This August, the Sexenni of Morella is Celebrated

It was in 1678 and as a thank you for saving the city from the plague that ravaged Europe when the inhabitants of Morella began to celebrate the Sexenni - a festive novena held every six years - in honor of the Virgin of Vallivana, their patron saint. This year, 340 years after the first celebration, the city will once again adorn its streets from August 18 to 27.

Declared a National Tourist Interest Festival and a Good of Cultural Interest, the Sexenni is the major festival of the city and this year celebrates its 54th edition, featuring traditional dances and processions such as the Retaule, the General Procession, as well as the tapestries that decorate the streets of Morella. These tapestries can be seen throughout the city and are made from silk paper flowers crafted by the inhabitants of Morella.

Regarding the celebrations of the Sexenni, they are organized by guilds, each responsible for one of the nine festival days. Thus, on the first day, the Town Hall and the clergy are in charge of the celebrations; the Elderly People, on the second day; the Farmers and Ranchers, on the third; the Morellano-Catalan Colony on the fourth; the Absent Morellanos, on the fifth; the Guild of Professions, Industry, and Transport, on the sixth; Commerce and Tourism, on the seventh; Arts and Crafts, on the eighth; and Youth, on the ninth and final day.

Throughout these days, traditional dances will take place, including the Tornero dance, where young dancers perform juggling and 180-degree jumps, as well as others such as Ars i Oficis, Teixidors, Llauradors, Gitanetes, the Corronquina, and the Jota de Morella. The streets of Morella will also be filled with the Retaule (Retablo), a procession in which each guild contributes its dance, music, and characteristic elements such as the "Carro Triomfant" from the Guild of Professions, Industry, and Transport or the depiction of the "Biblical Heroines" from the Commerce guild.

In addition to all this, as night falls, Morella offers a night tour along the route of the streets specially decorated for the Sexenni. The special lighting for these nine days adds value to the tapestries crafted throughout the year.

As the sun sets, Morella will be filled with music thanks to the musical performances that will take place over the nine days. This year, musical groups like La Raíz, Efecto Pasillo, and Hotel Cochambre will provide entertainment during the nights.