1,200 years of Murcia: Abderramán II, the city's founder, is the star of the show this coming January
The 1,200th anniversary will celebrated next year in Murcia by dedicating each month to one of the 12 centuries of the city’s history
Next year, the city of Murcia will celebrate 12 centuries of existence since it was founded on a small elevated area on the banks of the Segura River by the Andalusian emir Abderramán II in 825.Originally named Madina Mursiya, the city of Murcia has undergone a series of changes over the years and that is what the local government wishes to focus upon as they ready themselves for the upcoming historic anniversary.
The city hall will focus upon unique opportunities to honour and tell of the history of the capital of the Segura region and its roots and traditions in this year’s celebrations.
The city has also looked to involve neighbouring towns through the ‘Murcia Opina’, which is a participation process in which groups from the city and surrounding areas raise proposals for what should be done in 2025, and how the city could achieve a better future through new initiatives.
The aim of the idea is to involve many people in the future of a city with has enjoyed a long and significant past. A few days ago, in the Palmeral de Santiago and Zaraiche, the last of the 14 meetings of the Murcia Opina was held for the months of October and November, with more than 400 attendees and 500 proposals.
Furthermore, the celebrations and plans for the anniversary go beyond the region of Murcia. Madrid will host a major presentation of ‘Murcia 1200’ in the days leading up to the FITUR tourism convention, in which people will be encouraged to visit and learn about the city of Murcia.
This event in Madrid will serve as a presentation of the anniversary, and the catalyst for a campaign that will be carried out throughout the national territory to promote the great city of Murcia and all that it has to offer.
Moreover, to take advantage of the fact that there are 12 centuries of history in Murcia and 12 months in the year, the historical journey that the government wishes to take the people of the region on will be divided into four major periods of three months, where each month will cover a century in the history of Murcia.
The first quarter will have as its main theme ‘The founding of Madina Mursiya’. In January 2025, the figure of Abderraman II will be honoured and the symbol chosen for that month will be the Contraparada, the basis of the traditional irrigation system of the Huerta de Murcia since Moorish times.
The following month it will be the turn of Fathuna and the network of irrigation ditches in the Huerta de Murcia that will take centre stage in the story to be told by the government.
Fauthuna was a Murcian writer and historian who wrote the ‘Book on the singing slaves of al-Andalus’, emulating the ‘Book of songs’ by Abul-Faraj al-Isfahani.
The month of March will be dedicated to Ibn Tahir and the Arab wall. Muhammad Ibn Tahir founded the kingdom of Murcia, in the ancient cora or province of Tudmir, after the fall of the Caliphate in 1031.
The following months will continue to track the history of Murcia and tell of the story of the city. The city council will also continue to work to involve people in the initiative to work for a better and more prosperous future for those of the region.
For more information, news and what's on in your area do not forget to visit our homepage at Murcia Today
Images: Museo de la Ciudad / Ayuntamiento de Murcia
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