L’Horta de Benidorm celebrates the main day of Festes del Roser with the pilgrimage, the opening proclamation, and the traditional ‘ball del peuet’
Toni Pérez announces that the Three Wise Men will not miss their appointment with the neighborhood this coming January 5th.
Festes del Roser in Benidorm celebrated their main day yesterday afternoon with the traditional flower procession, the opening proclamation, the *copletes*, and the *ball del peuet*—an event that brought together hundreds of residents as well as representatives from civic institutions and the festival community in l’Horta.
The festivities began at 5:00 p.m. with the traditional pilgrimage (*romería*), followed by the opening proclamation (*pregón*), which was delivered this year by Alba Contreras. Attendees included Mayor Toni Pérez; the Councillor for Festivities, Mariló Cebreros; other members of the municipal council; regional deputy José Ramón González de Zárate; and the Director General for Family and Childhood, Angélica Such.
Representatives from the local festival community were also present, including the *Festes Majors Patronals* queens, Laura Ivars and Carmen Guillem, and the president of the *Festes Majors Patronals* Commission, Ramón Cano. Representatives from various local groups also attended, such as the *Associació de Penyes Verge del Sofratge*, the *l’Horta* Residents' Association, the *Casa de Andalucía*, and the commissions for Sant Isidre and Sant Antoni.
Alba Contreras—who has been deeply connected to the neighbourhood's traditions since childhood and served as president of the *Roser* Commission in 2009—shared family memories and personal experiences that have shaped her bond with *l’Horta* during her proclamation speech. She emphasised the importance of one's roots and of passing customs down to new generations.
In her address, Contreras summarised the significance this family-oriented setting holds for her: "To me, this place represents family and unity—with a capital letter—values that our elders have always instilled in us." She also highlighted the role of the *Ermita* (Hermitage) as a place for gathering and community: "It is the most special and cherished spot in our neighbourhood. It is a place for quiet reflection, a meeting point, and a hub of tradition, faith, and celebration."
Following the proclamation, Paula Mayor—president of the 2026 *Roser* Commission—expressed her gratitude to the individuals, organisations, and businesses that contributed to the celebration, as well as to the commission members for their hard work throughout the year. In his remarks, he summed up the spirit of these festivities in a single phrase: "Here in l’Horta, the festivities are experienced with the family."
The final speaker of the afternoon was Mayor Toni Pérez, who highlighted the value of personal bonds and the collective memory built around the festivities. "The legacy we leave on this land, the memories we create, the paths we walk, and the bonds we forge during the festival are indelible," he noted. Pérez also expressed his gratitude to the president of the Roser Committee and all its members. Furthermore, he announced that the Three Wise Men would arrive at the Les Coves stop on January 5th.
Next, the traditional *copletes* were sung, and the *Ball del Peuet* dance was performed, featuring the 2026 Queens of the Major Patron Saint Festivities—Laura and Carmen—and their courts of honour, alongside residents; afterwards, a loud *estampeta* (salute of firecrackers) was fired in honour of the Virgin Mary. The celebration continued with a *picaeta* (light snack reception) enlivened by the *Xaranga la Nova* band and music from DJ Kalenda.
The Roser festivities continue today, Sunday, with a *despertà* (early morning wake-up call with firecrackers) and a solemn mass at 10:30 a.m. Following this, the new committee for the 2027 Roser Festivities will be appointed. The program will conclude on Sunday, October 18, at 10:30 a.m., with a requiem mass in memory of the deceased from L’Horta and Benidorm.
