Luis Alemany (Coadjutor)
It is a bit difficult to talk about something that has not yet been fully experienced.. But one finds out, they tell him things, read stories and past events interspersed with legend, which also counts when writing history. Leaving, well, of these brief premises, I dare to write these lines. First, all the best, a response and a manifestation of my sincere gratitude to those who have directly invited me to participate in the “Party Program”, but also to all the people of Bañera, since I can assure you that I have felt, from the first day, object of a kind and friendly welcome. I can assure you that soon, coming soon, I will start to feel more like a bather. Even, May some of Bocairente forgive me, whom I appreciate as true friends., I have already enjoyed some moments in those long quasi-discussions in which history comes to light, the legend and the anecdotes that in times past perhaps separated and created discord, but today they should and must unite people among themselves by having a history, some deeds and a common destiny.
From Bocairente I can say that I fully enjoyed living the festival of the “Entry of Moors and Christians”.
this party, that does not separate us but unites us with Beky-Rentinos and Bañereses, We are going to celebrate it very soon here in Bañeres.
In general we can affirm that each town has its own way of being, to live their parties, its originalities; in one word, his idiosyncrasy, that characterizes you and distinguishes you from others. And so, without stating that it is better or worse, Yes, we can make the famous slogan “BATHS IS DIFFERENT” our own.. and a server, convinced of it, hope to really live it.
In my short time as curate of this population I have stored many interesting impressions., What do I dare to express in these lines?, although I'm afraid that, in general, They sound new to no one; but, a fine, good things never get old (like the Lord's Prayer).
My first great impression upon arriving for the first time in Bañeres, Saint Lucia's Day, was the impressive discovery of the majestic Keep of the historic castle. Solid and pointing towards the sky as a testimony to all the people of Bañera of the glories of their past and also as a cry and a call for the present and the future.: “ALWAYS UP, BAÑERENS”.
That majestic tower rebuilt by the effort and enthusiasm of the people of Bañeres and also by those no less lovers of the glories of Bañeres, that without being natives we can affirm that they truly love Bañeres and well deserve the title of adopted children, I confess that I was inspired by one of the first homilies in which I had to address my poor word to you, encouraging them to, using similarity, each one of us would make an individual effort, and all united in community to reconstruct at the same time that Christ who presides, which is in the heart of Bañeres and each of the people of Bañeres, but maybe we have it a little destroyed, too careless, how we had the castle tower.
Another confession I make to you is that another day I went up to the Hermitage of Christ, white and slender, from where I enjoyed, I really enjoyed, contemplating the wide and beautiful valley at the foot of Mariola. That is why in another homily I spoke to them asking how it was possible that there were men who did not believe in God., as, in my opinion, It was enough to go up to the Hermitage of Cristo de Bañeres, open your eyes wide open and exclaim: "Believe, Sir, because the work of your hands is wonderful!”.
Another thing that continues to impress me when for some reason I walk the streets of Bañeres is listening to the uninterrupted coming and going of its countless looms.. One says to oneself: "Actually, This town and these people are very hardworking., has a high industrial level, so, “It is launched into the future.”
For all this I hope not to feel strange when the town festivals arrive.. I already sense the great explosion of an entire people united to live and honor their Patron Saint, Saint George., its great tradition, its noble history, facts these that, from what I have been able to observe, runs through the veins of all the people of Bañera, from almost centenarians to those who still look, the pacifier. I would say that it is something that is inherited in the womb and that is carried beyond the grave.. And as the end of these lines and proof of what I just said, I tell you that something made me, as it is commonly said, “goosebumps” and even the great emotion caused my eyes to be surrounded by water on two occasions: First: When I read in a magazine how the people of Bañera celebrate the festival. There, before those who were, those who preceded them, but they still count at the party. I would say that in some way they are still really present. This is how the son feels, the brother, the grandson, when would it be, firm, I would say religiously, he shoots the harquebus before his familiar.
Second: This same emotion caused me when a good local from Bañer told me in detail about this great day., original and unique, festive and religious, a great act of faith in their dead. An act of faith that the dead still count, because they wait, together with all the people of Bañera, on the great DAY of RESURRECTION, when, all gathered, we will celebrate the big party, the Eternal Party around the ROCK, of the real CASTLE, of the TOWER completely rebuilt and new, who never ages and who is the RISEN CHRIST.
Bañerenses!, your Coadjutor and friend greets you all and wishes you to truly enjoy, that you forget at least for a few days about your looms, May you be happy this holiday season to your Patron Saint George. May your faith and your joy be truly renewed and may they be that tower and that center that unites you., May it unite us all through the new year that we will begin on Holiday Monday..
And now I also hope to enjoy your holidays, that I consider mine, I join all the people of Bañera to launch into the air the exciting cry of VITOL AL PATRO SANT JORDI!!
