Colors of Oviedo - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Oviedo is a city of unique traditions which will be of great interest to every tourist and city guest. Annually Oviedo witnesses a bright remarkable fest being the Festival of San Mateo (Saint Matthew) which is accompanied with bright folks’ shows and performances. The festival is held in the second part of September. Within seven days of the fest the streets of the city are filled with music and bright and exciting events lasting from morning till night.

The main part of the events and performances takes place in the historical center of the city. Streets invite the participants and guests of the festival to visit one of the numerous festive cafés. The Cathedral Square invites tourists and city residents to explore a great 24/7 market. Apart from astonishing treats the market offers a huge variety of original souvenirs. The most popular ones are considered to be dough figures painted in bright orange color. By an old good tradition during the festival these figures are presented to near and dear ones as the figures are believed to give the people a kind of protection from woes and miseries.

The climax of the festival falls on the 21st of September. This day is commonly spent with a family in the open air. Setting off to the picnic local people back up their leisure with plenty of festive treat named bollu preñao being fresh bread with bacon and smoked sausages. The festival is impossible to imagine without new Spanish wine which is the main drink of the holiday. After the open air leisure people usually set off to the Winter Park where a grand pyrotechnic show takes place at nightfall. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Considering handicraft traditions of this city, lace making is best worth mentioning. Local people have been engaged in this craft for many centuries. There are genuine masters of lace making who have inherited the skills and traditions of the craft from their ancestors. The Festival of Lace takes place in June during which the craftsmen of lace making perform their masterpieces. Festival visitors may not only explore the exhibitions of unique handmade clothes but to buy some fancy things and accessories. It should be noted that a lace kerchief as many centuries ago so now is an essential attribute of the folks costume.

During the festival more than a thousand of stores and shops are operating in the city, each of them offering the tourists and city residents unique goods. Overlays and table covers, kerchiefs and neckwear of ultimate beauty, belts of dainty work and different house adornments are the main souvenirs hunted by the thousands of guests visiting Oviedo each year.

Another interesting holiday in Oviedo takes place on the fortieth day after Easter (Pascua) and is known as Feria de La Ascensión. The tradition of this celebration originated back in the 16th century as a livestock fair. Today, the event involves not only a farm fair but also a craft one, and all this is accompanied by live music performances. Be sure to try one of the traditional local dishes, which are widely represented by “Menestra de tempo” (vegetable stew), “Carne gobernada” (beef stew), “Tocino de cielo” (egg yolk dessert), and many others. “Bollos preñaos” is rightly considered the most delicious one. This is how they call sausage rolls that taste strikingly different from typical hot dogs.

A distinctive Asturian holiday is the Fiesta de la Vendimia del Vino de Calidad de Cangas. It is dedicated to wine-making traditions, which have their roots in the Middle Ages. The holiday marks the end of the harvest and is held in early October. At this time, a farm fair opens in the central streets of Cangas del Narcea, a municipality located in the vicinity of Oviedo. Here you can taste local wines and snacks to them, and then buy your favorite ones. Apart from the farmers' fair, the event involves a craft market, a rich music program, and themed tours of the Museo del Vino de Cangas del Narcea where tourists can learn all about winemaking in the region.

September 19th is a traditional holiday for celebrating the Día de América en Asturias. The event is dedicated to Asturians who went to work in America and could return to their families only in summer. Every year, about two thousand people witness the colorful carnival, and political figures of Asturias take part in the march too. Besides the parade, visitors will enjoy a rich music program and street parties. Don't limit your imagination and change into whatever you want. If you bring a costume along during the carnival celebration, you can become a direct participant, not just a spectator.