The city of Sigüenza is getting ready to close a year filled with commemorations for the IX Centenary of the Reconquest, an event that will come to a close on January 25, 2025, on the feast day of San Vicente. Since January 15, 2024, the city has carried out nearly two hundred activities in honor of this significant historical milestone, thanks to the organization of the Advisory Council of the IX Centenary, under the direction of María Jesús Merino. This effort has managed to mobilize the community and has the support of various entities such as the City Council, the Provincial Council, and the Regional Government.
The events have been diverse and have included international congresses, exhibitions, and festivals, placing Sigüenza on the country’s cultural scene. To document and remember these four years of celebrations, the City Council will present a book from the ‘Seguntinas Living Letters’ collection, scheduled for January 25. Along with the publication, a video summary of the activities carried out will be screened, and a podcast titled “When the stones speak” will be launched, allowing for a review of the commemoration.
María Jesús Merino, the city’s mayor, has expressed her desire for the legacy of the IX Centenary to endure in the collective memory of Sigüenza. Her ambition focuses on a long-term goal: to transform Sigüenza into a UNESCO World Heritage site. Merino is optimistic that this dream will come true if the community remains united in this direction.
With the arrival of the San Vicente festivities, the city is preparing to relive its rich traditions. Celebrations will begin on January 21 with the arrival of the bonfire, in commemoration of the death of the saint, and the blessing of the traditional pastries. On January 22, the festivities will continue with a mass at the Cathedral, followed by a procession through the streets of Sigüenza, strengthening the community bond around its history.
The San Vicente festival will also feature a varied musical program, including the XIII Segontia Folk Festival, promoted by the Sigüenza Business Association (AES). This year features a prominent concert by Óscar Ibáñez & Tribo, a group celebrating two decades of career with a show that mixes Celtic and contemporary melodies. Additionally, the traditional Dulzaina and Tamboril Contest will take place, paying tribute to Gerardo López, a beloved local priest who recently passed away.
The historical significance of the IX Centenary lies in the reconquest of Sigüenza in 1124 by Castilian troops under the command of Bishop Bernardo de Agén. This event was crucial in the city’s history, which has continued to be a reference point in the province of Guadalajara and a vibrant cultural center.
Thus, Sigüenza is preparing not only to celebrate its past but also to look towards a hopeful future, with the intention that the memory of the IX Centenary will be a source of inspiration for the community in its pursuit of even more ambitious goals.
Source: MiMub in Spanish
