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A Spanish Fiesta
A Spanish Fiesta
(Benidorm)  

Fiesta is a party! To the outsider a fiesta just looks like a reason for a party – but in actual fact there is a reason behind each and every one – and it’s usually religious. Most of us are familiar with Benidorm’s annual fiestas in November and many book their holiday’s especially to coincide, but inland, the village fiestas are every bit as spectacular and each honours a different saint.


Such is the case in Xirles (pronounced cheer-lez) a typical Spanish village just 20 minutes inland who celebrate their annual fiestas in honour of ‘Sant Ramon Nonato’ on August 31st. Ramon (or Raymond in English) was born by caesarian section in 1204…hence the Nonato, (it means “not born” in Latin).

He was put into a monastery by his father, but when he was old enough, he was sent on various missions to North Africa, where his objective was preach Christianity, and to pay ransoms, to rescue Christian slaves, captured by the Arabs there!                                                                                      

He was captured several times, and even had his lips padlocked together, to try and stop him preaching!

(Unsuccessfully) and eventually returned to Spain at the age of 35 and summoned to Rome by the Pope, but died on the journey.His body was returned to Cataluña, and he was declared a saint in 1657.     

Nowadays, he is the patron saint of childbirth, midwives and children. This being the reason that every year, on the 31st of August, the streets of this little village, fill with exited hordes, to take the candle lit journey, around the narrow byways.

An effigy of Sant Ramon is carried, on the shoulders of some of the strongest in the village. (Its heavy!) and people travel from all over Spain, either to have their pregnancy or newborns blessed, and even some ladies walk barefoot, paying a “penance” to overcome difficulties becoming pregnant!

The procession finishes, at a little altar in the street, where every single one is blessed.

Then, in true Valencian fashion the event ends with a deafening roar of fireworks, as they are set off in a line, from one end of the main street to the other!

Viva Sant Ramon!!!