The Holy Face, the Relic Turned into a Tile Seeking BIC Status

For over three decades, the Alicante-based company Gibeller has been distributing the Holy Face tile. During each pilgrimage, their employees, family members, collaborators, and friends voluntarily gather at their headquarters in the village roundabout to present and gift the ceramic adorned with an illustration of the Holy Canvas.

This initiative originated from the devotion of Luis Torregrosa, the driving force behind Gibeller. His name is proudly carried on by Mayte Torregrosa, his daughter, who leads the Communication Department of this century-old company that continues to uphold tradition and the emblems of its city. "The root of all this is the social good for the pilgrim," she states.

Through the distribution of this tile, Gibeller aims to preserve tradition. "We do not want to lose our essence," says Torregrosa, emphasizing their role as a reference for the people of Alicante through this entirely altruistic initiative, benefiting the manufacturer, distributors, and primarily the artist. "All for devotion and passion," she adds.

All these elements have made Gibeller a primary source in the Generalitat's research to declare the Holy Face pilgrimage in Alicante as a Cultural Interest Asset (BIC). The Ministry of Culture, responsible for this task, has reached out to conduct interviews and invite the century-old company to join the working groups and documentation process.

In the days leading up to the pilgrimage, the regional entity has been seen in various locations in the village. This was the case on Monday when President Carlos Mazón attended the shrine test and revealed the presence of two commission members, who later interviewed dancer Pepe Espadero in a nearby bar.

The tile distributed by Gibeller, free of charge and with 15,000 units, features an illustration by Carolina Díaz de Argandoña Araujo. Its design was chosen by an expert jury, whose members will also attend the distribution. The thrill of being featured through their art is the greatest reward, as has been the case for all artists participating in this annual competition.

On the day of the pilgrimage, the ceramic company also involves the artist. They invite her to participate in the tile distribution to experience firsthand the fervor and devotion felt by the people of Alicante towards the Holy Face.

Additionally, to witness how a total of 15,000 people take their artwork home, intending to use it in various ways. This is the magic of the Gibeller Holy Face tile, which serves a purpose in every home and business. Even the company's own interior designers incorporate them into their designs, surprising both colleagues and clients.

The Alicante Bonfires have also surprised Mayte Torregrosa, seeing how the entire collection of Gibeller Holy Face tiles has been used to create the entrance of a barraca and the decoration of a bonfire. "They scanned them all," she notes, highlighting the ephemeral nature of the city's official festivities.

Also noteworthy is the Santa Bar, the gastropub by Dani Frías in the village, where they serve bread with oil on these tiles; the Nautical Club of El Campello, where they also use them as tableware during their gastronomic week; and the vermouth bar El Sorbo, where they are part of the decor, just as they are on the facades of houses on Tabarca Island - alongside iconic restaurants like Gloria - or in the Holy Face itself. Not to mention the hundreds of barbecues and tables in homes that feature these ceramics.

Gibeller will distribute the Holy Face tiles this Thursday, May 1st, in celebration of the pre-pilgrimage. The century-old company's volunteers - consisting of employees, family, friends, collaborators, jury members, and the artist - will begin the distribution around 9 a.m.

In the days leading up, Gibeller volunteers will transport the six pallets containing the 15,000 tiles to the entrance, as well as set up several tents for shade and a large table to place the ceramics. They are all responsible for safeguarding this tradition, which will also be included in the declaration of the Holy Face as a Cultural Interest Asset, following the steps and continuing the sentiment of Luis Torregrosa.