Feast of the Humanitarians in San Martín de Aller
Come and discover the most typical festival of the Asturian autumn that is celebrated every 11th November: the Festival of the Humanitarians in San Martín de Aller. You will find a lot of joy, folklore and fun. Come and enjoy a different day!
What does the Festival of the Humanitarians in San Martín de Aller consist of?
The Fiesta de los Humanitarios in San Martín de Aller is a festival that takes place in the town of Moreda (Aller, Asturias), in honour of San Martín de Tours.
It is organised by the Sociedad Humanitarios de San Martín and was listed as a Festival of National Tourist Interest in 1985.
The festivity begins with a mass for the saint and the streets of Moreda are flooded with music, with the presentation of typical bagpipes. There is also a parade of giants, big-heads and floats.
How is this festival celebrated?
The day before (10 November), the customary proclamation is announced. To the sound of bagpipes, voladores and drums, the beginning of this great festival is announced early in the morning of 11 November. This is followed by the sung mass of St. Martin, a tradition accompanied by bagpipes. Visitors and locals attend, dressed in traditional Asturian costume.
This is followed by the auction of spelt bread or Puya'l Ramu (puja del ramo), previously blessed in the religious ceremony. This is followed by the traditional parade of floats, big-heads and giants through the streets of Moreda, accompanied by bagpipe bands and dance groups. The parade features groups of people known as zandas, who dress in the traditional costume of the land.
Food is a must in this great celebration, with a menu of typical Asturian gastronomy, to taste delicious dishes typical of the cultural idiosyncrasy of this region, such as the famous fabada asturiana, les casadielles, el panchón and la chocolatá.
The festival ends with a fireworks display and the performance of a dance, which represents a collective expression in which all those attending this great popular festival take part.
Origins of the celebration of the Fiesta de los Humanitarios in San Martín de Aller
The origins of the celebration of the Fiesta de los Humanitarios in San Martín de Aller date back to 1905, on the initiative of the Sociedad de Humanitarios de San Martín. This Society was in charge of helping the most needy people of the Concellos of Aller and Lena.
Curiosities of the Fiesta of the Humanitarians in San Martín de Aller
Know some curious and interesting facts about the Fiesta de los Humanitarios in San Martín de Aller:
- The Fiesta de los Humanitarios in San Martín de Aller is also known as Fiestas de San Martín, or Sanmartín, or Día de la Asturianía.
- The place chosen for the celebration of this popular festival is in the Concello de Aller, located in the central area of the town of Moreda.
What else can you see or do in the town if you go to Moreda?
These places of interest in Moreda are worth a visit:
- Castillete del Pozo San Antonio: located next to the Moreda cemetery. It is a metal construction built in 1954 and has been proposed for inclusion in the Asturias cultural heritage inventory.
- Church of San Martín: a religious building dedicated to San Martín de Tours. The old church was demolished in 1918-19, being reopened in 1946. It has two towers and a large clock.
- Mining Museum: located in El Entrego, 15 km from Moreda. It includes an exhibition showing the history of mining. It shows the interior of a full-scale mining operation. Ideal for visiting with children.
Gastronomy in Moreda and Aller
Enjoy these delicious dishes of Asturian gastronomy:
- Fabada Asturiana: emblematic dish of Asturias, prepared with chorizo, black pudding, bacon or pork belly and beans.
- Les Casadielles: a kind of sweet pastry, filled with walnuts, sugar and aniseed.
- Panchón: a typical Asturian dessert made with spelt flour, sugar and lard.
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