Valencia Trader

Rei Pàixaro. A medieval tradition in Biar, Alicante.

On the weekend of January 14th and 15th, the municipality of Biar, Alicante, will hold its festivity in honour of San Antonio Abad, patron saint of animals. During the celebrations on Saturday night, a peculiar character, who goes by the name of Rei Pàxaro, will appear in the Gran Cabalgata as it marches along the traditional streets of the town, while parading neighbours set bonfires ablaze. The Cavalcade will end with the Gran Cordada in the Plaza del Convento.

Apparently linked to an ancient pagan celebration, the festivity goes back to the Middle Ages. It depicts the custom of collecting taxes on agriculture from the Moriscos in Biar before they were expulsed.

The celebration is a blending of the customary blessing of the animals and the veneration of a very peculiar member of the royal court, Rei Pàixaro, who takes the centre of attention away from the saint.

Start Date	January 14, 2006
End Date	January 15, 2006