FESTIVITIES AND FESTIVALS

At the beginning of the year, the Águilas Carnival is held. Imagination and sense of humour reign in these two weeks full of colour. Impossible fancy dress, krewes and a massive public and contestant attendance make this Carnival unique in Spain.

Easter in Cartagena is significant due to the devotion of its brotherhoods and the quality of its religious images. The emotional processions are also important in Lorca because they contribute to it uniqueness in national scene. Easter in Murcia is also considered extraordinary. It is well-known thanks to its baroque spirit, its magnificent penitents and its tradition of offering presents and sweets during processions. Finally, Jumilla Easter has a sober Castilian and Medieval style.

At midnight on Holy Tuesday, the Passion takes it course to the Northwest where fervor increases with the earthquake sound of La Noche de los Tambores of Mula (The Night of the Drums). That night, hundreds of people break the silence with thunder percussions during the whole night until 4p.m. the following day.

Once the Passion week is finished, Spring Festival starts in Murcia with fiestas such as el Bando de La Huerta, where hundreds of thousands of people take to the streets dressed in typical huertano costume.

In El Entierro de la Sardina day, fantasy and amusement come to life in a magic night where the victory of 'don Carnal' (Sir Carnival) over 'doña Cuaresma' (Lady Lent) is represented. A crazy parade with floats dedicated to the gods of the Olympus, from which presents are thrown, marks the end of these spring festivities.

In the holy town of Caravaca, the Festivities of the True Holy Cross are held. The Moros y Cristianos parades (Moors and Christians) and Los Caballos del Vino (literally, the Wine Horses) are the main events of this festivity. A great epic show takes place, where the strength and the courage of those who saved the town from the Muslim siege are remembered.

During the second fortnight of September, the festivities of Cartagineses y Romanos (Carthaginians and Romans) are celebrated in Cartagena. That is when the deeds of the old heroes from the Classical period are commemorated. During ten days, history comes to life. The wedding between Hannibal and Himilce, the disembarkations, the Great Roman Circus or the Great Last Parade on the last Saturday are some of the most important acts.

In December, the powder smell of the harquebuses will fill the senses of everyone in the Fiestas Patronales en Honor a la Purísima Concepción de Yecla (Festivities in Honour of the Most Pure Conception of Yecla) where every man in the village shows gratitude to the Patron Saint thanks to whom their ancestors survived the Catalonian War.

Referring to festivals, in Murcia there is a huge diversity of offers along the Region, all conceived to promote and stimulate cultural activity in all its fields. That way, the range of possibilities covers not only the most 'indies' and 'young' initiatives, such as the SOS 4.8 festival or La Mar de Músicas but also more consolidated events, such as concerts of Jazz or the Theatre, Music and Dance festival of San Javier. But if there is a festival which worth the recognition and the admiration of the public and international critics since its foundation in 1961, no doubt it is the Cante de las Minas festival, in the town of La Unión. Every August, the most relevant flamenco figures go on stage where flamenco singing and dancing, as well as concert and competition days, are combined. This contest quality and trajectory make it one of the most important flamenco contests in the world.