The Society of Festers and the company Tecnocrisa have expanded their collaboration agreement to promote the Special Squads competition for the Moors and Christians Festivals.

From now on, the main award will be called the "Pintor Carlets" Award for the best special costume and will be endowed with 1,000 euros for each side, both Christian and Moorish, replacing the old smaller prizes and thus reinforcing the recognition of the quality and effort of the squads.

All special squads presented by the comparsas on the sides of the cross and the crescent will be able to participate in the competition, except for the four comparsas of charge —Capitanies and Embassies—, which will be out of competition.

In addition, the jury will especially focus on original costumes, with a curated look put into the scene by the entire squad. Aspects such as originality and elegance will be valued, elements that contribute to enriching the show and the artistic character of the Entrada.

With this sponsorship, Tecnocrisa, a company specializing in electrical installations and air conditioning, makes it possible to financially provide the competition and promote the diversification of clothing and the color of the parades, both in the afternoon and at night.

This initiative consolidates the “Pintor Carlets” Award as a benchmark within the Moors and Christians Festival, promoting creativity, staging and collective work of the special squads.

Another year, the past Friday, January 9, was held at Festers Society Assembly Hall the act of intersections which will determine the pairings of the troupes in the different competitions of the Half a Year.

During the event, they were carried out, in a way random, the pairings of the different tournaments. Thanks to theMoors and Christians Ontinyent App, the draw could be followed live, seeing in real time how the different intersections were configured.

As outstanding news, this year the application will allow check live results and follow the preparation of the different phases of each competition. An improvement that has been possible thanks to the work of the company Melendev, creator of the application.

From the Governing Board of the Festers Society It is hoped that these conferences will take place in a friendly atmosphere, with respect between all players and with it fair play as a fundamental value of the party.

The president of the Society of Festers and the mayor of Ontinyent have made public the main appointments for the 2026 Moors and Christians Festival, an edition that stands out for its combination of professional prestige, artistic sensitivity and strong roots in the city.

The proclamation ofThe festivities will be delivered by the architect from Ontinyent, Ramón Esteve, a figure with a recognized national and international trajectory, chosen both for his professional career and for his link with Ontinyent and his vision of culture as a collective expression.

The official image of the festivities will be created by the Valencian studio Democràcia®, a reference in contemporary design for its conceptual vision and its own language. The 2026 poster aims to be a commitment to an image that transcends the mere visual element and connects with the festive emotion.

One of the most symbolic appointments will be that of musical director of the Moorish march Chimo, which will be taken on by Pilar Ferrero Silvaje. The appointment comes at a particularly emotional moment, coinciding with the centenary of the birth of her father, Mestre Ferrero, author of the piece, and after the City Council has declared 2026 as Ferrero Year.

Finally, the promotional video for the 2026 Festivities will be made by festival-goer Gusmà Kevin Muñoz Cortés, a professional in the audiovisual field who will provide a current and up-to-date look at the promotion of the festival.

With these appointments, Ontinyent begins the 2026 edition of the Moors and Christians Festival. An edition that will unite talent, memory and creativity to once again fill the streets with music, images and words.

Solidarity Charges are back this year ➕🌙

On December 20th, from 11:00 to 13:00, we are waiting for you at the Societat de Festers casino to share a morning full of solidarity and a good atmosphere.

In addition, during the event we will be collecting toys to collaborate with the Red Cross and Red Cross Youth in the “The Educational Toy” campaign.

Remember that used products are not accepted. For the Red Cross and Red Cross Youth, the right to play is equal for all children, regardless of the situation they find themselves in. That is why every year they demand that everyone have the same rights and the opportunity to try out new toys.

We will have workshops and hot chocolate for the little ones, so that the whole family can enjoy the event.

We are waiting for you!

The 2026 Mid-Year Festival already knows its protagonists. The Society of Festers of the Santíssim Crist de l'Agonia and the Ontinyent City Council have appointed the gusmán Dani Aguilera as the Medieval Market's town crier, while the designer Marta Aniceto will be in charge of creating the image of the Mid-Year Festival.

Dani Aguilera, herald of the Ontinyent Medieval:

Dani Aguilera's career is deeply linked to studies of the festival and the traditions of the town of Ontinyent, a background that, together with his critical and analytical perspective, has motivated his choice as town crier.

Member of the Gusmans Comparsa—the only comparsa he has been a part of—he has held several prominent positions.

His involvement goes beyond the festive sphere: he collaborates with cultural, festive and sports associations of Ontinyent, he has participated in theatrical texts and was co-author of the report that allowed the Valencian Football Federation to recover the founding date of Ontinyent CF.

Marta Aniceto, designer of the Mig Any Fester 2026:

The image of the Mig Any Fester 2026 will bear the signature of Marta Aniceto, a creator with a multidisciplinary vision that combines the digital and the artisanal.

Passionate about creativity and constantly learning, she understands design as a tool capable of generating meaning, connecting ideas and providing depth beyond the visual aspect. Her work is characterized by cultural sensitivity, the search for identity and the transformation of concepts into powerful graphic languages.

With these appointments, the Festers Society kicks off the 2026 Fester Half Year, which will officially begin on January 23 with the presentation of the Bulletin in the main hall of the Festers Society.

From that moment on, Ontinyent will experience a wide range of sporting, cultural and festive activities that will culminate in the celebration of the Mig Any Fester.

The Palau de la Vila d'Ontinyent hosted this Thursday the presentation of the braille book of the text of the Embassies of Moors and Christians, coinciding with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities celebrated this week. The event was attended by representatives of the City Council, the Festers Society, ONCE and people linked to the initiative, as well as the inaugural reading of the braille text by Pau Segura.

The mayor of Ontinyent, Jorge Rodríguez, recalled that the festivities, already of international tourist interest, “must be more inclusive than ever”, and cited actions carried out in previous years such as the poster designed by the Occupational Center or the appeal with the participation of its users. According to him, with this book in Braille “we take another step in the right direction, festivities for everyone that leave no one behind”. Rodríguez encouraged Pau Segura to become a future ambassador “and be the first to recite the verses of Cervino in Braille on the Day of the Embassies”.

The flag bearer of the Abencerrajes 2024 Embassy, Mar Padrino, explained that the idea was born two years ago after listening to Pau Segura read an adapted fragment of her embassy's leaflet. Padrino recalled "the emotion of the moment when Pau read the adapted text and how that moment gave shape to the project of bringing Cervino's texts closer to blind people". She thanked the involvement of ONCE, the Ontinyent City Council and the Festers Society and stated that this edition allows texts written in 1860 and which are part of the heritage of the festival and the city to become accessible and remain alive for everyone.

The president of the Festers Society, Ricardo Calabuig, described the event as a “privilege” and highlighted that this new book takes the festivities one step further in terms of inclusivity. He congratulated the ONCE Foundation for making the edition possible and stressed that this publication “increases the festive literary heritage while allowing blind people to have access to such an emblematic text as Les Ambaixades”. Calabuig recognised Mar Padrino’s determination to promote the initiative and insisted on the importance of breaking down barriers, recalling that “the festival is culture, but also humanity”.

For his part, Enrique Llin, president of the Territorial Council of ONCE Comunitat Valenciana, stressed the relevance of the presentation taking place just after the International Day of Persons with Disabilities and claimed the rights of the group, while recognizing the efforts of all those who work to improve inclusion. He also recalled that this year marks the 200th anniversary of the braille system, a tool that has greatly facilitated the autonomy of blind people and that has adapted to new times thanks to its versatility and compatibility with current technologies.

The General Assembly of the Society of Festers of the Most Holy Christ of the Agony has approved the modification of the text of the Statutes in order to establish a transitional regime that recognizes the merit of the festeres who, for chronological reasons, cannot yet meet the general requirements for obtaining the Silver Badge.
This update responds to the need to correct the comparative grievance generated by the literal application of article 64.b) of the Regulation, especially taking into account that the incorporation of women as full participants in the Moors and Christians Festivals of Ontinyent did not occur until 1989.
In this way, and on a transitional basis until 2039, festival participants who, upon reaching the age of 65, prove uninterrupted participation for a minimum period equivalent to the years elapsed since 1989 will be entitled to the automatic award of the Silver Badge, provided that they do not already possess it. This minimum will increase annually until it is equivalent to the required 50 years of participation:
- 2026: 36 years of participation
- 2027: 37 years
- …until you reach 50 years of age in 2039

From this date, the transit provision will cease to have effect and article 64.b) will apply on equal terms for partygoers and partygoers.
With this reform, the Society of Festers reaffirms its commitment to justice, equality and the balanced recognition of a festival trajectory that has shaped the identity and tradition of the Moors and Christians Festivals of Ontinyent for decades.

The Ontinyent City Council has granted a subsidy of €20,000 for the activity “Commemorative Parade Music – 2025 International Tourist Interest Festivities.”

📣 Information Sessions on the 2025 Parade.

The festival evolves, and the times demand reflection, rigor, and commitment. Therefore, the Festival Society presents a proposal aimed at ensuring a more sustainable, balanced, and vibrant parade for everyone.

👉 Come and learn in detail about the proposal that will be presented to the Assembly.

🗓️ November 20th and 27th
📍ASSEMBLY HALL OF THE FESTIVAL SOCIETY
⏰ 8:00 PM

Due to the weather forecast, our Fester Concert will change venue.
We'll see you on Wednesday, August 20th, at the Echegaray Theater, at 7:30 p.m., until capacity is reached.
We look forward to seeing you with the same energy and enthusiasm to keep the party going strong!

Ontinyent will be filled with music, gunpowder and color for another year with the return of the traditional old parades, which will once again roam the streets of the city on the weekend of July 26. On this occasion, the comparsas of Cruzados, Contrabandistas, Chanos, Benimerins and Abencerrajes will parade along Sant Antoni Street until they reach the Plaza Mayor, where the castle that is the emblem of our festivities and which this year turns 40 will shine. In addition, on Saturday August 16 at 00:00, a very special parade will take place on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Mudejar comparsa. Starting from the confluence of Dos de Maig and Martínez Valls streets to Plaça de la Concepció, this route will kick off a series of festivities that this year are receiving recognition as a Festival of International Tourist Interest. The old parades once again turn Ontinyent into a unique setting where tradition and celebration go hand in hand, inviting residents and visitors to enjoy a festive atmosphere that grows in participation and projection every year.

The governing board of the Festers Society has reported that this year the 2,900 euros collected in penalties and fines arising from breaches of holiday regulations have been allocated to the Valencian Association of ELA (ADELA CV)This decision was made through an automatic commission created within the Festers' Society itself, composed of the troupes that have held office for the past two years. On this occasion, they were Llauradors, Arquers, Mudéjares and Omeyas.

The sanctions correspond to the infractions that occurred during the 2024 Festivities, including numerous warnings to the comparsas for various reasons. With this initiative, the Festers Society continues the solidarity line begun in 2019, allocating the proceeds from the sanctioning processes to charitable entities.

In previous years, the funds had been allocated to organizations such as ADIEM, AMO, Inclou-TEA, Cáritas Ontinyent and AFAO, thus consolidating the commitment of the festival institution to the social and solidarity fabric of the city and the Valencian Community.

The Festeros Society of the Santísimo Cristo de la Agonía organizes, once again this year, our beloved Children's Squad Leaders School 🥳, aimed at all boys and girls aged 7 to 13 who want to learn and experience the magic of our festivals from the inside!

📚 The school will include:
✅ Learning the basics of squad leader.
✅ Christian march, Moorish march and 'pasodoble'.
✅ Squad mastery and guidance.
✅ Use of the saber, club, spear, knife and more!

🗓 It will take place on Saturdays, July 5, 12, and 19, with accreditation for all participants 🎖

💥 Don't miss this unique opportunity! We look forward to seeing you! 🙌

Last Saturday, June 21st, in a moving ceremony held in Ontinyent, Rafa Ferrero Terol received the 2025 Cervino Award, an award recognizing his long and valuable career in service to the Moors and Christians Festival. The ceremony was attended by representatives of the Festival Society, the City Council, festival officials, friends, and family.

“This award not only recognizes what you've done, but who you are and what you represent,” emphasized Ricardo Calabuig, president of the Festival Society, during his speech. “It's a well-deserved recognition for a lifetime of festival-going, generously dedicated to serving our festival.”

Rafa Ferrero has been a key figure in the recent history of Ontinyent's festival. He has served as president of the Festival Society, its flagship event, director of the Festival Museum, author of several books and articles, promoter, town crier, and lecturer, as well as a regular contributor to the media and all kinds of initiatives related to the festival world. His leadership was instrumental in the celebration of the 150th anniversary of our festival, the year in which it was awarded the status of Festival of National Tourist Interest.

This year, with Ontinyent recognized as a Festival of International Tourist Interest, this tribute to Ferrero takes on special significance.

With this award, the city recognizes not only their past contributions, but also the living legacy that continues to inspire new generations of festival-goers.

The Governing Board of the Society of Festivals of the Most Holy Christ of Agony has agreed to award the 2025 Cervino Prize to Rafa Ferrero Terol for his long and committed career in the Moors and Christians festivals of Ontinyent, both in the cultural and organizational and informative fields.

The Cervino Award annually recognizes individuals and organizations that have significantly contributed to the promotion and preservation of the festival. It bears the name of Joaquín José Cervino, author of the embassy verses recited since 1860 and declared an Asset of Intangible Cultural Interest by the Valencian Council.

Rafa Ferrero, associated with the Benimerins comparsa since childhood and currently an active member of the Mudéjares, has developed an exemplary career. Author of pioneering books, the festival's youngest announcer, director of the Museu Fester, co-director of the official program-magazine, and president of the Societat de Festers (2007–2011), he promoted numerous initiatives such as the 150th anniversary and the festival's recognition as a Festival of National Tourist Interest.

He has also excelled in the field of research and dissemination of Valencian textile heritage, as managing director of the Fundació Museu del Tèxtil de la Comunitat Valenciana, in addition to being a town crier and speaker at numerous cultural festivals and forums.

The award ceremony will take place at the Casino de la Societat de Festers on June 21, 2025.