The Fiestas de la Font Santa de Teulada-Moraira: history, acts and images

The Font Santa festivities are the popular festivities of the area that receives the same name in the municipality of Teulada-Moraira. They are celebrated in the surroundings of the Ermita de la Font Santa from the Friday before the first Sunday in July and continue until the middle of the following week.

Mass in honor of Sant Vicent Ferrer at the Festivities of the Font Santa de Teulada-Moraira 2018

History

The Font Santa festivities began thanks to the encouragement and willingness of the residents of the area to have their own festivities. According to the culture technician from Teulada-Moraira, Jaume Buigues, two traditional agricultural jobs are held between seasons in this area of ​​the Marina Alta. Thus, they take place between the end of the blat baton (wheat shaking) and the beginning of the grape season muscattell.

Revitalization of the hermitage in the XNUMXth century

The Hermitage of the Font Santa dates from the XNUMXth century and is well known in the town for being one of the pilgrimage locations of Sant Vicent Ferrer, patron saint of the municipality. After a time of abandonment and decline of the small temple, in the XNUMXth century, devotion to the place resurfaced in the area of ​​Font Santa. For this reason, the residents of Teulada close to it dedicated time and effort to revitalize it again.

Cover of the Font Santa festivities book from 1984

In the same way, as a way of honoring both the site and the traditions of the municipality, the residents promoted the Font Santa festivities. Buigues affirms that they were also celebrated as raïmers festival, in honor of the men who worked in the vineyards of the municipality.

Fifths of the Font Santa

As of the year 1970, approximately, the young people of Teulada of the age to enter the military service began to promote the festivities together with the people of the party. As a farewell and to celebrate his departure, the local 18-year-old men began to be the protagonists of the festivities. These would be the famous Quintos de la Font Santa, important figures for the celebration and that last until today.

Fifths of the Font Santa from 1974

When is celebrated

The Fiestas de la Font Santa are celebrated at the beginning of July. On the main day, when the mass is held in honor of Sant Vicent Ferrer, it is held every first sunday of july. Two days before, on Friday, the festivities begin to finish it the following Wednesday.

Featured Acts

The Font Santa festival program varies each year in terms of shows, open-air festivals or hiring. However, it always maintains a series of traditional acts and days that cannot be missed each year. In addition, the festivities are also characterized by the exhibition of bulls during the last three days.

You can consult the program of the Fiestas de la Font Santa 2022 here.

Paella contest and popular dinner

The Saturday before the big day of the festivities, the neighbors gather in the vicinity of the hermitage to carry out a paellas contest. The ingredients are distributed courtesy of an establishment in the area. Once the lunch hour has elapsed, prizes are awarded to the best elaborations of the popular Valencian food.

Friends preparing the paella for the 2022 Font Santa Festival contest

At night, every year without fail, a popular dinner "sobaquillo" In it, attendees bring food and gather with friends and family to enjoy the evening. Later, after dinner, an orchestra entertains the party night until dawn.

Mass and presentation of the following Quintos

Sunday is the main day of the festivities. In mid-afternoon, the participants of the festivities located in front of the hermitage witness a mass celebrated in honor of Sant Vicent Ferrer. Also typical of this moment is the subsequent show by the Font Santa Dance group.

Grup de Dances de la Font Santa in the exhibition of the 2022 festivities

After that, the Fifth of the year accompany those of the following vintage to the stage to present them to the public. Since the party revolves around them, the young people spend the weekend celebrating the festivities.

Quinto de la Font Santa 2022 accompanying two of the following vintage during the festivities

The same Sunday, the Quintos de la Font Santa spend a series of hazing to their successors, who arrive on stage after having performed this peculiar ritual of relief. To end the day, the young people hand out artisan cocas to those attending the event.

Distribution of cokes at the Font Santa festivities in 2017

Images