Monzón returns to the thirteenth century on the weekend of May 23-25 with the XXIII Templar Tribute to Jaime I and Guillem de Mont-Rodón, where more than 600 reenactors and "thousands" of residents will participate, dressed for the occasion, to rediscover the "origins and roots" of this town in Cinca Medio and a historical event that also shaped the destiny of the Crown of Aragon.
The Mayor of Monzón, Isaac Claver, presented the upcoming edition of this cultural and touristic event in Zaragoza, accompanied by the Minister of Environment and Tourism of the Government of Aragon, Manuel Blasco, and a group of actors dressed in period clothing.
"We recreate the arrival of the young king Jaime I –later known as ‘The Conqueror’– to the city of Monzón and his custody and tutelage under the Order of the Temple, from 1214 to 1217, and his commander Guillem de Mont-Rodón," explained Claver. To this end, more than 70 acts have been planned, from Friday afternoon to Sunday, running parallel to the XIX edition of the Traditional Arts and Crafts Fair.
The true essence of the festival, according to the Mayor of Monzón, lies in the "involvement and commitment" of thousands of Montison residents who dress up for the occasion. "We have the participation of numerous associations, residents, and visitors –coming from six autonomous communities– to experience a unique and special moment where we recreate our history, showcase our heritage, origins, and roots." Isaac Claver also highlighted the collaboration with the sister city of Muret, France.
Main Events and Innovations
The activities involve a significant part of the Montison society, with over 300 individuals from 34 groups, totaling more than 1,300 participants in the jaimas activities, including challenges, workshops, musical entertainment, and a contest with prizes in the form of fee reductions.
Regarding the main events, Claver emphasized the "grand parade with thousands of people" on Saturday afternoon, as well as a medieval jousting tournament on Sunday morning at the José Antonio Labordeta Auditorium.
As additions to the program, there is a new theatrical scene titled ‘The Decision. A Child King for Monzón,’ to be performed on Friday at 9:00 p.m., with the participation of La Lira Band playing ‘Templar.’
Another novelty in this XXIII edition is the Templar Train, thanks to collaboration with Adif, which will bring over 200 visitors from Zaragoza to Monzón. This service will be complemented by a Templar bus, in collaboration with Avanza and Aventín, promoting the festivities in Zaragoza, Huesca, and Cataluña.
The medieval market features 75 stalls and will open on Saturday morning, offering itinerant shows, demonstrative workshops, and stalls with gastronomy and craftsmanship. The jaimas area in the Azucarera park will host much of the participatory activity of local groups. Guided and theatrical visits to the castle and cathedral have also been scheduled.
Support from the Government of Aragon
Manuel Blasco highlighted the impact of this medieval festival on the tourist promotion of Monzón, which has been recognized as of Touristic Interest in Aragon and aspires to achieve national recognition.
On this occasion, the economic support from the Government of Aragon for this festival amounts to 40,000 euros, allocated to various events and moments throughout the weekend, as well as for the dissemination and promotion of the event itself.
Claver defended the "unique historical accuracy" of the Templar Tribute to Jaime I and Guillem de Mont-Rodón compared to other historical reenactments or festivals, both in terms of event precision and attire, performances, and meals. He also noted that this festival is endorsed by the Spanish Association of Historical Festivals and Reenactors and carries an "intangible component of affection and passion."
In this regard, the Minister of Environment and Tourism added: "Competition is good." He clarified that "there are many fairs," but the ones "done well endure over time," pointing to the event celebrated in Monzón as a successful case.
Blasco praised the "effort" of Montison residents to maintain and enhance this medieval festival, believing it is poised for success. Additionally, he mentioned that an event of this nature has a dual aspect: economic, due to its impact on the municipality and its surrounding region, and sentimental, as it "reaffirms the identity of a very important city," such as Monzón.
In fact, Isaac Claver mentioned "high occupancy rates" in Monzón, as well as in Binéfar and Barbastro. "It is a weekend where thousands of people are mobilized, there are hundreds of overnight stays, and we are visited from six different autonomous communities," he emphasized.