Valencian Community October 9th commemorations

The Valencian Community is organizing various commemorations for the October 9th holiday, which marks the 750th anniversary of the death of King Jaume I. Planned activities include a civic procession featuring the king’s sword, a large security deployment of 1,300 National Police officers, and a demonstration by the Comissió 9 d'Octubre under the slogan “Guanyem el país” to advocate for linguistic rights, public education, and regional autonomy.

Cultural programming includes the Prismática Dance Festival in Ontinyent, concerts by the Orquestra de València and Capella de Ministrers, and the presentation of the Valencian Language Use Awards. Under the theme ‘Un llegat infinit’ (An infinite legacy), the celebrations aim to explore the monarch's historical influence on the region's identity. This includes an academic congress hosted by the University of Valencia from October 5 to 7, where researchers will analyze the 13th-century kingdom, its social structures, and historical representations, including the roles of women and the perspectives of conquered populations.

Institutional leaders, including the President of the Generalitat and the President of the Diputació de València, have presented the commemorative programming. However, some major events, such as the historical reenactment of Jaume I’s entry into Valencia and the Torneig del Rei, have been postponed due to weather alerts and heavy rainfall to ensure public safety. Vicent Mompó, president of the Diputació de València, has used the occasion to call for improved regional infrastructure and fair financing.