In spring, Alicante bursts into life with thousands of subtle sensations that awaken our senses.

The scent of sea salt, orange blossom, incense, esparto grass and rosemary. The taste of dishes prepared by our grandmothers, with the unforgettable flavour of chickpeas with spinach, aspencat, hake fritters, tuna, bread with tomato and anchovies, pericana, hearty stews and torrijas. The sound of drums and bugles, of Misereres and cantatas, of the rhythmic shuffle of the bearers’ shoes and the gentle jingling of the tassels on the canopy’s cords against the finely chiselled poles that support it, of the foremen’s voices and the heartfelt cries of the saeta singers.

The feel of the penitents’ candle wax, carried by the brothers to illuminate their images of Christ and His Most Holy Mother; of the traditional ruan and serge fabrics, of the soft velvet and the rough gold embroidery adorning the mantles and banners. The sight of our centuries-old sacred images, of the penitential processions, of our battered and wounded Christs and their Sorrowful Mother, enduring her immeasurable grief; of the bearers adjusting their garments in a corner of the Basilica, or of the acolyte swinging the fragrant censer in time with the rhythm of his cofrade heart. And above all, the light.

That Mediterranean light, intense and blue, reflected in the sky and the sea. The light of Life. The light of the Resurrection. The light of hope beyond death. That light of Alicante which fills everything and illuminates our lives.

Alicante Holy Week is light, scent, taste, sound and touch. Alicante Holy Week is tradition, history and faith. More than four centuries of guild brotherhoods devoted to the greater glory of Our Lady of Remedy, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Saint Roch, Saint Blaise and Saint Anthony. Alicante Holy Week is also the Holy Face and Veronica; pilgrimage, traditional smocks, scarves and walking canes.

But Holy Week is also about solidarity and charity towards our neighbours. This is put into practice by the 28 Brotherhoods and Guilds that process from their parishes and canonical seats to the Holy Co-Cathedral of Saint Nicholas of Bari, sometimes along its broad avenues and boulevards, and sometimes through the narrow, hidden streets of its historic centre. It is love made visible through social and charitable work, welcoming and embracing those most in need in their neighbourhoods and parishes.

This year, the Board of Holy Week Brotherhoods and Guilds of Alicante celebrates 75 years of history. A significant chapter in the history of Alicante. I invite you to become part of this shared project, which belongs to us all.

As President of the Board of Holy Week Brotherhoods and Guilds of Alicante, I invite you to join this shared project, which belongs to us all, and to take part in and enjoy the many important events that the Governing Council is preparing: concerts, exhibitions, talks, photography competitions, gastronomic events and routes, drum performances and a magnificent Official Proclamation await you, alongside the penitential processions, Stations of the Cross, tridua, novenas, devotional kissing ceremonies and the many other events organised by the individual Brotherhoods and Guilds.

I am certain that none of this will disappoint you, because all this work is dedicated to you, the very people whose strength and commitment have brought our Holy Week this far.

With a warm and fraternal embrace in Christ and Mary.