The Ascension Festival was celebrated from the 24th to the 28th of May this year since it is usually a variable date corresponding to the sixth Thursday after Easter Sunday.
The Ascension Festival, the city’s second-most important after the Apostle Santiago Festival. This festival, which lasts for a week approximately, is one of the city’s most appealing ones. This is due to its cultural and recreational events, as well as the participation of the city’s university students before their final exams.
In addition to cultural activities (concerts, theatre, passacaglias, etc), the year’s most characteristic and important cattle market is held, along with riding displays, in the Amio showground. During this festival, it is typical to go for a portion of “pulpo á feira” (Galician-style octopus) at the stands of the “pulpeiras”, which can be found in the Santa Susana oak grove at Alameda during these days.
Wednesday, May 24, at 12.00 palenque bombs announced the beginning of the festivities and at 12:30 hours the parade of the group of cabezudos (carnival figures with oversized heads) was held. At 22.00 hours, Praza da Quintana host several musical performances. There was also another concert of Carla Green & The Demons at 11:00 pm at Praza do Toural.
Thursday, May 25 (local holy day), the activities began with the Horse contest Ascensión 2017 , which took place in the National Market of Gando de Santiago (Amio showground). There were other contests regarding with the horse world and equestrian competitions. Horse lovers should not have missed this event. More musical performances on the main squares of the city where neighbors and visitors could enjoy some folk bands, cultural associtations and local Orchestra´s musical plays. At night, the attendees could have a nice time with the concert of Myles Sanko and Eladio and Los Seres Queridos at Quintana square. At 10:30 p.m. the Metropolis orchestra livened up the open-air dance in the Alameda park.
Friday, May 26, at 18.00 p.m. the Auditorium das Cancelas host the celebration of the festival Cancelas Fest in which the bands Isla Canela, Pirocatus, Inmates, Catro Ghatos and Mojo Experience participated. At 20.00 the Real Filharmonía de Galicia offered a concert in the Praza da Quintana and at the same time the 41st Trofeo da Chave Festas da Ascensión(a tradional Galician game) was held. At 10.30 p.m., the participants enjoyed dancing with the Costa Dorada orchestra and at 11.00 p.m. in Praza do Toural with the Cachas & Cousins concert.
Saturday, May 27, the 20th Festa for the Elders was held in Amio showground, where a popular lunch was shared among the visitors and then they could enjoy the performance of Salsaserena . The price of the ticket was 7 euros. In this day Corais na Rúa performance was also held from 17.00 on in some squares in Compostela. At 9.30 pm, the concert of Traslations Trio took place in Praza da Quintana, which was followed by the concert of Kiko Veneno, a popular Spanish singer. At 10:30 pm, the Los Españoles orchestra livened up the evening in open-air dance at the Alameda park and at 11:00 pm, the concert of Roberto Sobrado Group started at Praza do Toural.
Sunday, May 28, the concert of the Local Musical Band was held at 12.00 a.m.. At 5.30 pm, the youngest children could enjoy Maria Fumaça concert at Quintana square. At 8:00 pm, locals and visitors could have a good time with Hungarian dances of Gergelyes in the Praza do Toural (Toural square). http://www.maduixacreacions.com
As usual, visitors and pilgrims are welcome to Santiago de Compostela and many of the activities in the festival are thought to be enjoyed by them as well. If you have not arrived on time this year, maybe you are planning another camino for next year´s May, so it would be nice an ending like this, wouldn´t it?
Buen Camino, amigos!
Anxo Saco
Photo Source:
Photo 1 http://www.elcorreogallego.es
Photo 2 https://www.paxinasgalegas.es/fiestas/festa
Photo 4 http://www.elcorreogallego.es
Photo3 https://www.eltenedor.es/restaurant
Photo 5 http://www.maduixacreacions.com
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