The Malaga Fair is one of the most important festivities of the city, which commemorates the entry of the Catholic Monarchs to the city, its reconquest in 1487 and its incorporation into the Crown of Castile.
The festival lasts 7 or 8 days, although there have been some years when it lasted 10 days.
When the kings took the city, occupied by the Moors at that time, the image of the Virgen de la Victoria was given to the city. On the occasion of this memorable event, the newly constituted Town Council agreed to hold an annual festival to commemorate this date.
The capture of the city took place on the 19th of August, but the date was set to coincide with the day of the Assumption of the Virgin, the 15th of that month.
The first celebration took place with a procession. But the following year the date was moved to 19 August, the day of Saint Louis.
Every year this great celebration is present, in the beginning there were processions, fireworks, masses, but with the passing of time the festivity of San Luis only consisted of a mass and sermon.
The starting date of the Malaga fair has changed a lot over the years, but is usually included in its duration on the 15th of August. Along with the procession to the Virgen de la Victoria.
The location has also changed over time, passing through the Heredia quay, Paseo del Parque, Teatinos, until it reached its current location.
Today the fair of Malaga takes place in two places. The first is Calle Marqués de Larios next to the Plaza Constitución and other nearby squares and the second place is Cortijo de Torres, where the fairground, Palacio de Ferias y Congresos de Málaga, is located.
Until approximately 18:00 hours the celebrations take place in the first place and then the recitals, various stalls and amusement park in the second place.
In this case I show you how the activities take place in the historical centre of the city, that is to say the first of the above mentioned places.
The fair always starts on a Friday with a fireworks party on the beach La Malagueta, which is the start of the opening ceremony.
Then at the day fair, in the historic centre, you can see singing, dancing, numerous stalls and stalls selling fans, scarves, decorative flowers for the hair.
It is really impressive how many people are there, which coincides with the summer holidays and of course the arrival of millions of tourists from all over the world.
The streets of the historical centre are decorated with lots of colour, flower arrangements and lanterns.
Numerous shows are held for children, young people and adults. Dancing in the streets is everywhere, women in flamenco dresses, lots of colour and joy in every street.
Numerous events, orchestras, recitals and the inevitable verdiales fill these special dates with happiness.
Every event that takes place demonstrates the folklore of the place, the customs, but above all there is an unparalleled joy. Everyone dances, sings, laughs and the energy is contagious.
Flamenco and coplas are the stars of this great fiesta, which can be seen in every corner of every street of this historic place. The whole city dresses up for the party.
The evening party consists of open-air shows, recitals, stalls with different events, restaurants, dances from different parts of the world and the mechanical park especially for children.
Bullfights and other spectacles are held at the bullring.
This year the fair starts on the 12th of August until the 19th and during these days the town is filled with joy and merriment. Everywhere you can see the women with their dresses, their flowers reminding the flamenco, the folklore, the tradition and the unparalleled joy of the people of Malaga.
Both the whole city and the people are dressed in festive clothes and there is an energy in the air that is difficult to put into words, from excitement to euphoria.
I hope I have transmitted to you a little of the happiness that I have experienced in the middle of and through the streets of Malaga.
Best regards to all of you and see you next time.
Amonet.
All photographs are my own.
Separators created by me in Photoshop.
Used translator Deepl.com free version.
[//]:# (!pinmapple 36.71907 lat -4.42153 long Malaga Fair 2023 📷 Spain d3scr)