The Moors and Christians Entrances in Ontinyent were held this Friday with complete normality, gathering thousands of people in a parade that combined history, music, and spectacle.
Ontinyent experienced this Friday the most anticipated day of its Moors and Christians Festivities with the celebration of the Entrances. After the previous day's suspension of the Bands Entrance due to rain, the good weather and milder temperatures allowed thousands of participants and spectators to enjoy the event.
From 18:00 hours with the start of the Christian Entrance until after 3:00 in the morning with the conclusion of the Moorish Entrance, the avenues Almaig and Daniel Gil became a grand stage. Participants included members from the 24 groups, musicians, ballets, performers, and technical teams.
The mayor of Ontinyent, Jorge Rodríguez, actively participated by joining the squad of the 50th anniversary of the Taifes group in the Moorish side. Meanwhile, the first vice president of the Valencia Provincial Council and first deputy mayor, Natàlia Enguix, paraded for the first time with the Bucaneros group in the Christian side. The event was broadcast live by À Punt and can be viewed on their YouTube channel.
The Christian Entrance was marked by two proposals with historical and cultural significance. The group Estudiants, responsible for the Christian Captaincy led by Ricardo Enguix, turned the classic Valencian work Tirant lo Blanc into the thread of their parade. Through several scenic chapters, the procession explored the values of the work by Joanot Martorell, from its cultural significance to the transformation of the chivalric ideal.
The Christian parade was concluded by the group Almogàvers, responsible for the Christian Embassy with José Luis Gandia as ambassador and Gonzalo Martí as banner bearer. Their display transported the audience to the origins of these frontier warriors, with their birth in the Pyrenees and their participation in the conquest of the Kingdom of Valencia.
As night fell, the Moorish Captaincy of the Moorish Mariners, with Juan Luis Galiana as captain, took the figure of the sultan Mehmed II and the conquest of Constantinople as a starting point. The setup recreated the landing of the Ottoman troops, the siege, and the conquest of the city, combining history, military recreation, animals, and grand floats.
Finally, the group Moros Espanyols closed the entrance with a Moorish Embassy featuring Sergi Garcia as ambassador and David Mateu as banner bearer. Their display transported the audience to the year 1086, evoking the unity of the kingdoms of Al-Ándalus against the Christian threat and the battle of Sagrajas, with an extensive display of ballets, music, and cavalry.
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