Algemesí is a small city not far from Xàtiva. It can easily be reached on the commuter train line (Cercanias / Rodalias) that connects Xàtiva and Valencia. Algemesí is the train stop just north of Alzira.
Algemesí is host to a yearly festival of note called the “fiesta de la Mare de Déu de la Salut.” Literally this refers to the mother of God of health, or “our lady of health.”
Spain has an abundance of local festivals, and I had not been aware of this particular one. But a couple of days after my arrival I saw an article in the newspaper, so on Sunday September 8th, I hopped on the train and got off in Algemesí. Much of the festival activity goes on between the small church dedicated to Mare de Déu de la Salut and the Plaza Mayor, site of an impressive, larger church dedicated to Santiago (Saint James).
In addition to the usual activities, this year the event was being filmed for a documentary about the Valencian Community. This meant that in addition to the “civilian” photographers in the crowd, cameras held high overhead to try to capture scenes mostly hidden by the crowd, there were photos being taken from a huge mechanical boom apparatus, and even a remote controlled hovering camera that briefly flew onto the scene.
The day was hot, the square was incredibly packed so I did not stay long enough to really do justice to the festivities. Nevertheless, here are a few pictures and a short video.
Groups of male dancers in red and female dancers in blue
smack small batons and clank metal disks while weaving in and out.
Brief video highlights: