Elx Mystery Play faces calls for female participation

The participation of women and girls in the Mystery Play of Elche is being framed as a matter of democratic justice and legal compliance. Proponents argue that including women is essential to align the tradition with the 1978 Spanish Constitution, which guarantees non-discrimination based on sex and equal access to all social spheres.

As a medieval religious and liturgical work, the Mystery Play has survived by adapting to historical changes in music, costume, and management. Advocates suggest that for the tradition to remain inclusive and representative of the entire community, it must evolve to meet 21st-century social realities and the requirements of Law 13/2005, which recognizes the festival as a symbol of identity for the people of Elche and the Valencian community.