Isabel Mª.
Sánchez: "This is a holiday and devotion in which pilgrims walk to the rhythm of guitars and tambourines and many neighbors from outside the region participate, who enjoy in the surroundings of the Sanctuary of the typical gastronomy of our Earth"
The Popular Party has urged the Governing Council, through a motion in the Regional Assembly, to support the file of declaration of regional tourist interest of the Pilgrimage of Santa Eulalia de Totana, which is held on December 8 and 7 January.
Isabel Mª.
Sánchez, promoter of the initiative, explained that "it is a day of fervor and devotion in which pilgrims walk to the rhythm of guitars and tambourines, between songs and food, and many residents of the region and outside it participate , who also enjoy the typical gastronomy of our land around the Sanctuary. "
The "popular" deputy has referred to the origins of the festivities, which "date back to the early seventeenth century, when totaneros, neighbors of the Guadalentín Valley and other places, went to the Hermitage of the Sierra, attracted by the many miracles granted by La Santa and where they also found refuge from the cold night with food and drink provided by the butlers, as well as the joy of sharing dances and corros ".
"But the true origin of the party is found on December 10, 1977, when the Council and the parish of Santiago decided to lower the size of the patron to the town of Totana," said Sanchez, "since people stopped go up to the sanctuary because of the weather conditions. "
"Currently, there are two pilgrimages that are made: the descent and the rise," explained the regional parliamentarian, to affirm that "today as yesterday, thousands of totaneros and tourists in love with the Sierra and its Santa, enjoy the happy night of the eve, as well as the transfer in Romería, on December 8, of the image of Santa Eulalia, taken on the shoulders in the early hours of the morning, accompanied by devotees, cheerful pilgrims, religious songs, folk dances, tasting the typical gastronomy and drinking its traditional mantellina to fight the cold ".
"It is in the Hermitage of San Roque where Santa Eulalia waits the next day to, in procession and accompanied by a multitude of totaneros carrying candles, be transferred to the church of Santiago, where it will remain until January 7," Isabel Mª described.
Sanchez, "which is when the Santa returns to the Hermitage in the mountains, in the populous and well-known Romería de La Santa".
"And it is then, after the celebration of the Eucharist at 8 in the morning, campaigning at 9, when the church of Santiago opens its doors before the fervent gaze of totaneros and tourists to begin the game back to the Sanctuary accompanied again by authorities and pilgrims ", explained the deputy of the PP in the Assembly, who stressed that" many of them come from various sites of Murcia and Spanish geography, as well as totaneros who reside outside but wait for this day to take La Santa to his house in his Shrine and celebrate upon arrival the Eucharist in his honor. "
"Totana lives during these days a party atmosphere that is known in many places in the Region and involves many neighbors from all over the nearby region and those not so close, to venerate Santa Eulalia for the great devotion professed by his faithful ", concluded Isabel Mª.
Sanchez
