A spectacular and colorful gala parade puts an end to the Moors and Christians festivities of Xàbia 2022

The long-awaited festivals of Moors and Christians of Xàbia came to an end last night with a spectacular gala parade in which the great pageantry of the filà Capitana, the Filà Ballesters, with their captains Florencio Mata and Rosa Catalá.

The captains, Florencio and Rosa, in the Moors and Christians Xàbia 2022 gala parade

After two years without being able to celebrate a single festive act, the Moorish and Christian rows of Xàbia gave everything in this new edition. The striking color of the costumes and makeup, the music, the public and of course, the desire and dedication of each of the participants made the last gala parade shine through the streets of Duanes de la Mar.

Filà Al-Tarik's in the Moors and Christians Xàbia 2022 gala parade

The Moorish and Christian flag bearers, on a large float, were in charge of opening the parade on each of their sides. In the first place, the troops of the crescent took the streets of Xàbia before a large and devoted public.

Christian flag bearer opening the gala parade Moors and Christians Xàbia 2022

During the parade, the most awaited moment was the arrival of the pageantry of the Filà Capitana, the Filà Ballesters, which surprised all attendees with the closure of the parade of the captains at street level. Acclaimed and applauded by thousands of people, another of the star moments of the act came, going through the rostrum of authorities.

The squad corporal of the Filà Capitana greets the mayor of Xàbia during the 2022 parade

The pageantry of the Ballesters Captaincy

The filà Ballesters, Captaincy since 2020, made its triumphal entry into Customs emulating a great victory "after two long years of conflict" making a clear reference to the health crisis and transcending the historical reminiscence of the Christian reconquest. A pageantry with a great female presence as a reflection of the great weight that women have acquired in the filà in recent years.

Start of pageantry and parade of the Filà Capitana, Ballesters

Of military and medieval inspiration, the display starring the Ballesters was divided into two parts: The Army of the Captains and Royalty and military elite. In the first of them, the drums and war horns announced the arrival of the victorious troops after the arduous fight: A complete human and weapons battalion made up of more than 50 soldiers (mostly women) made up of archers, spearwomen and crossbowmen, battering rams and other war implements.

Women archers in the Moors and Christians Xàbia 2022 gala parade

A group of friars announced to neighbors and foreigners the end of the fight while ringing their bells. Next, the heraldic banners of the Mata Catalá family preceded the passage of the lords of the castle. Brand new and at street level next to the town that has suffered and endured so much during these last two years, the Ballesters 2022 Captains, Florencio Mata Crespo and Rosa Catalá Torres, flanked by a large council of wise men.

Those who have already earned the nice nickname of "the Catholic Monarchs of Xàbia", dazzled with spectacular costumes that they had not worn so far throughout all the festivities. In addition, and to the surprise of the Captain, they were accompanied by the Colla de Moros Nous de Petrer interpreting the compositions Rey Rodrigo and Penyalba, which has a striking section of bagpipes, premiered in Xàbia, being one of the wishes that Catalá, corporal of la filà for decades, had manifested on more than one occasion.

Captains 2022 of the Filà Ballesters, Florencio Mata and Rosa Catalá

Protecting his Captains, he followed the military elite of the filà formed by his two main squads. First the masculine one directed by Pere Cholbi Segarra and closing the feminine one with Carmen Torres Savior in front. Framing the passage of both a large wooden cross and playing loudly, the Parcent music band and the Creu Daurà and Capitania Cides marches.

At the end, the fireworks display was fired that put an end to the Moors and Christians festivities 2022.

Fireworks castle end of Moors and Christians Xàbia 2022