Alicante 'invades' Madrid

These Costa ladies were part of the Moors and Christians parade that invaded Madrid's Calle Preciados on the way to the famous Puerta de Sol Square on Saturday.

The display was part of the Costa Blanca promotion at Fitur tourism fair.

MORE than 1,500 people took part in Alicante province’s ‘great parade’ through the streets of Madrid on Saturday.

The event, which forms part of the Fitur tourism fair, is now held each year in the capital.

It is designed to showcase the fiestas which are held in many of the province’s town throughout the year.

Troupes from the Moors and Christians and Carnival associations, Easter brotherhoods, and many other fiesta groups took part in the display.

Provincial president César Sánchez noted that the parade showed the ‘uniqueness, beauty and traditions’ of some of the most popular fiestas held around Alicante.

He explained that around 40 associ- ations from 30 different municipalities had taken part in the display through the centre of the capital, which ended at the emblematic Puerta del Sol.

“All the people who were in the centre of Madrid today will have seen some of the best that Alicante has to offer,” he said on Saturday evening.

“With the music and dancing, it was a great occasion.”

Associations from Alicante, Torrevieja, Benidorm, Jávea, Sant Vicent del Raspeig, San Juan, Elda, Dénia, Elche, Pinoso, Crevillente, Castalla, El Campello, El Verger, Calpe, Altea, Teulada-Moraira and many other towns were represented.