Quartell revives its traditional Xopà water festival for Quintos 2026
In Quartell, a municipality in the Camp de Morvedre district, hundreds of residents and visitors took part this Wednesday in the Xopà (traditional water festival), the highlight of the Quintos day during the town's patron saint festivities.
The day, dedicated to young people turning 18 this year, started in the morning with marching bands, firecrackers and the traditional quintos lunch. The word "quintos" comes from young men who, on reaching adulthood, used to be drafted into Spain's mandatory military service; since that requirement ended, the tradition continues as a coming-of-age rite.
In the afternoon came the most anticipated moment: the Xopà, which flooded streets and squares with water in a scene that has become a trademark of Quartell's festivities, with children, young people, whole families and grandparents sharing the soaking with their grandchildren. The party continued with the Montesol orchestra, which drew crowds including residents of the village -home to just 1,810 people, according to the census- and visitors from other towns in Camp de Morvedre, l'Horta and la Plana.
The day also honoured those marking 25 or 50 years since becoming "festers" (festival organisers). The festive programme continues with a street bull run, a paella contest, a costume parade and bullfighting events, closing on Sunday with religious ceremonies for Saint Anne and a night-time mascletà (fireworks display).
According to elperiodicodeaqui.com, with additional data from Wikipedia.