Festivities

SAN LUIS

The patron saint festivities of San Luis

The popular festivals, dedicated in honor of Saint Louis IX, King of France, constitute the maximum expression of popular sentiment. They are celebrated on August 25, although if this date falls on a working day, they are moved to the following weekend. For some years now, the festive program has covered the weeks before and after the holiday, with the celebration of numerous sporting and cultural events. The origin of the festival is religious and dates back to the founding of the Church, when the members of the "obrería or caixers", so named for being responsible for the administration of the money to pay for the construction and maintenance of the temple, organized the protocol and popular events of the titular saint's festival, which, starting in 1825, would also be the town's festival by popular vote. The most relevant festive events are those starring the horse and the rider (caixer). The "qualcada" or procession of "caixers" and horses takes place on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. It travels through the streets of the town before attending religious events, the "Completes", and the "caixers" Mass. It is formed by the "caixer batle", representing civil power, the "capellana", who represents the ecclesiastical estate, and the other "caixers". The figure of the "fabioler" is noteworthy, a person who, on the back of a donkey, clears the way for the procession while playing the "fabiol" (flute) and the drum. After the religious events, the spectacular "caragol" takes place, also known as the "jaleo", where the properly decorated horses jump to the rhythm of the music among the people. Since 1992, a Board of "Caixers" has enforced compliance with the different protocols that regulate the celebration of these acts, and in particular the peculiar style of the "caixers" dress, the composition and route of the "qualcada" (cavalcade), attendance at religious events, etc. The official start of the festivities takes place on the Friday before with the reading of the proclamation. Throughout the weekend, different events take place, among which dances, parades of floats, and the launching of fireworks also stand out due to the massive public attendance.