NOTICIA-2026-La Muixeranga de la Marina Alta protagonizó una espectacular exhibición en Utrera

The city of Utrera experienced a unique cultural day last Saturday, June 13th, with the celebration of the "Heritage Unites Us" event. This initiative brought together the Muixeranga de la Marina Alta, the Bell Ringers of Utrera, and flamenco in a program that highlighted three expressions recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage. The event drew nearly one hundred visitors from the Valencian Community, who participated in a program held in various emblematic locations throughout the town. Reception at the Town Hall The day began in the morning with an official reception at the Utrera Town Hall, where the members of the Muixeranga were welcomed by representatives of the municipal government. During the event, they also gave an impromptu performance in the inner courtyard of the Town Hall, sparking the curiosity and interest of those present. The mayor of Utrera, Francisco Jiménez, said he was completely surprised and took the opportunity to praise Utrera, a town he described as “very welcoming and which continues to maintain its spirit to this day, despite our growth.” Following the mayor's remarks, the organizers presented the City Council with paintings depicting the art of the Muixeranga. Visit to the bell tower and demonstration in Santiago Later, the participants visited the town's bell tower, where they learned firsthand about the work of the Utrera Bell Ringers and enjoyed a demonstration of the traditional manual ringing techniques that have made this group a benchmark in the preservation of sound heritage. In the afternoon, the Church of Santiago hosted one of the highlights of the event. There, a joint exhibition took place in which the human towers of the Muixeranga merged with the sound of bells and the accompaniment of flamenco guitar, offering a unique cultural experience that united tradition, music, and heritage. Some of the participants in this Muixeranga shared their first impressions of the event with the UVITEL team. Some recounted their personal experiences and their connection to the Muixeranga, others praised the atmosphere in Utrera, and overall, there were only positive comments about this union between the Valencian Community and our town. Furthermore, the president of the Federation of Muixerangues, Saül Ortolà, took the opportunity to explain more about the history of the Muixeranga: “This tradition was very strong for several centuries, but over time it declined, surviving especially in Algemesí. Thanks to this town, it experienced a resurgence, leading to the 24 groups we have today.” Furthermore, speaking from inside the sanctuary, he commented that bringing the Valencian tradition to Utrera had been “a tremendous privilege” and took the opportunity to emphasize the importance of building bridges between this tradition, the bell ringers, and flamenco. Parade to close the event The program continued with a parade through the streets of the historic center, bringing the spectacle closer to residents and visitors. The day culminated in the Plaza del Altozano with a grand Muixeranga performance accompanied by various cultural expressions, drawing a large crowd to one of the city's most iconic spaces. After the performances, participants from the three cultural traditions shared a gathering that served to exchange experiences and strengthen ties between groups committed to the preservation, dissemination, and transmission of intangible cultural heritage. The initiative fostered closer ties between Andalusia and the Valencian Community through their most deeply rooted traditions, demonstrating how different cultural expressions can meet and enrich each other under a common goal: preserving and disseminating a legacy that forms part of the collective identity of their people.