Alcoy’s Modernist Fair will feature a parade that recreates the city’s festival spirit from over a century ago, paying tribute to composer Gonzalo Barrachina and marking the 750th anniversary of San Jorge’s patronage.
This year, Alcoy’s city center will host a parade that doesn’t just celebrate tradition—it rebuilds it from the ground up. As part of the Modernist Fair, the Asociación de San Jorge is organizing a procession dedicated to Gonzalo Barrachina, the composer whose music shaped local festivities in the early 1900s. The event is set for Sunday, 27 September at noon, starting at the Font Redona and ending at the Església de Sant Jordi.
The organizers have focused on historical accuracy. Twenty-eight filaes will wear costumes based on styles from 1915 to 1919, the years when the Himno de Fiestas became official. Carla Julià, artistic advisor for the Asociación de San Jorge, described the months spent researching and restoring garments. Both Christian and Moorish groups will appear as they did a century ago, with the Christian side showing the biggest changes—today’s Almogàvers, Tomasines, Creuats, and Aragonesos will march as Astures, Escuadrón de San Jorge, Visigodos, and Salomonistes. Details like period beards, mustaches, and hairstyles will help set the scene.
Gonzalo Barrachina was born in 1869, studied music in Madrid, and later returned to Alcoy, where he composed symphonic works, the pasodoble 'Ecos de Levante,' and the official festival hymn.
Music is at the heart of the event. The Primitiva and Nova bands will play Barrachina’s works, including 'Ecos del Levante' and pieces from the zarzuela 'Goya.' The parade will also introduce the new Christian sergeant. Paco García, president of the Asociación de San Jorge, noted that this year’s participation is especially meaningful as Alcoy marks 750 years since San Jorge became the city’s patron. Radio Alcoy reports that the Association has arranged an audience with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on 3 February 2027 to commemorate the anniversary.
City officials see the parade as more than a cultural event. Lorena Zamorano, Alcoy’s tourism councillor, said that working with local associations not only adds to the fair’s program but also supports local shops and hospitality businesses. The event is expected to draw both residents and visitors, bringing energy to the city’s streets and reinforcing Alcoy’s sense of community.
The commemorative program for Barrachina extends beyond the parade and includes educational content. Radio Alcoy reports that a dedicated conference will bring together researchers and musicians to explore Barrachina’s life and legacy, reflecting a broader cultural context for the fair beyond just the costumed procession.
Alcoy’s approach to heritage stands out at a time when cultural events elsewhere in Spain have faced controversy. For example, a recent art exhibition in Valladolid was cancelled over political references, as previously reported. In contrast, Alcoy’s Modernist Fair uses history as a way to bring people together.
The Gloria Modernista parade is more than a look back—it’s an effort to reclaim and reinterpret Alcoy’s festival traditions for today. By grounding the event in careful historical research and music, organizers show how cities can use their past to shape their present. This year’s tribute to Gonzalo Barrachina and the 750th anniversary of San Jorge’s patronage is a clear statement of local identity, keeping tradition alive in the streets.
