Days 98 & 99 - No one does fiesta like the Spanish
Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st October 2018We are in Calpe, Spain for the 4 day Moors & Christians Fiesta. If I tried to cover these 2 days (we are doing just 2 days, not all 4) as a diary entry you would soon fall asleep. So, in an attempt to maintain your interest, please step aboard for a mini history lesson with technically inaccurate photos throughout by way of illustration.A few important notes first:Firstly, we are only attending 2 parts of the fiesta:1. The Moors and Christians Parade on the Avenida Gabriel Miró2. The Landing and First Battle at the Arenal-Bol beach.The parade alone is a 3 hour long spectacle and partying will go on till 4am every day of the fiesta at least. We may be fit but don't have anywhere near the stamina of the Spanish when they get into Fiesta mode.Secondly, the Spanish are not so interested in the accuracy or authenticity of their costumes and re-enactments. It's about spectacle. At which they excel.Finally, the following photos are not chronological. By any stretch of the imagination.Let me begin...Calpe has, like most European sea ports, had a rough history. For example; The town was plundered by Barbary pirates in 1687 and the 290 townsfolk were all taken to Algeria and imprisoned for 5 years, until their liberation in exchange for gold and the release of pirate prisoners.But defeat is not suitable fiesta material. What is needed here is a good old story of triumph over adversity. We must therefore wait almost 60 years for such a daring tale which begins early in the morning of the 22nd October 1744.
On that day the Moors, who were in league with Moncofar, a Muslim who had grown up among the Christians but turned traitor, launched an attack on the Christian citizens of Calpe with the help of the Barbary pirates. Also known as the Barbary Corsairs and/or the Ottoman Corsairs.
These pirates were a mixed bunch, hailing from just about every North African town along the Barbary coast (hence the name). Fortunately however, fiesta rules permit certain liberties with dress, costume, gender, geographical and political correctness. This allows our enthusiastic Fiesta participants pretty much free range with their costumes. Often with more than just a nod towards pantomime, Lord of the Rings and of course, Las Vegas (not that I'm complaining).
Anyway, back to the history lesson...
A force of about 1,000 Moors and pirates landed on the beach that morning.
At this time in history Calpe is a very small walled town with only about 20 houses inside the rather dilapidated walls with a consequent muster of only 60 fighting men.20 of them went down to the beach and managed to hold off the 1,000 for about an hour and a half.
This doesn't say much for the military capability of the attacking force. Too busy with their makeup perhaps?
Eventually the defenders were driven off the beach by the pirates...
...and up the hill (past the shops?) to the town.
Moncófar (read baddie) tried to smuggle the Moors into the village, but thanks to the intercession of "Caragol" (I found nothing on the internet in English, sorry)...
...who managed to close the gates to the village supposedly with help from the “Santisimo Cristo del Sudor” (no photos. Deities are notoriously camera shy), his attempts failed.A few days later the Pirates, disgusted at the price of deck chairs and coffee, sailed away never to be seen again. Presumably they went off for a spot of gentle predation elsewhereIt's a great show and if you ever find yourself in these parts at the end of October I thoroughly recommend a visit. Bring ear plugs.
[wpvideo dsr2sXyN ]