The work “Alfalig”, by Saúl Gómez Soler, winner of the XXIII ‘Villa de Benidorm’ Festive Music Composition Contest

Saúl Gómez Soler, with the composition presented under the motto ‘Anns’, has been the winner of the twenty-third edition of the ‘Villa de Benidorm’ Festive Music Competition, which received a total of 18 compositions which this year has focused on the Moorish march modality and has been organized by the Department of Culture. The work has finally been baptized as ‘Alfalig’.

The Councilor for Culture, Jaime Jesús Pérez, was the one who revealed the name of the winner during the concert of the Benidorm Musical Union that took place last night in the Óscar Esplá auditorium in the Aigüera Park. The decision was adopted by the competition's jury, which included, in addition to the councillor, as president, Javier Cidrón (secretary), Juan Antonio Espinosa, Dunia Pérez and Francisco Anaya. The jury has valued the originality of the themes, the harmony, the melody, and other characteristics of the festive music, which are suitable for the parades of said festivities.

Several hundred people enjoyed the premiere of the Moorish march. In addition to the mayor and the councillor for Culture, the councillor for Festivals, Mariló Cebreros and other members of the corporation who were present together with the queens of the Festes Majors Patronals, Valentina Almodóbar and Laia Zamora, accompanied by their ladies-in-waiting; the president of the Commission, María Dolores Cano; the president of the Associació de Penyes ‘Verge del Sofratge’, Jaime Cortés, and a good part of the cultural, associative and festive world of the city.

After the concert of the Unión Musical, the composer received from the hands of the mayor of Benidorm and the president of the Alicante Provincial Council the prize of the competition which amounts to 2,000 euros and the corresponding certificate of accreditation.

Before the concert, the main Moorish and Christian figures made their entrance. The Christian king and queen were played by Antonio Jesús Díaz Serrano and Marifé Montoya, while Verónica Ribelles Sellés played the Moorish queen. The festivities will be held between 3 and 6 October.

The Benidorm Musical Union, conducted by Rafael Gómez Parra, performed a programme consisting of the following works: ‘Fester’ (Moorish March) by Saúl Gómez, ‘Pura casta’ (Pasodoble) by Paco Baenas, ’50 anys abassies Mutxamel’ (Moorish March) by Jorge Baeza, ‘Caballeros de Navarra’ (Christian March) by Ignacio Sánchez, ‘Chimo’ (Moorish March) by José María Ferrero and ‘Azcona’ (Christian March) by Juan Antonio García. The programme was completed with the last performance of the winning Moorish march of this year's competition, conducted by the author himself.

Between the first and second part of the concert, Manuel Palazón received recognition for his 30 years of dedication, which was extended to his son. A recognition that was also highlighted by the mayor in his speech, before naming the winning work. Toni Pérez recalled that next year marks the 700th anniversary of Benidorm Town Charter “and that is where the term Alfalig is included, the word that gives its name to the Canfali point”

At the end of the concert, the festive entities present paid homage to the festive officials of the festivities. After the event, a party was held in the Town Hall square with a DJ from Los 40Principales radio station.