When you move to a different country, you may experience a bit of culture shock, and when you buy a property for sale in the Costa Blanca, you will find that all towns or villages have regular festivals, including one for their town’s Patron Saint, which is celebrated with great enthusiasm every year. These religious festivities are rooted in the region's Catholicism and will include both solemn processions and Masses in the local church as well as colourful processions to music from the local band, singing, dancing, eating and drinking local products and lots of fantastic firework displays. Each town will have their own celebration, and there will be some common aspects that unite these celebrations. Learning about and participating in these traditions will help you to integrate, meet your neighbours and begin to fully enjoy your new lifestyle. Animal owners should always take care to know when their town is holding a Fiesta of any sort so that they can keep their pet safely indoors.
The Patron Saint of each community is revered, and frequently they are linked to local history and miracles they are said to have performed, and their feast day is marked with reverence. Those who buy a villa in the Costa Blanca will soon become familiar with the local festivities. For those who are just starting their search for a new home for sale, here are the Saints' Days relevant to places that you might be considering.
In Finestrat, Saint Bartholomew is held in late August and San Antonio is held in mid-January with the unusual ritual of young people marching through the streets with a pig and collecting donations from all their neighbours, different forms of the San Antonio festival take place throughout the region in January, and many communities bring the pets and livestock to the church square to be blessed. Alfas del Pi celebrate San Jose in March, and Altea celebrate San Blas together with their Moors and Christians celebration in late September. Before this, in August Calpe celebrates its saint, the Virgen de las Nieves, while Moraira honours Our Lady of the Forsaken – Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados in July. The feast of San Sebastian is celebrated by the people in Javea on 20th January, and in Denia, San Roc is celebrated jointly with the Virgin of the Assumption festival in the middle of August.
For those who buy property in Jalon Valley, the celebrations for Santa Ana and San Jaime in July in Castel de Castells and Orba will honour Santissimo Cristo at this time as well. Scattered around the valleys, there will be many other religious and historical festivals, so do keep an eye out for what might be happening in your area.
Spain is proud of its heritage, and much of this is centred around community meals and their local cuisine. The Valencia region is the home of the original, traditional Paella, and this is, therefore, something that many pride themselves on making better than their neighbour. As a result, many towns now hold a good-hearted Paella making competition during saints’ day festivities with judges there to evaluate the flavour and texture of the dish. Baking competitions may also be held, as well as floral creations for the processions and costume contests. This also means that there is plenty for the community to taste and enjoy as well as admire, indeed, sometimes a large Paella is cooked to be served to any townsfolk who would like something to eat. Joining in with these wonderful events is part and parcel of life when you purchase a home in the Costa Blanca.
New traditions have been added to the lighter side of these religious celebrations, with running and cycling races as well as other sporting events. There are both children’s and adult races to swim between beaches, and other towns will also have their own competitions, races and games of friendly rivalry. Controversially, most towns do still hold some form of bull running during these festivals, but if, like many others, you would prefer to avoid this, times are clearly notified in advance so that this can be avoided.
You will notice, as you search for property for sale in the Costa Blanca, that Spaniards and other members of the communities are very house proud and enjoy making sure that even the smallest outdoor space is adorned with flowering plants. Likewise, during Fiesta, neighbours will enjoy competing for the best decorated balcony or street, and residents will endeavour to create the best display for the panel of judges.
In addition to celebrating their town's Patron Saint, people of the Costa Blanca also join the rest of Spain to celebrate John the Baptist on 24th June, Saint James the Patron Saint of Spain on July 25th and in the lead up to Christmas St Nicholas of Bari is honoured on 6th December and in some places, children will start to receive some small gifts.
These wonderful occasions provide great entertainment for all members of the community but are based upon deep reverence for both their religious beliefs and community values. When you buy a home in the Costa Blanca, try to familiarise yourself with the program for each event so that you are fully aware of which days will be spent attending devout masses and walking in sombre procession carrying the image of the Saint being honoured above the crowd. More lively celebrations will follow, and you will be able to sensitively be a part of and enjoy the community spirit and traditions at these wonderful Fiestas.
