On the afternoon of Thursday 12th, the Manuel España Theatre in Las Lagunas hosted a new event as part of the municipality’s Lent programme, aimed at looking beyond the Holy Week processions of the brotherhoods, confraternities and parish groups and highlighting the work they carry out throughout the year. This was the 1st Mijas Holy Week Brotherhoods Gathering, an event that brought together seven of Mijas' brotherhoods for the screening of the documentary ‘Semana Santa de Mijas: La Pasión que nos une’ (Mijas Holy Week: The Passion that Unites Us). Produced by Mijas Comunicación, the film reflects the religious, social, cultural, and economic importance of their work 365 days a year.

Presided over by the mayoress of Mijas, Ana Mata (PP), the gathering also featured the presentation of awards to members of each of these organisations, whom the Mijas Town Hall wished to honour for their work and commitment. “It is a source of pride to have all the brotherhoods gathered here. Each brotherhood represents a part of our history. Behind every processional standard, every image, every procession, there are people who dedicate their time, effort and affection to keeping our traditions alive”, said the mayoress.

Civil, religious and military authorities, representatives of the Municipal Council, and members of Mijas' social and neighbourhood fabric, as well as the parish priest of Mijas Pueblo, Hermán Marcel Lunar, and the Elder Brother ('Hermano Mayor') of the La Paloma brotherhood of Málaga, Diego Hermoso, accompanied the honourees at this inaugural gathering, which was also enlivened by the Las Lagunas Musical Group, which performed five processional marches at the start and the national anthem at the close.

 

The mayoress also wished to remember “tthe many people who are no longer with us today but who nurtured and maintained these traditions, passing on everything that we must not lose. We, the younger generation, have a responsibility to continue upholding and transmitting this legacy”. Furthermore, she stated that “it is also an opportunity to strengthen ties and share experiences, ideas and projects that allow our traditions to continue growing and adapting to the times without ever losing their identity. Traditions are not static; they are living things that evolve alongside the people who maintain them”, remarked Mata.

Awards

Another key moment of the afternoon, alongside the documentary screening, was the presentation of awards to individuals closely linked to each of the town's brotherhoods, confraternities, and parish groups for their dedication, example, and passion over the years. To present the awards, the elder brothers and sisters of these organisations joined the mayoress on stage. Among them was Bosco Rivas, from the brotherhood of 'Jesús Vivo', 'Nuestra Señora de la Paz' and 'Nuestra Señora de Piedad', who stated that “Carmen and Pepe [the honourees from his brotherhood] are role models. What we have today is the result of their work, and when the Town Hall asked me for two names, theirs were the first that came to mind. Pepe is humble, kind-hearted and always lends a hand wherever needed. Carmen always works behind the scenes, and we know that whatever she contributes, she does so from the heart”.

The honourees were also moved and grateful. Francisco Núñez remarked that upon taking to the stage, “I felt a lump in my throat because, in that moment, you remember so many people who are no longer with us but who are guiding us from wherever they may be. Furthermore, we want to give the youth something to reflect upon so that Mijas remains Mijas. That is why I say: how lucky we are to live in Mijas. It is a wonderful town and we must look after it”. Another person recognised for her work was Carmen Morales, who noted that “it has been a very beautiful tribute” and gave her “thanks to the Town Hall, as I have never received recognition for anything before".

With this new event, Mijas demonstrates that Holy Week is not just a date on the calendar, but the heart of a community that recognises itself in its history and moves united towards the future.

 

People recognised:

• Brotherhood of Jesús Vivo, Nuestra Señora de la Paz and Nuestra Señora de la Piedad: Mª Carmen Morales and José Gómez.
• Santa Teresa Parish Association: Fátima Marín Pérez and Encarnación Martínez Rodríguez.
• Parish Group of Nuestro Padre Jesús de Medinaceli: Cristóbal Medina Medina and Isabel Moya García.
• Parish Group of Santo Entierro de Cristo y Ánimas: Antonio Alarcón Leiva and Cristóbal Alarcón Leiva.
• Parish Group of Santísimo Cristo de la Columna, Ntra. Sra. De los Remedios and San Pedro Apóstol: Francisco Núñez Cuevas and Cristóbal Fernández Moreno.
• Pontifical, Royal and Venerable Dominican Archconfraternity of Dulce Nombre de Jesús Nazareno, María Santísima de los Dolores, Ntra. Sra. Del Rosario, San Juan Bautista and Santo Domingo de Guzmán: Juan Jesús Alarcón Fernández and Rosa María Jaime Moreno.
• Royal and Venerable Brotherhood of the Santísimo Cristo de la Paz, María Santísima de la Soledad and San Juan Evangelista: Joaquín Marín Núñez and María Jesús Torres Quero.

The representatives and leaders of each religious entity were responsible for presenting these well-deserved honorary diplomas. Thus, in addition to Bosco Rivas, Belén Guerra, president of the Santa Teresa Parish Association; Felicidad Segurado, general warden ('Albacea') of the Parish Group of Nuestro Padre Jesús de Medinaceli; and Peña Leiva, elder sister of the Santo Entierro, took to the stage to accompany the award winners. Likewise, Josefa Quero, head of the Cristo de la Columna; Lázaro Albero Moreno, elder brother of the Archconfraternity of the Dulce Nombre; and Jorge Leal, elder brother of the Cristo de la Paz, actively participated in the ceremony, supporting the honoured residents.

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