by the grieving Apostles. August 15 is when the second act, known as La Festa ("The Feast") is staged. It focuses on the burial, Assumption and Coronation of the Virgin. It begins at 10 o'clock with "El Soterrar" ("The Interment"): this portion takes place in the streets outside the basilica, with a procession of the image of the dead Virgin, the actors, and bands playing songs of La Festa. Preparations In the weeks leading to the staging of the Misteri, several preparatory events occur. On August 6, in the Room of the Council, "la prova de veus" ("the test of voices") takes place, to select those who will sing in the Misteri. This shows that Elche's City Council, and not the Church, financially supports the play. At 6 o'clock in the evening of August 10, "La prova de l'àngel" ("the test of the angel") is conducted inside the basilica. This is when organizers identify children resistant to dizziness, who are thus fit to descend and ascend on the aerial stage devices. Extraordinary On 11–13 August, the so-called "Assajos generals" or extraordinary representations, take place. Antisemitism The play has been criticized for its viciously medieval portrayals of evil Jews, with critic David Nirenberg asking whether the sponsors ought to remove the racist material as the actors in the Oberammergau Passion Play have done, and pointing out that the play, which will be broadcast on Facebook for the first time in 2019, violates Facebook's hate-speech policy. See also Oberammergau Passion Play References Misteri d'Elx / Misterio de Elche. Consueta de 1709. Maricarmen Gómez & Francesc Massip. Tirant lo Blanch. Valencia. 2010 () External links Web del Patronato Nacional del Misteri d'Elx - Misterio de Elche La Tramoia Tribute to the "Mystery of Elche" by Jordi Savall and La Capella Reial de Catalunya UNESCO Intangible Heritage Site (in English) Misteri d´Elx - Historia y Representación - Elche Se Mueve Portal Temático de Elche (in spanish) Valencian culture Valencian Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity Spanish folk music Medieval drama Elche Bien de Interés Cultural landmarks in the Province of Alicante Christianity and antisemitism Plays set in the 1st century Plays based on the Bible