Benidorm begins on Monday the commemoration of the 286th anniversary of the discovery Mare de Déu del Sofratge

Benidorm begins its commemorative events for the 286th anniversary of the discovery of Mare de Déu del Sofratge this coming Monday, March 2nd. The events are organised by Comissió de Festes Majors Patronals in collaboration with the Department of Fiestas, headed by Mariló Cebreros. The program kicks off with an exhibition on the 40th anniversary of the Rondalla La Barqueta. The exhibition will be open to the public from 7:00 PM on Monday until March 16th at the association's headquarters, located at 62 Tomás Ortuño Street.

Also from the 2nd to the 16th, the Casa del Fester will host an exhibition of the works from the 23rd School Drawing and Painting Competition, organised by the ACR La Barqueta. The prizes will be awarded on March 12th at 6:00 PM at the cultural centre.

On Saturday, March 14th, the large pilgrimage and offering to the patron saint will take place, departing from Elche Park. The festival, social, and cultural organisations of Benidorm will participate, and the children's queen of the Patron Saint Festivities, Carmen Guillem, will recite the traditional verse to the patron saint, written this year by Pepa Orozco. The adult queen, Laura Ivars, will also address the Virgin of Suffrage and the people of Benidorm.

Music will be the highlight of Sunday, the 15th, with two concerts. The first, at 11:00 a.m., will be a performance by the Benidorm Musical Union, featuring "Musicians of the Town," at Plaza Mayor. The second performance will be given by the Rondalla ACR La Barqueta, starting at 8:00 p.m. in the Church of Sant Jaume and Santa Ana.

The commemorative events will conclude on March 16, the 286th anniversary of the arrival of the image of the Virgin Mary in Benidorm. On this day, the traditional Alba procession will take place, beginning at 6:00 a.m., half an hour after the doors of the Church of Sant Jaume and Santa Ana open.

During the Alba procession, the townspeople will accompany the Virgin Mary of the Suffrage through the streets of the old town, taking her to Levante, Poniente, and Mal Pas beaches. Upon returning to the church, a Thanksgiving Mass will be celebrated at 7:30 a.m., and at noon, there will be a general ringing of the church bells. In the evening, at 8:00 p.m., a Mass in honour of the patron saint will bring the commemorative program to a close.

The Councillor for Fiestas encouraged citizens to “participate in all the events that the Festival Committee and the La Barqueta Local Association have designed with dedication and enthusiasm to honour our patroness saint, demonstrating once again Benidorm’s devotion and respect for the Virgin.”