ARCHIVED - Elche firework fiesta declared a Festival of National Tourist Interest
ARCHIVED ARTICLE
The historic Nit de l'Albà has been celebrated in the Baix Vinalopo town, Alicante province, since the Middle Ages
Steeped in history and tradition, Elche's firework fiesta, Nit de l'Albà, has been declared a Festival of National Tourist Interest by Spain's Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism.
"This amazing fireworks display in which the whole municipality participates has its origins in the Middle Ages, when the people of Elche used to fire rockets in honour of the Virgin of the Assumption, patron saint of their town. For its antiquity, its originality, and its roots in Elche, the Nit de l'Albà deserves to be distinguished as being of National Tourist Interest," said Fernando Valdés, the Secretary of State for Tourism.
The night of August 13 is one of the biggest dates in Elche's calendar, when the Misteri d'Elx, a sacred-lyrical drama of medieval origin and declared a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by Unesco, is performed.
In just 45 minutes during Nit d'Albà, more than 300 spectacular fireworks are set off from different points across the town, sponsored by individuals, companies, businesses, organisations and associations, in collaboration with the town council.
The incredible display ends with the firing of la Palmera de la Virgen (the palm tree of the virgin), which reaches a height of 300 metres and 700 metres in diameter, and can be seen from neighbouring towns such as Santa Pola, Crevillente and Alicante.
When the palm tree is extinguished, a metal structure just over three metres high is lit with flares in the basilica's bell tower, forming the silhouette of the patron saint moments before residents begin to sing in unison the popular Cuban-derived habanera 'Aromas ilicitanos' (the people of Elche's song) from terraces, balconies and windows.
To refresh and cool down after all the excitement, heat and gunpowder, it is customary to eat watermelon after the festivities.
"The Nit de l'Albà is a unique firework display not only because of the intensity of the gunpowder used, but also because of the involvement of thousands of people from Elche who make this celebration a link of union and a symbol of the cultural identity of the people of the town," added the local council.
The declaration has met with "great joy" by the Association of Friends of the Nit de l'Albà, with its president, Antonio Sánchez, pointing out that a Facebook page 'Queremos que la Nit de l’Albà sea Fiesta de Interés Turístico Internacional' was set up in 2010 calling for the event to be officially recognised.
Elche Council took up the proposal and having now gained national declaration, along with at regional level in 2014, plans to achieve international distinction in the next few years.
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