Benidorm begins the centenary celebrations of the Coronation of its patroness saint with the premiere of the anthem and the prresentation of the poster

The city of Benidorm began its centennial celebrations yesterday afternoon, commemorating the proclamation and coronation of Our Lady of Suffrage as its patron saint. One hundred years ago, on December 9th, Pope Pius XI signed the papal rescript in Rome proclaiming Our Lady of Suffrage as the city's patron saint. This papal decision came in response to a request formally submitted on October 28, 1925, by parish priest Juan Segarra, which was supported by the City Council, then headed by Mayor Vicente Llorca Alós.

The afternoon began with the unveiling of the centennial poster, a work by local artist Mari Carmen Zaragoza Soriano, on the façade of the El Torrejó building. The event was attended by the mayor, members of the city council, the queens of the Patron Saint Festivities, Paula Pascual and Aitana Pérez, the president of the Commission, Ramón Cano, regional deputies Manuel Pérez Fenoll and José Ramón González de Zárate, Senator Agustín Almodóbar, as well as representatives of the city's civil society. The prelude, however, had taken place at midday with the ringing of the bells at the Church of San Jaime.

The artist thanked everyone who had considered her for the poster and explained each of its elements and their meanings: the angels, the Virgin's crown, the church, the patron saint's mantle, the sea, the cross of Saint James, etc. Zaragoza also explained that "I have fused painting and photography, seeking the symbolism of the elements involved in the composition." In the poster, the artist employed watercolour techniques and some acrylic touches.

Mayor Toni Pérez, for his part, emphasised that “the fervour and devotion of the city” was “fundamental” for the Pope to sign the rescript. Pérez also highlighted that the centenary “is a religious celebration” but insisted that in Benidorm “it is also a celebration that transcends religious boundaries because the city takes to the streets to celebrate these 100 years of the coronation.”

Similarly, the mayor announced that the anthem, which premiered yesterday and was composed for this celebration, “has wonderful music, the work of Juan Antonio Espinosa, and equally wonderful lyrics, written by Pep Zaragoza Pérez, ‘Pep el Carreró,’ who wrote some marvellous poems that have stood the test of time.” The mayor concluded his remarks by recalling that “the spirit of Benidorm today is the same as it was one hundred years ago because it has the crowned Virgin as its perpetual mayor.”

Following the unveiling of the poster, a Thanksgiving Mass was celebrated in the Church of San Jaime, officiated by parish priests Juan Antonio González and Jaume Benaloy. At the end of the Mass, the coronation hymn premiered, sung by the church choir, which received enthusiastic applause. Shortly afterwards, the composer, Juan Antonio Espinosa, stated that the work "is dedicated to Igna and Magdalena," members of the choir, and expressed his "happiness" at having been able to compose this hymn dedicated to the patron saint of Benidorm. After the events, hot chocolate and churros (fried dough sticks) were offered to all attendees outside the church.