Andaluces
Elegance, Tradition, and a Smuggling Soul Since 1923
Founded in 1923 by Antonio Ibáñez Abad, the Andaluces Comparsa has become one of the largest and most emblematic groups of the Christian faction in Villena’s Moors and Christians Festival. With more than 1,300 active members, the comparsa is renowned for its firm, confident marching, impeccable aesthetics, and central role in some of the festival’s most beloved events.
An Unmistakable Image
The official Andaluces costume is one of the most recognizable and celebrated in the entire festival. Crafted in red and black velvet, with touches of blue satin and intricate embroidered details, it exudes elegance, gallantry, and visual impact.
Every parade featuring the Andaluces is a display of precision, discipline, and classic style qualities that consistently earn them admiration from the crowds. Their musical accompaniment is equally distinct, highlighted by the pasodoble “75 Aniversario de los Andaluces“, a commemorative piece that has become a staple in their processions.
“El Contrabando” (Smuggling): Soul and Identity
If there is one event that defines the Andaluces, it is unquestionably the Contrabando (“Smuggling”), celebrated every September 7th.
This theatrical performance blends humour, tension, and folklore in a symbolic confrontation between smugglers and law enforcement. It is a Villena original: festive, irreverent, and deeply rooted in local tradition.
The Andaluces have been linked to this event from the very beginning so much so that they are popularly referred to as the “Comparsa de los Contrabandistas” (Smugglers’ Comparsa). Far from being a side event, the Contrabando has become one of the most anticipated and defining spectacles of the festival, celebrated for its creativity, spontaneity, and communal spirit.
A Comparsa that leaves its mark
To parade with the Andaluces is to walk in the footsteps of a century-old legacy, where every detail from uniform to music carries meaning.
What sets them apart is their ability to reinvent themselves without ever losing their identity. Their loyalty to tradition, their close bond with the people of Villena, and their undying commitment to Contrabando have solidified their role as a cornerstone of the Moors and Christians Festival.