The 8 most important customs and traditions of Asturias

Asturias is a uniprovincial autonomous community, but at the same time it has both its own language and a set of of traditions, festivities and characteristic cultural dynamics that have been passed from generation to generation. generation.

Among the customs and traditions of Asturias, it is worth mentioning some of international fame, such as the Descent of the River Sella or the Cider Festival, as well as the anniversary celebrates every year in honor of its patron saint (the Virgin of Covadonga "La Santina") on Asturias Day every September 8, the Great Week of Gijón, the festival of San Mateo (Oviedo), etc.

In this article we will talk about the most popular customs and traditions of Asturias, explaining its fundamental characteristics.

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The most famous Asturian traditions, customs and festivities

These are some of the most characteristic aspects of Asturian culture in the form of festivals, traditional events and practices that have been passed down from generation to generation in Asturias.

1. International descent of the Sella

One of the main customs and traditions of Asturias is the International Descent of the Sella (“Les Piragües” in Asturian or bable), a traditional event in this autonomous community that has been recognized as a Festival of International Tourist Interest, being part of the most anticipated Asturian festivals of the year.

The well-known descent of the Sella River is a festival, held every year on the first Saturday after August 2, whose main event It is a canoeing race that consists of a 20 km route that runs from the Asturian town of Arriondas to Ribadesella. It should be noted that other races are also held in different categories (female, cadets, junior, etc.) whose route is approximately 1.5 to 3.5 km, and there are also several competition modalities (K!, K2, C1, C2, Kayak).

This event began in 1930, with only Asturians participating; however, in 1935 it began to gain greater popularity, with the first registrations of participants not Asturians, and it is in 1951 when it begins to gain international fame with the first registrations of participants Europeans. This event has only been canceled due to the Spanish Civil War and due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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2. Cider Festival

Among the customs and traditions of Asturias, it is worth highlighting the Nava Cider Festival, whose origin dates back to 1969, having become one of the most popular festivals in Asturias, and that is celebrated in summer (around the second weekend of July).

In this festival, which lasts several days, various events are held, such as a proclamation to kick off these festivities, performances folklore and music, cultural activities carried out around themes related to Asturias and, of course, the essence of the party, what consists of a traditional tasting of Asturian ciders, this being perhaps the most popular drink in this autonomous community.

It should also be noted that there are two cider contests: one in relation to the choice of the best cider Natural of the year made in Asturias and another in which the best cider pourer of the year is chosen.

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3. Asturias Day

A very important event that should be included among the main traditions and customs of Asturias, Asturias Day, It is the festivity that is celebrated every September 8, the festivity of its patron saint, the Virgin of Covadonga (La Santina), because the victory in Asturian territory is attributed to him, under the direction of Don Pelayo (first monarch of the kingdom of Asturias), against the Muslim invasion and whose image is found in a cave in Covadonga (Cangas de Onís).

On Asturias Day, multiple events and activities of a different nature are held, such as concerts, a parade of floats accompanied by bands of music, parade of Asturian bagpipes, craft fairs, book fair, sporting events and traditional Asturian games (bowling, frog game, etc.).

Both visitors and Asturians usually take advantage of this special day to taste the popular Asturian cider, as well as other typical products of the area such as its cheeses, the scorpionfish cake, the cachopo, the fabada, etc.

A curious fact is that this festival is celebrated every year in a different town throughout the Asturian territory.

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4. Saint Matthew

The most important event in the city of Oviedo is September 21, being the date on which the They celebrate the festival of San Mateo, which is why it is one of the most important customs and traditions of Asturias. marked; they are also some festivities that last for ten days around that key date.

However, the festivals of San Mateo, although they are the most popular festivals in Oviedo, are not the patron saints, but its patron saint is San Salvador and the celebration in his honor takes place on the 6th of August.

In these festivals, Oviedo residents and visitors usually enjoy various cultural events, such as musical concerts, as well as traditional gastronomic products of the area such as preñao bun or preñao bread (bollu preñáu), which is stuffed with chorizo. Fireworks displays that are launched from the winter park are also traditional at these festivals, gathering a large crowd of spectators.

5. The Balesquida

Among the most outstanding customs and traditions of Asturias, it is also worth mentioning La Balesquida, also known as Martes del Bollu or Martes de Campo, whose celebration takes place in the city of Oviedo the first Tuesday after the day of Pentecost (Christian festival of the fiftieth day of Easter time), being at the end of May or early June.

This festival, originally from the 13th century, is named after her (La Balesquida) in love for Doña Belesquida Giráldez and the donation she made to the tailors' guild in the town of Oviedo.

This party usually begins with the proclamation and then gives way to the procession of the Virgin of Hope that leaves from the Chapel of La Balesquida in the direction of the church of San Tirso. It should be noted that it is a tradition in this festival to taste preñao bun, accompanied by wine among the brothers. Both Oviedo residents and visitors can enjoy the gastronomic richness of the area.

6. Our Lady of Carmen and Carmine

Among the customs and traditions of Asturias are the festivals of Nuestra Señora del Carmen and Carmín, celebrated on the Monday following the day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (July 16) in Pola de Siero, the town to which a couple belonged that financed the construction of a hermitage that was dedicated to the Virgen del Carmen in 1695.

These festivities begin with a proclamation in the auditorium of the Asturian town, where the fair that takes place at these festivities is usually also installed. On the Monday in which Carmín is celebrated, a great pilgrimage is held with a parade accompanied by brass bands from 5 in the afternoon, concluding in a meadow (prau) where different clubs and groups of friends celebrate the festival enjoying food and drinks accompanied by music until nightfall, continuing with the verbena in Pola de Siero.

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7. Gijon's Big Week

Another of the customs and traditions of Asturias that should be mentioned is the Big Week that is celebrated in Gijón in honor of Our Lady of Begoña, its patron saint; starts between 8 and 10 days before August 15.

Various events are held at this party, such as concerts by great music stars, being the most popular of these parties and what most often attracts visitors, fireworks shows (on August 14) and various cultural activities such as fairs, theater performances, events for the little ones, etc.

The great day of the Great Week of Gijón is August 15, being the holiday in honor of the Assumption of the Virgin of Begoña, having that day various events among which the prima dance (a traditional Asturian dance) and the restallón stand out. The festival concludes with the celebration of a mass in the parish of Our Lady of Begoña.

8. Xiringüelu Pilgrimage

Nor could the Pilgrimage of Xiringüelu be missing from the customs and traditions of Asturias, which It is celebrated on the first or second Sunday of August in the Prau Salceu, next to the Nalón River., within the council of Pravia. This party had begun in the town of Cañedo, a small town; however, when its popularity increased, its celebration was moved to the Salceu. In these pilgrimages it is characteristic that some artisan booths are installed by the town's clubs where drinks and food are served throughout the day.

It should be noted that the Xiringüelu is known for being a traditional Asturian dance that is characterized by some quite moved steps, being usual to dance in pilgrimages along with the sound of Asturian bagpipes and drums. This traditional dance is practiced throughout the Principality of Asturias.