9 October, a celebration that also speaks of unity

Alicante and its province marked 9 October with activities linked to tradition and culture. The importance of Valencian roots was also highlighted publicly. The information available does not make it possible to specify the scope of each event, but the shared meaning of the day is clear: celebrating a shared identity.

Traditions are not museum pieces or obligations imposed on anyone. They are an inheritance that each generation can learn about, care for and pass on, including within families. In an era of rapid change, that continuity offers a sense of direction and helps young people understand that they are part of a history that did not begin with them. Local culture, when experienced naturally, strengthens bonds without demanding uniformity.

There is also a civic reason. Shared celebrations remind us that living together requires common spaces and respect for the institutions that represent the community. Not everyone feels the same way about identity, but significant dates can be an opportunity to meet, take part and recognise what unites us, rather than turning every difference into a dividing line.

There is also a straightforward, if important, responsibility: preserving what deserves to be passed on requires involvement. It is not enough to invoke our roots in a speech; participation, care and a willingness to bring culture closer to those who may not know it are needed. That is a task for institutions, but also for associations, families and citizens.

It is legitimate for some people to prefer a celebration less focused on tradition, or to express reservations about the meaning attributed to the date. That objection should be heard without disparagement. That is precisely why the best defence of a shared celebration is for it to be open and respectful: rooted, yes, but able to include those who experience it in different ways.