Javea offers a wide range of celebrations, rooted in the
maritime and obviously Mediterranean traditions of its people,
the chief protagonist in whatever festivals take place throughout
the festive calendar with one common denominator the participation
of the people.
Javea misses no opportunity to display the open and extrovert
character of its people. If the carnival and the Enfariná
anticipate the March celebrations, the summer is announced
by the Fogueres de Sant Joan, a festivity rooted in the
Mediterranean like no other, which in Javea still retains
its magic and ancestral meaning. Fire takes on great importance
in the middle of June, as in other towns along the Costa
Blanca.
Papier-maché monuments, sometimes alluding to current
affairs, decorate the streets of the town, are small bonfires
over which young people jump, one by one, attired with garlands
and flowers, which are burned when the last fire has been
vaulted. Finally on the 24th of June, the feast of Sant
Joan, all the monuments are burnt, putting an end to the
festivities.
The largest religious festivals are celebrated in honour
of the Nazarene at the end of April. The Calvari Hermitage
becomes one of the main scenes of the celebration. From
there, the statue of jesus of Nazaret is taken in procession
to the San Bartolomé Church, one of the Mediterranean´s
most beautiful places of worship, situated in the old town.
This takes place on the Third Sunday of Lent in a display
of popular faith. On the 3rd of May, the statue is taken
back to the Calvari Hermitage.
Within the framework of its festivities appear the famous
els bous a remarkable celebration based on young people
running with young bulls. In addition, fireworks light up
the sky. Coinciding with these celebrations is the Creus
de maig competition, in which neighbours of Javea compete
in the making of bright and colourful crosses. Religion,
pagan traditions, the Mediterranean and History. The town
of Javea has also taken on a typical celebration of the
Alicante area: Moors and Christians, which is celebrated
in the port between the supporters of the Cross and the
Crescent Moon.
The festivities cycle ends its main celebrations in the
first week of September, with the festivity in honour of
the Mare de Déu de Loreto, which takes place in the
Parish Church of Aduanas del Mar, a most remarkable church
situated near to the Fishing Port. Then els bous appear
once more in the locality, although this time the celebration
takes on a new meaning as it takes place in the fishing
port itself. This is the popular bous a la mar. The Mare
de Déu del Carme, on the 16th of July ; the Mare
de Deu dels angels at the beginning of August and Santa
Llucía on the 13th of December are other celebrations
of a clearly religious nature which make up the traditional
festive calendar of Javea.
