The Plenary Hall of the Elche City Council hosted this Wednesday the presentation of the announcement poster for the August 2026 Festivals. The artwork is by artist Fran Segura, a higher technician in Plastic Arts and Design specializing in Artistic Ceramics, with a recognized career in sacred art, poster design, and artistic ceramics.
The composition, framed in the Art Nouveau style of the early 20th century, has the Virgin Mary, the patron saint of Elche, as its undisputed protagonist. The poster brings together various representative elements of the festivals, such as the Virgin's Palm Tree, the Misteri d’Elx, the Battle of Flowers, the Moors and Christians festivities, and the Pobladores.
The mayor of Elche, Pablo Ruz, congratulated the artist and emphasized the Virgin's importance to the town. He also highlighted that this is the first poster for the patronal festivals to combine ceramics with acrylic.
The poster incorporates ceramics as a compositional element for the first time, featuring four stars inspired by the crown of the Virgin of the Assumption. According to the artist, Fran Segura, the Virgin Mary had to be the protagonist, as the festivals are the greatest offering the people of Elche can make to their patron saint. The focus on the Virgin's face is considered the prelude and culmination of the festival.
The four six-pointed stars represent the Pomegranate of the Misteri d’Elx, the Queens and Ladies in the Battle of Flowers, the Moors and Christians festivities, and the Pobladores. The blue background refers to the Virgin's royalty, while the yellow inscription evokes the light and gunpowder of the Nit de l’Albà and the Virgin's Palm Tree.
The mayor also highlighted Fran Segura's connection to Elche, noting his university studies at the Miguel Hernández University and his knowledge of local celebrations.
