Fiestas de San Blas y Santa Águeda (Mequinenza) facts for kids
Fiestas de San Blas and Santa Águeda are special celebrations in the town of Mequinenza, located in the province of Zaragoza, Aragon. These holidays are a very old tradition, celebrated for over 300 years! They are known for their unique events and colorful activities, attracting many visitors. People in Mequinenza actively join in both the religious and fun parts of the celebrations.
Some of the cool things you'll see include the "delivery of the baton" ceremony and exciting costume contests for both kids and adults. They also make traditional treats called "coca" and "pa beneït." These festivals happen in the first half of February and are known as the town's winter celebrations. Since 2018, they have been officially recognized as a Festival of Tourist Interest in Aragon, which means they are a really important and popular event for visitors.
What is the history of the San Blas and Santa Águeda festivals?
There is proof that the celebrations for Saint Blas and Saint Águeda have been happening in Mequinenza for at least three centuries. This tradition became even stronger when the old village of Mequinenza was flooded by the Ebro River in the 1970s due to a new dam. The town had to move to a new spot a few kilometers away.
Historically, men were in charge of the Saint Blas procession, and women led the Saint Águeda procession. However, over time, the tradition changed. Today, the groups that organize these festivals, called the Commissions of Saint Blas and Santa Águeda, are made up only of women. These women take on a very important leadership role during the celebration days.
The festivals of Saint Blas and Santa Águeda gained even more importance during the Franco regime. Even though it was forbidden to wear costumes, the people of Mequinenza bravely continued to do so. This act of defiance made the tradition even more popular and special for the town.
How are the San Blas and Santa Águeda festivals celebrated?
The festival officially begins with a special ceremony called the "delivery of the Clave of Control" to the Commissions of Saint Blas and Santa Águeda. The religious celebrations for Saint Blas take place on February 3, and for Santa Águeda on February 5.
The day ends with famous handmade costume contests for both children and adults. Many colorful parades, called "rúas," travel through the town, filled with music. During the celebrations, people make "cokes," which are traditional sweet treats. They are made with oil, flour, and water, plus a secret ingredient known only by each Commission. The special way to prepare "cokes" is passed down from one generation to the next within the Commissions of Saint Blas and Santa Águeda.
Tradition, fun, and bright colors come together during these festivals. The town fills with visitors from all over Spain and other countries. They are drawn by the amazing handmade costumes. Groups parade through the streets, dressed as historical figures, imaginary creatures, or characters from stories. They dance to different kinds of music.
People start working on their costumes months before the festival. It's a lot of hard work, all done by hand, showing off everyone's creativity and cleverness. The entire town of Mequinenza gets involved. The festival of Saint Blas and Santa Águeda shows the community's teamwork and artistic spirit. It is a symbol of identity and a well-known event in the entire Low/Baix Cinca Region.
