The General Assembly of the Federation of Moors and Christians of Dénia approved this Wednesday, October 4, the incorporation of two new rows to the celebration of the festival. Both will be made up of women and will be known by the name taifas (blackberry) and Smugglers (Christian).
With these additions, women will have a greater participation and presence in the festivities, which will contribute to the diversity and cultural richness of the celebrations, in addition to having a more active role in the organization and development of the events.
The two new groups meet all the requirements demanded in the statutes of the Moors and Christians of Dénia festivals, such as being a group of more than 20 people not from any other active filà, having a name related to the history of Dénia, and propose clothing and banners with their own insignia to participate in the Moors and Christians festival of Dénia, among other requirements.
Thus, with the incorporation of the Taifas and Contrabandistas, the Femmicc Dénia will go from having 16 ranks to 18, and will increase the group to around 800 festeros. The additions will contribute to increasing the positive impact of these festivals classified as being of Regional Tourist Interest.
Why Taifas and Smugglers?
The taifas They pay tribute to the rich heritage left by the ancient Taifa of Dénia, which was a beacon of tolerance and diversity, where the coexistence of Moors, Christians and Jews enriched the culture and heritage of the region.
Meanwhile, the Smugglers They pay tribute to Barbudo, the smuggler from Crevillent who plundered nobles and Frenchmen and distributed his wealth among the inhabitants of the region, following him as smugglers, bandits, loyalists, guerrillas and loyalists.
President Sonia Pérez directed the General Assembly held at the House of Culture in which they had the presence of the councilor of Parties Dénia, Raúl David García de la Reina Martínez.
Among other matters, new statutes were approved that improve the previous ones, and a period of 15 days was opened for a candidacy for the presidency of Femmicc to be presented. If no candidate is presented, Sonia Pérez, she expressed her intention to continue in office for two more years with a broader board willing to work tirelessly to move the party forward.
Filà Taifas
Many centuries ago, in the lands of Dénia, a Taifa flourished that marked an extraordinary chapter in the history of Al-Andalus. The Taifa of Dénia, founded in the year 1010 by Mujahid, was one of the kingdoms that were formed after the division of the Caliphate of Córdoba, and whose capital was our beloved Dénia. This Taifa stood out for its splendor, cultural richness and peaceful coexistence.
Our objective with choosing the name Taifas is to pay tribute to the rich heritage that those times left in our city and to those people who shaped our history throughout the centuries.
The name Taifas represents the very essence of Dénia, where different cultures and religions have coexisted in harmony for centuries. The old Taifa of Dénia was a beacon of tolerance and diversity, where the coexistence of Moors, Christians and Jews enriched the culture and heritage of the region.
With the choice of this name, from our future row, we want to represent unity in diversity, we want to pay tribute to the rich history of Dénia, and to all those people, highlighting the women of the time, who played a fundamental role in its evolution, keeping alive the flame of respect, tolerance and diversity that characterized the old taifa of Dénia.
Thus, Taifas aims to be a symbol of respect for history, cultural wealth, and a beacon of unity and brotherhood in the Moors and Christians festivals in Dénia, remembering that, ultimately, we are all part of a shared history.
Filà Contrabandistes
This is the story based on real events of smuggling in Alicante according to the legend of Jaime the Bearded.
A Bandit, smuggler, guerrilla and Levantine knight. El Barbudo was born in Crevillente. Among vineyards he grew, worked and killed for them. A dagger and a blunderbuss are his new implements.
He looted the rich, he subdued the French, he respected the Government and he protected the people.
By chance or misfortune, justice caught him, he was hanged and dismembered, his legend ended.
As an inheritance he left a fierce band of bandits and from them we smugglers were born; that we follow their exploits through fields and towns.
Like him, we distribute the riches and we give you the gifts.
Smugglers, bandits, loyalists, guerrillas and cabals.
Jaime El Barbudo: we come from his roots and here we honor him.
