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Alcoy 2009

Alcoy has been the centre of the world’s attention ever since the dawn of media and tourism. With its perfect blend of modernism and traditional culture combined with the historical architecture, Alcoy became the hot spot for tourists from all over the world. One feature, which made it famous and a popular tourist spot, is the festival of the Moors and Christians. The grand celebration gives the tourist much to enjoy and admire. The festival of Moros y Cristianos de Alcoy 2009 was, as in all previous years, the hub of much of the world’s tourists in April.

The buildings and streets of Alcoy had been decorated with colorful banners, tinsel and the flags of both the Moors and Christians. The historical city of Alcoy looked like a city out of a fairytale with its floats of castles, parading soldiers in full battle dress, camels, horses, elephants and even mesmerizing Arabian belly dancers. Tourists hung out of the balconies of the Hotel Reconquista that stands at the foot of the San Jorge Bridge. The windowsills and balconies of the hotel were decorated with the white flag and red cross of the Christian army. These balconies offer a view to die for, as it is not easy to secure a vantage point during this festival.

The first day began on the 22nd of April and ended on the 24th. As usual, the festival was kicked off with the parades of both armies, first the Christians in the morning and then the Moors in the early evening. Both parades were fantastic displays of the painstaking effort put into the preparations. Unbelievably large floats depicted cultural and traditional scenes from both sides. The castle upon which St. Jorge appeared was spectacularly modelled on one float and was the object of reverence for many Alcoyanos.

The costumes, the mood, the decorations, the music, the gusto and the enchanting environment all contributed to make the celebration of the Moors and Christians of Alcoy 2009 more memorable than the previous years.