Festivals in Astorga

The Astures y Romanos

People in Spain have demonstrated that they know how to have fun together outside and appear to create as many things to celebrate as possible to keep in practice.  Of course, they have about ten times as long a history as the US where I come from, and many of these fiestas have roots in history.

For example, I'm going to share a fiesta in this blog, Astures Y Romanos (Asturians and Romans) which happens in July.  This fiesta is Astorga specific and we experienced it for the first time this past summer.   These celebrations are week-long and have things going on almost around the clock.

I was having too much fun to have gotten many good photos and the music and action is a vital part of the action so I will ask that you click on the links I provide and view short videos of the events.

Astures Y Romanos celebrates the years that the Romans occupied this area and the conflict with the Asturians who were here before.  It seems that the whole town is on one side or the other, and dressed to show their allegiance.  Two thousand years ago the Romanos were the winners, but we understand that the last several years the Astures have won the games for the week.  This video produced by the local government is a lot more combat intensive than was our experience, but it does show the splendor of the traditional clothing almost everyone wears, the buildings they build in the park below the Roman Wall that is divided into two sections, one for Romans and the other for the Asturians. One can walk through and see construction details, family life, hear music, and even see participants cooking food.  No pizza delivery back then!


These fiestas or festivals make sure life is never boring around here!

The entrance of the Romans

The entrance of the Asturians

One event that sticks in our minds was held at the Plaza de Torro (bullfighting rink) and was called Circo or Circus.  While a huge crowd watches and cheers for their team various contests are performed - from Chariot racing to running a slippery course to walking the plank carrying watermelons.  One of the things that this activity, as well as others all over the town displayed, was gender equality.  It appears that all the teams whether calling for feats of great strength or finese were made up of an equal number of men and women.  And there are events for kids of all ages too. This one minute video gives you an idea of the crazy things the teams are called upon to do at the Circo.

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The Other Jew of The Day is Moses de León (c. 1240 – 1305), known in Hebrew as Moshe ben Shem-Tov (משה בן שם-טוב די-ליאון), was a Spanish rabbi and Kabbalist who is considered the composer or redactor of the Zohar. It is a matter of controversy if the Zohar is his own work, or if he took traditions going back to Rabbi Shimon bar Yohai and committed them to writing. His other works include Sefer ha-Rimon, written in Hebrew. (from Wikipedia)