In almost spring-like weather, the Pilgrimage of San Blas set off this morning from the church of Santiago Apóstol to the hermitage of the Saint, in the area of San Blas, in Santiago de la Ribera, where on arrival a huertana mass was celebrated, sung by the Santiago Apóstol rondalla and choir. The pilgrims and devotees of the patron saint of throat diseases were eagerly awaiting the arrival of San Blas, carried by the Brotherhood of Santiago and San Blas, and accompanied by the Mar Menor Choir and Dance group from San Javier, who added a Murcian accent to a pilgrimage declared of Regional Tourist Interest in 2004.
With an open-air programme, but still conditioned by the pandemic, today’s day reduced its usual programme of events and was completed with a giant paella served at around 14:00h among the pilgrims and visitors who filled the pine forest next to the chapel in the San Blas area. The programme of events will continue over the weekend and tomorrow Friday there will be a children’s afternoon in the park next to the hermitage with the event “En tu parque o en el mío”, organised by the Parks and Gardens Department, from 16.30h with the show “La magia del circo” (The magic of the circus).
On Saturday 5 February there will be a “Encuentro de Cuadrillas” from 12:00h and a visit with songs to the Saint at the chapel at 13:30h which will be used to pay tribute to Tomás, violinist and musician of the San Javier Choirs and Dances group who died in the last year, for his contribution to folklore in the municipality. The day will end with the tasting of a “caldo con pelotas” (soup with balls). On Sunday 6 February a mass will be held at 10 am in the chapel to start a new day of coexistence in the pine forest, with the migas (fried breadcrumbs) taking centre stage, this time with a tasting for those attending. Throughout the weekend, the typical San Blas stalls and fairground rides will be open to the public.
