The Guadix City Council presented its Holy Week celebrations at the FITUR International Tourism Fair on Thursday, January 23rd. Holy Week is one of the city's biggest annual events. The presentation also highlighted the future Provincial Museum of Holy Week, to be established by the Granada Provincial Council in the Convent of the Conception in Guadix, and the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Cathedral Choirboys (Seises), which is being celebrated this year. A video, created by Alberto Tauste, perfectly captures the deep-rooted devotion to Holy Week brotherhoods among the people of Guadix and the significant impact of this celebration on the city. Other videos about the convent and the choirboys were also shown.
The delegation from Guadix was headed by the mayor, Jesús Lorente, along with several members of the City Council. Also attending the presentation were the president of the Granada Provincial Council, Francis Rodríguez; the regional delegate for Tourism, Culture and Sport, Fernando Egea; the president of the Federation of Holy Week Brotherhoods and Fraternities of Guadix, Manuel Díaz, and members of its board; the dean of Guadix Cathedral, Juan Sáez; and the director of the Cathedral Choirboys, Jesús Galera Trigueros.
In his address, the mayor of Guadix pointed out that “Holy Week in Guadix is undoubtedly one of our city's main tourist attractions, but it is much more than a religious celebration. It is a significant reflection of our values as a city, an event that symbolizes the ancestral legacy connecting our history with past, present, and future generations. These processions showcase in all their splendor the rich religious imagery that forms part of the artistic heritage of a city that has left its mark on national and international history.”
He also added that “every procession, every float that leaves the churches and travels through our streets, does so thanks to the efforts of our brotherhoods, confraternities, and countless volunteers who, year after year, pour their heart and soul into making every detail perfect. It is the result of a dedication passed down from generation to generation, and lived with passion and pride in every family in Guadix. During Holy Week, Guadix is transformed into a meeting place, where tradition, art, and devotion come together, but also an unparalleled opportunity for tourism.”
For his part, the president of the Granada Provincial Council, Francis Rodríguez, has announced that, for the first time ever, the official opening address for Holy Week in the province of Granada will be given. The event will take place at the Convent of the Conception in Guadix, which will become the future Provincial Museum of Holy Week in Granada. Fernando Egea has been chosen to deliver the address. Regarding the future museum, he affirmed that it represents a strategic step in promoting cultural and religious tourism in the Guadix region, guaranteeing the preservation of a priceless historical heritage while simultaneously boosting tourism development in a key area of the province. He explained that the project will begin to take shape and be developed shortly.
Finally, the Delegate for Tourism, Culture, and Sport, Fernando Egea, affirmed that Holy Week in Guadix “possesses a unique beauty in its imagery, heritage, and reenactments,” and highlighted the combination of heritage beauty with the opportunity to experience Holy Week from special vantage points. “Seeing the Nazarene surrounding the Alcazaba or the Virgin of Sorrows in that historic setting is an unforgettable experience,” according to the delegate.
Furthermore, Egea highlighted the gastronomy of Guadix and the local culture, which is complemented by the museum dedicated to Holy Week throughout the province of Granada, which will be "a great opportunity to delve deeper into this tradition and makes Guadix a must-see destination for those who want to experience an authentic Holy Week."