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During the last two weeks of September, Cartagena is completely captivated by the festival of Cartagena and Romans. This grand retrospective of the city's distant past is one of the most important festivities in the province of Murcia. During those weeks, the streets of the port city are dominated by Romans and Cartagenais who march, parade and recall important historical events from before the Christian era in full regalia. It becomes even more spectacular when the violent confrontations between the Roman army and the people of Cartagena are recreated as faithfully as possible.
These were turbulent times over 200 BC. The so-called Second Punic War undermined the authority of the mighty Roman Empire. Rome was tottering. That is the background against which the festivities in Cartagena take place. The highlights are traditionally at the end of the festive weeks. Various reenactments attract audiences from far and wide. It starts with a naval battle in the Bay of Cartagena. Followed by the bloody battle between the two armies, which marked a turning point in the fortunes of Cartagena. The spectacular mock battles are accompanied by much noise and fire. The final highlight of the festive weeks is the colourful victory parade.
But before the apotheosis heralds the end of the festivities, much has already happened that makes many other festivals in the region pale in comparison. From the parade through the city on the first day, there are many other melodramatic reenactments of the past. In recent years, these imitations are no longer performed only by adults. Children also play an increasingly important role in them. Other regularly recurring activities include a motorcycle rally, historical market, lots of live music and parades.
Despite the enormous appeal and the grand design of the Cartagena and Roman festivities, it is a relatively young phenomenon. The first edition (then much smaller) was only held in 1990. Most local festivals in the provinces of Alicante and Murcia, which relate to a historical past, date back much further. The main reason for the late start in Cartagena is a tragic event in 1972, when 10 people died during a maritime festival in which a boat sank. As a result of that sad event, popular festivals were considered inappropriate for a long time.
