Is the Misteri d'Elx the Best Cultural Heritage?

The Misteri d'Elx is practically a religion for the people of Elche. This medieval-origin performance, a sung drama that narrates the Dormition, Assumption, and Coronation of the Virgin, has been nominated in the I +History Awards by Historia National Geographic magazine, in the category of Best Cultural Heritage.

The festivity is divided into two acts, the Vespra and the Festa, which are celebrated on August 14 and 15 respectively inside the Basilica of Santa María, making it the only performance in the world that takes place within a church.

Voting is open until October 10 and can be done through the website historia.nationalgeographic.com. The awards consist of 6 categories and the winners will be announced at the end of the year, in December.

Alongside other festivals and traditions such as the Carnival of Los Indianos in Santa Cruz de La Palma or Corpus Christi in Ponteareas, Pontevedra, these new awards aim to recognize and highlight the dissemination and promotion of history, heritage, and Spanish culture.

In the Best Cultural Heritage category, where Misteri d'Elx has its nomination, "the best manifestation or tradition, religious or pagan, open to a majority audience without age or condition bias, by definition popular," will be awarded according to the magazine itself. This means that both the deep-rooted nature of the festivity or tradition, as well as the values it conveys and its public following, will be taken into account.