Tarazona's Holy Week aims to be a Festival of National Tourist Interest

• The mayor of the city has announced that work has begun to obtain this designation.
• Tourism in Tarazona during these dates increased by 38% compared to 2022

March 6, 2024.– The countdown has begun for the celebration of Holy Week in Turiaón, declared a Festival of Regional Tourist Interest, which every year combines tradition, the religious fervour of 1,000 members of the brotherhood and the sound of the 400 instruments that accompany them, including bugles, drums, kettledrums, bass drums and rattles.

The aim of the municipal government team is to work to ensure that Tarazona's Holy Week is declared a Festival of National Tourist Interest. This was announced on Wednesday by the city's mayor, Tono Jaray, at the press conference for the presentation of the main events. "The intention of all of us here is to work immediately to achieve this," he said. Jaray stressed that it is a festival that goes far beyond religious fervour and beliefs, "it is about the joint work and cooperation of different levels of the city" to fill the streets with activity, tourism and economy.

In this regard, the Councillor for Tourism, Pablo Escribano, has indicated that Tarazona received more than 1,800 visitors in 2023, 38% more than in 2022 during these dates. “They come from neighbouring communities such as Navarra, Castilla y León or La Rioja, but also from more distant ones such as the Basque Country, Madrid, the Valencian Community or Catalonia,” he said. The councillor also indicated the increase in the presence of foreign tourists from countries such as the United Kingdom, France and the Netherlands.

"I think it is necessary and we meet many of the requirements to be a Festival of National Tourist Interest and that is reflected in the data, our tourist and heritage potential which make a perfect combination to spend a few days here, get to know Holy Week and our appeal," stressed Escribano.

Fifty events

For this Holy Week, more than fifty events and activities have been prepared that will allow members of the town and visitors to deepen their spiritual connection and participate in the traditions that define Holy Week. The events will start on March 15 with the acts of the proclamation that will be given by the bishop of Tarazona, Monsignor Vicente Rebollo.

This year, the image on the poster is of the Brotherhood of the Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, whose history dates back to 1940. The elder brother of the organising brotherhood, José Luis Lasheras, explained that the poster was made by the graphic designer Diego Villalba with the aim of “changing the aesthetics a little”. Lasheras also recalled the main events that are going to take place and called for participation, “especially from young people to participate in the individual events and the Coordinating Board”.

For his part, the diocesan Councillor of the Brotherhoods, Miguel Antonio Franco, has stressed the importance of the spiritual aspect of these dates. “Everyone knows that beyond the economic benefit, the spiritual dimension is very important. The brothers are a bridge between God and men. Holy Week in Turiason brings joy and hope to families, brothers, neighbours and the people who visit us.”

The president of the Coordinator, Inmaculada Soria, has welcomed the initiative of the City Council for the declaration of Holy Week. “All the efforts of the brotherhoods and the Coordinator will be rewarded because it will be exposed to more people, and many more will come to discover the richness of Tarazona,” said Soria. She has taken the opportunity to invite everyone to participate in the events and form part of the brotherhoods.

Diffusion

To promote Holy Week, 500 posters, 1,500 programmes and the same number of leaflets have been published, which can be collected at the Tarazona Tourist Office and at the city's hotels.

The brochure and the events can also be consulted online at Tarazona City Council website and on their social networks.