Festival honours seafarers and the sea

2016-07-25 09:00:00

Thousands of visitors braved the scorching summer temperatures last week in order to enjoy a range of cultural activities and events under the banner of ‘El Mercado Marinero’, a four-day seafarers market that was held in the Plaza Chiriva in Carihuela.
Tourists and locals enjoyed a string of events on the main stage in the square, as well as the street market that offered local handicrafts and items relating to the sea.
Live music performances, dance shows, acrobatics and fire eating displays entertained the adults, while the children were occupied with the Viking ship, pirate camp and puppets shows, all of which were free.
The ambience was one of carnival, and visitors enjoyed mock pirate battles featuring the fearful Black Beard, as well as magical shows and displays of juggling and sword swallowing: one of the biggest attractions for the children was the appearance of a giant dragon that strode through the market at various times of the day.
There were also various workshops designed to give an insight into the seafarer’s daily routines, and one of the most popular demonstrated the art of net making; once an essential pastime in the former fishing village.
Carihuela had little time to relax after the festival had finished, for they had just four days to prepare for the feria in honour of La Virgen del Carmen, the traditional fair that began on Thursday and continues until Saturday 16 July.
This popular feria incorporates the procession of the Virgen del Carmen (Saturday), a solemn parade that sets off from the small church in Carihuela and continues to the beach, where the image of the Virgin is then carried into the sea.source surinenglish