Benidorm celebrates the 282nd Anniversary of the Trobada de la Mare de Déu del Sofratge

Benidorm is preparing to celebrate the two hundred and eighty-second anniversary of its patron saint, the Mare de Déu del Sofratge. This was announced this morning by the Councilor for Festivities, Jesús Carrobles, at a press conference together with the president of the 2022 Comissió de les Festes Majors Patronals (FMP), José Vicente Fuster.

Carrobles thanked "the effort" made by the Comissió that has borne fruit in "a very intense program" that will reach its peak with the Offering of Flowers that, both in March and November, "is the act in which the people with the most devotion participate” and that recovers its traditional route.

On this occasion, the March festival has planned a tribute to all the older queens of the FMP which, it should be remembered, is a position that was established in 1971. The festival councillor has announced that "they will have their place in the Offering" that this year will feature the outstanding participation of all of them.

Carrobles has also had an impact on the exhibition of the 50 Years of Queens of the FMP last November that highlighted "its important role in our parties" and that "due to the pandemic" it did not show off as much as it could have.

The Councilor for Fiestas has placed special emphasis on two of the events planned for the coming days. The first, the tribute to Vicenta Pérez Bayona, 'Cuqui', "who is in charge of organizing the verses that are recited to the patron saint" and to whom the Societat Musical l'Illa will offer a concert. The second, Alba, an event "in which we meet our patron saint" and which brings together thousands of people before dawn before the main door of the Church of Sant Jaume and Santa Anna.

For his part, José Vicente Fuster has presented the program of events and has revealed who will be the new flag bearer of the FMP, a position that will fall to Cristóbal Ronda Sánchez, "a person closely linked to our festivities", president of the Mariners de la Mare de Deu.

Program of events

FROM MARCH 7 TO 20, 2022
Exhibition of the ACR 'La Barqueta" at its headquarters on Tomas Ortuño street.

MARCH 12, 2022
5:00 p.m. Meeting in the Casa del Fester to start the parade with the Major and Child Queens of the Major Patron Saint Festivities, their Courts of Major and Child Honor, President of the Commission, Flagbearer and family, Mayorales de Honor, Mayorales, Association of Peñas Virgen del Suffrage, and people of Benidorm.

5:15 p.m. Meeting with the image of the Mare de Déu del Sofratge at the headquarters of the ACR 'La Barqueta', which will join the parade to tour the streets, Tomás Ortuño, San Antonio, Avenida de los Almendros and Parque de Elche.

5:30 p.m. Paseo Colón. Gathering of all the Festive Entities and Clubs
in Benidorm.

6:00 p.m. SOLEMN PILGRIMAGE. After the shoot, from Poniente beach, of the twenty-one salvos, maximum honours to our Patron Saint, the Pilgrimage will begin, headed by the image of Mare de Déu del Sofratge and which will travel along Paseo de la Carretera, Alameda del Alcalde Pere Zaragoza Orts, Calle Mayor and Plaza de San Jaime. Upon arrival at the Church, the OFFERING OF FLOWERS TO THE MARE DE DÉU DEL SOFRATGE will be made.

After the offering of flowers, the Children's Queen, Chloe D'Hebboundt, will recite the verses written by Vicenta Pérez Sayona "Cuqui" dedicated to the patroness saint. Next, the Senior Queen, Aila Merenciano, will address a few words to the attendees and to the entire Benidorm town. Next, the event will be closed by the mayor, Toni Pérez. Finally, at Plaza de La Senyoria spectacular fireworks will be set off by Ricasa pyrotechnics.

MARCH 13, 2022
11:00 a.m. Commemorative Act of the "FIFTY YEARS OF QUEENS" in  "Julio Iglesias" Auditorium in Parque de L'Aigüera.

5:00 p.m. CONCERT tribute to Vicenta Pérez Bayona, 'Cuquí' at Julio Iglesias Auditorium in Parque de L'Aigüera.

MARCH 16, 2022
5:00 a.m. L'ALBA. "N'és l'hora de l'alba d'avui, setze de marg de l'any day of grace of a thousand set-cents quaranta...". Gathering at Plaza de San Jaime to await the 'arrival' of the Virgen del Sufragio in the town of Benidorm.

5:30 a.m. Opening of the doors of the Church of Sant Jaume and Santa Anna where the corresponding Salvas will be fired, by the Ricasa pyrotechnics, along with the ringing of bells and chants.

06:00 a.m. DAWN PROCESSION. We will accompany the Mare de Déu del Sofratge who will tour the streets of the old town, and we will visit the three beaches: Levante, Poniente and Mal Pas. We will finish with the traditional verses to the Virgin recited by Carmela Soria Martínez.

7:30 a.m. Thanksgiving Mass, officiated by Juan Antonio González, parish priest of the church, sung by lgna Martínez and Magdalena Simarro. In the end, a popular breakfast will be offered.

12:00 p.m. General ringing of bells in the Church of San Jaime and Santa Ana.

6:30 p.m. Meeting in the Casa del Fester to start the parade with the Major and Child queens of the Major Patroness Saint Festivities, their Courts of Major and Child Honor, president of the Commission, Flag Bearer and family, foremen of honour, foremen and Associació de Penyes 'Verge del Sofratge, which will tour Calle La Biga, Tomás Ortuño, Paseo de la Carretera, Santa Faz, and Plaza de San Jaime.

7:00 p.m. Appointment of the new Standard Bearer, Don Cristóbal Ronda Sánchez, and of the Mayorales de Honor.

7:30 p.m. SOLEMN EUCHARIST IN HONOR OF THE MOST EXCELLENT PATRONESS, LA MARE DE DEU DEL SOFRATGE, presided over by the parish priest of the Church, Juan Antonio González, and sung by the parish choir.

MARCH 20, 2022
8:30 p.m. Commemorative concert of the Rondalla de la ARC “’La Barqueta’ in the Church of Sant Jaume and Santa Anna.