The municipality of Moclinejo is dressing up for a festival this Saturday to celebrate the sixth edition of its Verdiales Encounter, a cultural event aimed at preserving and promoting the roots of this Andalusian tradition. The event, supported by the Mancomunidad de Municipios de la Costa del Sol Axarquía and the Diputación de Málaga, has established itself as a significant date on the province's cultural calendar.
The vice-president of the Mancomunidad, Marilé Muñiz, and the mayor of Moclinejo, Antonio Muñoz, accompanied by the Councilor for Tourism, Pedro Blanco, and the Panda Mayor of Verdiales Amigos de Moclinejo, José Blanco, presented the initiative. Muñiz emphasized the importance of verdiales in municipalities like Moclinejo, describing this ancestral art as a Bien de Interés Cultural (Asset of Cultural Interest) by the Junta de Andalucía.
The encounter, whose name evokes the connection between intangible cultural heritage, popular traditions, and the agricultural richness of the region, seeks to highlight the identity markers of Axarquía. Mayor Muñoz recalled the municipality's inclusion in the Important System of World Agricultural Heritage for raisins from Axarquía and the Corazón Moscatel project.
Starting at six in the afternoon, attendees can enjoy the traditional 'choques de pandas' (panda clashes), flag dancing, and performances spread throughout the charming corners of the municipality, including the Antonio Muñoz Wine Cellar Museum. The day will begin with a reception at the Monument to the Fiestero, a tribute to those who have kept the tradition alive.
During an institutional ceremony, tribute will be paid to José Manuel Molina Gámez, known as ‘Pepe Molina’, and Miguel Torres Amores, ‘Miguel el Zorrito’, for their contribution to the preservation of the verdiales tradition.
The participating pandas will be Montes del Guadalmedina, Santo Pitar, Benagalbón, and Moclinejo (Montes style); Primera de Comares (Comares style); and Raíces Moras (Almogía style). The performances will begin in various parts of the town center and conclude in the Plaza de España. The mayor highlighted the significant presence of young people in many of the participating pandas as the best guarantee for the future of this cultural manifestation.
