Castelló has celebrated the Day of the Valencian Community on 9 October with a vibrant programme that included music, history, and folklore. Key highlights of the festivities were a tribute to Jaume I, the Parade of Three Cultures, a concert by the Municipal Band, and an homage to the local cultural group Els Dansants de Castelló.
The mayor of Castelló, Begoña Carrasco, remarked, "Today, 9 October, we pay tribute to our roots, honour our history and traditions, as they define and unite us. This year also marks the 750th anniversary of the death of King Jaume I, our conquering king. Additionally, our city, Castelló de la Plana, is celebrating 775 years since the Privilegio de Traslado, a crucial manuscript for the formation of our city."
In the Plaza Mayor, alongside Mayor Carrasco, were the Consell delegate, Susana Fabregat, the president of the Provincial Court, Sofía Díaz, the subdelegate of Defence, Moisés Izquierdo de la Guerra, and the festival queens of Castelló, María Collados and Nayra Luque, accompanied by the city’s ladies. Also present were municipal corporation members, regional and provincial deputies, as well as civil and military representatives.
Tribute to Jaume I and the Parade of Three Cultures
The day began at 11:30 with a tribute to Jaume I beside his statue on Avenida del Rey En Jaume. From there, the Parade of Three Cultures set off towards the Plaza Mayor, featuring participants from Moros d’Alqueria, Dolçainers and Tabaleters of Castelló, L’Aljama, and the Knights of the Conquest. This parade showcased entities representing the Muslim, Jewish, and Christian heritages, reflecting the historical diversity celebrated on 9 October.
The entry of the Three Cultures into the Plaza Mayor occurred at 12:30 and was integrated into the Municipal Band's concert, which accompanied the parade with pieces including the Hymn to L’Aljama by Juanjo Carratalà, the Moorish march El President by Miguel Picó Biosca, and the Crida and march of the Knights of the Conquest by Miguel Ángel Mulet.
The Municipal Band takes centre stage
The concert commenced at 12:00 in the Plaza Mayor, attracting hundreds of attendees eager to partake in the celebrations. The programme featured the pasodoble Las Provincias by the Terol brothers, Impresiones festivas by Bernardo Adam Ferrero, and Aires Llevantins by Bernabé Sanchís Porta, alongside compositions that complemented the parade and traditional dances. The Municipal Band played a central role throughout the celebration, linking various moments of the event with their music and accompanying both the entry of the Three Cultures and the display of popular culture.
Mayor Carrasco highlighted, "Once again, the fireworks, the music of the dulzaina and tabal, and our magnificent Municipal Band of Castelló are the stars of this celebration, alongside the Parade of Three Cultures. Today is a day of celebration and shared pride."
Honouring Els Dansants de Castelló
This year, the homage to popular culture was dedicated to Els Dansants de Castelló for their contributions to preserving and promoting the city’s folklore and traditions. The association showcased traditional dances featuring arets, nanos, caballets, and giants in the Plaza Mayor, accompanied by the Municipal Band's music. The mayor emphasised the commitment of Els Dansants de Castelló to keep these dances alive and pass them on to future generations, ensuring that this heritage remains present in the city’s celebrations.
The final segment of the event included performances of the March of the City by Matilde Salvador, the Hymn of the Valencian Community, and the National Anthem of Spain. The celebration concluded with a spectacular fireworks display and the ringing of bells.
