This weekend sees the eagerly awaited return to one of the most popular and biggest events to take to the streets of Orihuela, the Medieval Market, 2014, which opens on Friday.
The 42,000 euro contract was awarded to the company, La Asociación Cultural Destellos, the only bidder to stage the event, a theatrical company founded in 1986 that works with the PirámideArt of Alicante and with the support of an international street theatre group, the Festival Internacional de Teatro en la Calle, or FITEC.
Not knowing how many companies would bid, it is natural for those looking to receive the award to propose improvements and added value to their service provision, one such development to this year´s event is lighting for both the streets and the iconic Orihuela buildings.
Launching the event this week, the councillor for festivities, Carolina Gracia of the PSOE, along with representatives of historic groups in the municipality, detailed how the event this year will see a total of 151 entertainment activities on the streets.
Whilst presenting the poster, advertising and television campaign for this year´s event, Gracia explained how this festival is important for the profile of Orihuela, attracting both residents and holidaying tourists alike, and allows the monuments of the city to be seen for the value they hold.
Gracia went on to detail how the events will be spread over the 3 days of the festival, with 49 on Friday, 52 on Saturday and 50 on Sunday, which will include parades , dance, theatre , exhibitions and musical performances.
The site of both the market and parade will be almost identical to last year, although it is hoed without the addition of the high winds that caused a number of problems to both stall holders and visitors, but the main starting point will be different and be on Plaza de Santiago, to the entrance to the city of Santo Domingo Church.
Antonio Manuel García Alcocer, President of the Asociación de Fiestas de Moros y Cristianos, further emphasised the role of the market as “one of the most important held in Spain”, as it is in a “unique environment”, of the cultural on history rich streets.
A bus service is being provided once again from the coast to Orihuela, to enable coastal residents to visit the Medieval Market without the hassle of driving or parking.
This year, the bus service running on the three days of the festival, will allow for longer time at the event to soak up the atmosphere.
The buses will run on Friday the 31st of January and Saturday the 1st and 2nd of February, departing from Playa Flamenca at 09:00, returning at 14:00, then again at 16:00, returning at 21:00.
The buses will also pick up and drop off at Entre Naranjos, as required, allowing those inland residents to also enjoy the festivities.
The price of the bus is just 5.30€ return from the Orihuela Costa, and just 3.30€ from Entre Naranjos, payable to the driver upon boarding.
However, in order to ensure that enough seats are available, booking is essential. This can be done by simply calling the Tourist Office at Playa Flamenca on 96 676 00 00 Ext. 32/24, or by popping in to the office, and you can also email orihuelaplaya@touristinfo.net. The Zenia Boulevard Tourist Office team are also able to take booking for the first time this year, so you can even pop in during your normal shopping trip.
The event is expected to be a huge success once again this year, and as it is one of the biggest Medieval Markets in Europe, it is one event to tantalise and tease everybody of all ages, and one event not to be missed.
Source: The Leader
Full programme in English, map & parking information here.