In the 8th to the 15th century there were many battles fought between the moors and Christians in the battle for Spain. Many cities and pueblos here in Spain celebrate the fact that the Christians kicked the Moors out of Spain. The most famous of these battles takes place in Alcoy which is a little over an hour drive from us.
This festival always takes place around the 22-24th of April. The moors overtook the city of Alcoy for a short time. Supposedly, with the help of Saint George (that's st. Jordi in spanish) who miraculously appeared, the Christians were able to defeat the Moors.
Every year there are parades, battle reenactments, and of course fireworks. We decided to see what it was all about. Thursday and Friday were the parades and this morning began the reenactment of the battle. We got there early as men were parading the streets with their muskets waking up the city. At 10 the ambassador for the moors arrived at the scene with the letter stating the intentions of overtaking the city. Of course the govenor of the city tears the letter and the man rides of crying war. Next come the leaders of the moors to discuss with the Christians to leave the city and of course they refuse. At 11 the Christians begin parading their army in the streets firing their muskets as they go. At this point we could no longer stand the deafening gunshot fire and quickly tried to find an exit plan to get out of the city before losing anymore hearing.
Apparently, after the Christians parade the city with their muskets it then becomes the moors turn to parade. Then we finally get to a battle sometime around mid-day and then everything has to be reversed culminating in a battle where the Christians come out victorious sometime tonight before midnight when the fireworks begin.
These people are crazy. I really don't know how their ears can handle it.
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