Miguel Martínez Sempere
As the author himself explains in the letter of invitation for the presentation of the book:
"a book that brings together all the elements of our festival of Moors and Christians, in which from the faith in Sant Jordi that in Banyeres dates from 1249, analyzing the importance of certain testimonies, how are the reception of the Relic of Sant Jordi in 1780, the canonical proclamation of its patronage or the writing of Cavanilles that describes the festivities of 1792; the analysis of each of our festive acts, why we celebrate them and their historical meaning; the history of both the Sant Jordi Brotherhood and the Sant Jordi Festivities Committee; the foundation and history of each of the ten troupes (without going into details that are already contained in the books of each of them); the relationship of all the mayors throughout history; of all the preachers; of the maintainers or criers of festivals; of all the ambassadors; of the festival mayors; of all those people who have held positions both in the Confraternity of Sant Jordi and in the Festivities Committee, etc; The history of the two music bands, from the Mariola Choir, from the El Bracal sweets group,…, also making it known in facsimile and computer transcripts, an embassy of 1850 and another from 1869, unpublished at the moment, parliaments that preceded the current ones of the Poet Pastor, ending with the relationship of 150 towns in Spain that celebrate Moors and Christians, with pattern details if they have it, of the dates on which they take place and many other things.”
And that strengthens us in the justification of the work, written by himself and appearing after the prologue, in the leaves 13 Y 14:
“This study that tries to capture the faith in Saint George and the celebration of the Moors and Christians in Banyeres de Mariola, It aims to be a consultation document that brings together everything related to our festivities and at the same time clarifies any doubts that may arise., although always with the author's limitation when verifying and transcribing the data, remaining open to any observations and additions that may enrich it..
The interpretation, writing and transmission of reports are used by the author personally after numerous consultations and research work, with the conviction of believing that they are true, although always susceptible to change, clarifications and rectifications that may arise, if possible omissions or extensions are documented, the story is never finished writing.
The events, the facts and experiences, They have been arranged chronologically, their repetitions in some cases with different nuances appear for a clearer follow-up of our history and, although most of the quotes have already been published in other publications, They have been compiled trying to unite them so that they can all be accessed within the same text..
It's not my book, It is the book of all those who lived and those of us who are living the party: the festive ones, the musicians and the public. It is about, in short, of the experiences of a people who have placed faith in Saint George for more than seven centuries and maintain it today, wanting to be the executing arm that has compiled those pieces of history, trying to string them together and unite them. They say that stories are told by the elderly using everything they have heard, read and lived but the true protagonists, those who truly deserve esteem and tribute, They are those who, with their small or large contributions, all of them valuable, They have managed to keep alive a project that was genuine in the hearts of our ancestors.
Definitely, This work has been conceived with the aim of serving as a general chronicle of the important value that the cult of Saint George derived from our Moors and Christians festivals has always had for Banyeres and its people.”
Factsheet:
Printed in Spain / Printed in Spain
first edition: 23 April 2014.
I.S.B.N.: 978-84-616-9027-5
Legal Deposit: A 152-2014
© of the text and this edition:
Miguel Martínez Sempere
The Cross, 33 – 2º
03450-Banyeres de Mariola, Alicante.
© of the prologue:
Mara Calabuig.
© of the photographs:
Its authors and owners.
Cover design and realization:
Javier Mira, Tel. 966 567 408
