Broken voices, hours of sleep and emotion overflow in Valencia on this second Sunday of May, the big day of its patron saint, the Mare de Déu dels Desemparats. The ‘Geperudeta’, as it is also known, has been shown to the citizens at the Descoberta, an event held at five in the morning attended by numerous Valencians and residents of other towns who, on pilgrimage, even walk to the Basilica, in the center of the city.
It is one of the ways in which the city of València experiences its patron saint’s big day this Sunday. The celebration of the Missa d’Infants, which this year celebrates the centenary, has continued with the Transfer, the most popular and emotional event: the Basilica opens its doors and it is the faithful who carry its pilgrim image, on their shoulders and in an always organized chaos, until the Cathedral of Valencia.
After the solemn mass presided over by the Archbishop of Valencia, Enrique Benavent, the event began after 10 am and brought together dozens of people in the square, as well as on balconies and terraces. The busiest has been the Casa Vestuario, from where local authorities usually enjoy the event. This year there was also a plenary session: the mayor of Valencia, María José Catalá, the president of the Generalitat Valenciana, Carlos Mazón and the president of the Corts Valencianes, Llanos Massó, were present, in addition to the two vice-presidents, Vicente Barrera and Susana Camarero, the Government delegate, Pilar Bernabé, and various councilors from all political groups. With the exception of 2023, during previous years, Mayor Joan Ribó always declined to participate in this religious event, taking advantage of the non-denominational nature of the institutions.
Catalá has pointed out that participating in these celebrations “is a matter of faith for many”, but for others “many goes further” because it is “a matter of Valencianness”. “La Mare de Déu is Valencian in vein and for Valencians it is untouchable,” he expressed.
For his part, the head of the Consell has declared that “I wanted to be, one more year, living it like another Valencian, with the special and extraordinary affection that is experienced. It is a great day, a very beautiful day and a day to live with that atmosphere of coexistence that we all like so much.”
The events continue at 2 p.m., when a mascletà will be fired in the Plaza de L’Ajuntament by the Aitana de Bélgida pyrotechnics, while at 5:30 p.m., the general procession will begin along the usual route: plaza de la Our Lady, Cavallers, Tossal, the Bosseria, Market, María Cristina, Sant Vicent Mártir, Reina, la Mar, les Avellanes, Palau y plaza de l’Almoina.
