Due to the pandemic, the celebrations of the events have been limited to a food offering and a mass at l’Aigüera
Benidorm pays tribute to its patroness saint, the Mare de Déu del Sofratge
More than 600 people have gathered today in 'Julio Iglesias' Auditorium of Parque de l'Aigüera in Benidorm to pay tribute to the patroness saint of the city with a mass in which, in addition, the members of honor of the Fiestas commission and the standard bearer of Major Patron Saint Festivities 2021.
The religious ceremony was attended by the mayor, Toni Pérez, and the Fiestas councilor, Jesús Carrobles, along with practically all of the municipal corporation. The national deputy, Agustín Almodóbar, was also there and the regional and former mayor of the city, Manuel Pérez Fenoll; the queens of the Major Patron Saint Festivities, Paula Pérez and Sofía Fuster, their court of honor; and the presidents of the Commission and the Associació de Penyes ‘Verge del Sofratge’, Batiste Rostoll and Adrián Romero.
This was the only commemorative act of the 281st anniversary of the arrival of the patroness saint of the city, together with the food offering that the Associació de Penyes organized on Saturday afternoon at Casa del Fester ‘Diego Cano Enguera’.
Following the strict protocol and safety regulations imposed by the health authorities, after the religious ceremony, the Queens of the Festivities read the traditional verses to the virgin and the Mayor recalled how centuries ago, from the ashes of a boat she was rescued by fishermen and since then the image is venerated in the city.
In the early afternoon, the 2021 members of honor were announced: Mª Carmen Cortés, Lola Cabot, Paquita Orts, Elvira Fernández, Pepa Pérez, Ricardo Verdesoto, Soledad Azorín, Luis Iborra, Pepita Mateo, Cirilo Olivares and Pepa Ivars . Next, the outgoing standard-bearer Vicente Berenguer has transferred the banner to the new standard-bearer of the Comissió de Festes Majors Patronals 2021, Vicente Fuster, who, together with his family, has shown his gratitude to all the people of Benidorm present in the event.
The event come to an end with the greetings of Sofía Fuster and Paula Pérez who will extend their reign during 2021 because of Covid-19. And, finally, Toni Pérez, took the floor to remind those present that, if the pandemic “had not hit us, this act would have taken place yesterday afternoon”, although “we would not have had a Eucharist as beautiful as the one that we have had today ”.
The mayor has shown all his support to those who "have endured" these two years "because" it is the 281 anniversary of the Arrival of the Mare de Déu, we have missed 280 ". Toni Pérez has also had a fond memory for all the people who have left us, "some very close."
The first mayor recalled on the calendar that March 15, 1740, a day that marked an event "without which the history of our people would not be the same" and, returning to the present, has valued the efforts of all the people , especially children and young people, represented by the queens "who have given us the example" with their combat in times of pandemic.
Finally, the mayor has launched a message of hope for the next return to normality, when circumstances allow. "The time will come to do it - he stressed - but now we have to continue taking care of ourselves, always keeping hope alive."
