a burial. Dressed in black and with a box of deceased interpreted the burial of the Sardine through the streets of the town.

Parades

From practically its beginnings, Xàbia has destined this party to all audiences and two different parades are held: one aimed at children and families and the other for adults.

Kids

This parade takes place in the afternoon, around 17:30 p.m., there is a tour of the streets of the historic center of Xàbia intended for children and families where the little ones, together with their family and friends show the other ' I' that they carry inside.

The epicenter of the festival has been, for several years now, the Plaza de la Constitución where after the children's parade there is a performance. This 2024 the show will be 'Fantasyland'.

Adults

At night, around 23:30 p.m., the protagonists of the tour are the adults, who show off their best costumes or represent characters that are in fashion at the time with originality. This parade is closed by the fifths and fifths of Les Fogueres de Sant Joan that same year.

Like the children's parade, there is a tour through the streets of the historic center, starting, this year, from the Placeta del Convent and arriving at the Plaza de la Constitución. Later, the Monte Carlo orchestra will perform in this same place.

Costume contest

Imagination and originality reign in many of the costumes that try to surprise the audience and the jury every year.

Normally, the organization with the collaboration of the merchants' associations hold a prize contest for the best costumes, awarding three cash prizes to the categories of best individual costume, best couple costume and best group costume taking into account the originality, the preparation, positively valuing the homemade preparation and the work done.

Since 2023, and after seeing how in recent years the level of costumes in the afternoon session has grown - both for children and the groups of parents who accompany them - the festival department has decided to reinforce the prizes for the most original In this children's carnival there is a prize of 50 euros for the individual modality, 100 euros for the best couple and 150 euros for the best group costume.

In the carnival parade for adults there will also be prizes with the same amounts for the best individual costume -€50-, best couple costume -€100- and best group costume -€150-.

People interested in participating in the contest can register half an hour before the parades.

Photos

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