Moors and Christians

The Society of Festers of the Santíssim Crist de l'Agonia has signed an agreement with the Òpera Ballet and Masters Ballet academies to establish a model of alternation in the artistic and choreographic direction of the Proclamation and Presentation of Charges of the Moors and Christians Festivals of Ontinyent.
The agreement, signed by the representatives of the three entities, was born with the desire to guarantee the continuity, quality and projection of dance within one of the most representative events of the Ontinyent festivities.
The first edition to be held under this model will be in 2026, in which Masters Ballet will assume the coordination of the show, while Òpera Ballet will take over in 2027. From then on, the two academies will alternate annually in this responsibility.
This agreement is also the result of the reflections shared during the preparation of the 2025 Pregó, led by the Ontinyent choreographer Marcos Morau, who encouraged the Societat de Festers to promote an understanding between the city's dance schools to ensure the participation and prominence of local talent in the future.
The Societat de Festers emphasizes that this agreement reinforces the commitment to a zero-kilometer festival, based on the talent, creativity and cultural resources of the city. Ontinyent is today a reference in the world of festivals thanks, among other factors, to the excellence of its dance academies, which have projected the name of the city and its ballets on stages around the world.
In this sense, the Societat de Festers considers it essential to guarantee the continuity and projection of these two cultural entities, recognizing their contribution to the festive and artistic heritage of Ontinyent. Likewise, the importance of the comparsas continuing to bet on local talent in their projects is highlighted, thus contributing to consolidating a festive model that generates identity, artistic quality and opportunities for professionals in the city.
The Festers Society particularly values the willingness and spirit of collaboration shown by Òpera Ballet and Masters Ballet, highlighting that this agreement strengthens the ties between the festival and the Ontinyent cultural fabric, while opening a new stage of cooperation at the service of tradition, innovation and artistic excellence.