Valencia’s Community Day: A Heritage Celebration Across Cities
The city of Valencia and nearby municipalities come alive each October with a vibrant tapestry of events that honor local history and communal spirit. On this day, residents reflect on the storied entry of King Jaime I into Valencia in 1238. That moment marked the end of Muslim rule and the beginning of a new era for the city under the crown of a Christian monarch. The anniversary serves as a reminder of resilience, cultural exchange, and shared identity that continues to shape Valencia today.
Exactly one century after the royal entry, a traditional Moors and Christians parade has become a cornerstone of the celebrations. This procession draws hundreds of participants who don historically accurate costumes, recreating the period of reconquest and the early days of the city under new rulers. The parade is a living exhibit of regional folklore, emphasizing craft, music, and pageantry that have endured for generations.
During the festival, the regional flag Senyera is displayed with reverence as a symbol of the crown and the community. The emblem stands in close association with the figure of King Jaime I. A notable depiction of the flag in a historical context exists in a fresco from the Aguilar Palace in Barcelona, housed by the National Art Museum of Catalonia. The painting portrays the king near the end of his life during the siege of Mallorca, holding the flag with two red bars on a yellow field, a scene that resonates with local memory and regional history.
From October 1 through October 9, Generalitat Valenciana coordinates a wide array of cultural and festive activities across Valencia, Castellón, Alicante, and Orihuela. The celebrations culminate with Saturday night fireworks and the opening of principal palaces in the major cities, offering residents and visitors alike a chance to experience the artistic and ceremonial heart of the region. The schedule emphasizes both public performances and intimate traditions that connect communities through shared experiences and a sense of place.
The festival also coincides with the day of Sant Donís, a day cherished by Valencia couples and families. A beloved custom involves the Mocadorà or Mocaorà, where marzipan confections are gathered in a handkerchief and tied with a knot or ring emblematic of a cluster. Patisserie chefs across the community prepare thousands of marzipan figurines every year for this treat, and the event sees more than 70,000 kilos of marzipan transformed into about 200,000 Mocadorà pieces. The tradition blends confectionery artistry with affectionate rituals, strengthening local ties and culinary heritage.[CITATION: Valencia regional cultural archives]”