Next Sunday October 11The streets of Dénia will experience an unprecedented day in the municipality. The association Dianium Dansa He has launched an ambitious project that seeks to bring together in a single event two traditions that rarely intersect: the dance of the giants and the pyrotechnic spectacle of the fire-breathing beasts. The result will be the 1st Aplec of Gegants and Bèsties de Foc de Dénia, an event designed to fill the city center with the most spectacular tradition.
The program will begin in the morning. 11:00h An exhibition of all the figures will be inaugurated in Glorieta of the Valencian Country, allowing locals and curious visitors from outside to closely observe the details of woodfabric and structure of each group before they set off. Shortly afterwards, at 11:30hSeveral workshops aimed at families will be held. The main event will take place in the afternoon, at 19:00h, when the grand parade will begin along Carrer Marqués de Campo towards Plaça del Consell.
A display of figures from all over the Valencian Community and Catalonia
The event is notable for the variety and origins of its participants. In the section on giant sculptures, the public will be able to see the... Giants of Monòver, Giants of Oliva, Giants of Borriana and the hosts of Dénia, surrounded at all times by the The music of tabals and dolçaines.
For its part, the section on the beasts of fire It promises to transform Plaça del Consell into a real correfoc (fire run). For this first edition, the presence of formidable beasts such as the Botafocs of Castelló, Drac d'Alboraia, Run, you devils of Terrateig, Mont Grafus of Tortosa, Dragon of Reus, Drac de Sagunt and the Warrior of Moixent de Campanar.
After traveling down the main street, the procession will arrive at the foot of the castleThere, the entrance will not be silent: each group will present itself individually before giving way to a joint dance by all the giants. Once the danceThe scene will change completely when the giants retreat to give way to the assembled fire-breathing beasts.
Dianium Dansa's commitment to preserving popular heritage
Behind the idea and the impetus for this meeting are the secretary of the organization, Celia Roselló, along with its president, Manolo Mahiques.For the group, preserving local folklore requires constant work in rehearsal, costumes, and generational renewal. This effort gains meaning when the community embraces these traditions in the streets.
A prime example is the Dianium Dansa dragon itself. Commissioned by the city council in 2012 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the city's founding, as a replica of a figure documented in the 17th century, the piece has become fully integrated into the local festive tradition thanks to those who carry it within the community.
