Clúster

• The carnivals of eastern Ourense seek state recognition for their cultural value and their roots in Galician tradition.
• Galician Tourism will support the declaration of a festival of national tourist interest for the three festivities.

The Entroidos of Viana do Bolo, Vilariño de Conso and Manzaneda have taken another step on their path to national recognition. In an event held in Viana do Bolo, it was announced that the necessary procedures will begin for these festivities to be declared a Festival of National Tourist Interest, thus joining other Galician celebrations that have achieved this distinction. There, the director of Tourism of Galicia, Xosé Merelles, announced the organization’s support in the necessary procedures for its official declaration.

These three carnivals already have the regional recognition of Festival of Tourist Interest of Galicia, a title that Viana do Bolo has held since 1999, Manzaneda since 2008 and Vilariño de Conso since 2016. Now, they aspire to a higher level within the benchmark festivities in Spain.

The Entroidos from eastern Ourense stand out for their popular roots and their distinctive elements. Among them, the folións or fulións, groups of about 30 people who walk the streets and villages to the rhythm of drums and farming tools. Added to this are other customs such as flour battles (fariñadas), the Thursdays of comadres and compadres and the lardeiro or lardeira, a symbolic figure that presides over the celebration.

The festivities begin between February 15 and 20 and last until March 5, filling the region with music, color and a unique atmosphere that attracts more visitors every year and reinforces the cultural identity of the area.

These traditions place Ourense as the province with the largest number of recognized carnivals. Seven of the eleven Entroidos declared Festival of Tourist Interest in Galicia belong to this area, with Xinzo de Limia already recognized internationally and Verín with the distinction of national interest. The state recognition of the Entroidos of Viana do Bolo, Vilariño de Conso and Manzaneda would provide a new boost to these celebrations, ensuring their projection and enhancement within the Spanish festive heritage.