The festivities are packed with concerts, pilgrimages and open-air dances, children's games, comedy, folklore, bullfights, fireworks, and sporting competitions. Although the official program of events usually runs from September 15th to 21st, the celebrations continue for several days and begin earlier. And while the main events are concentrated in the city's historic center, the joy and enthusiasm spread to every corner of Oviedo.
In the 80s , and after a gradual evolution of secular events in the development of the festival, the mold of the San Mateo that we know today was created, by moving part of the festivities to the street so that the public could enjoy the outdoors continuously.
Today, the squares of the old town are being prepared to host the now-famous beach bars , and musical performances and street theater are being promoted. The terraces and booths create a lively atmosphere and also provide a place for the tireless revelers of San Mateo to recharge. In the city center, and especially in its historic district, San Mateo becomes a festival to be enjoyed and experienced on foot . The vibrant scene is in the streets, alive both day and night around the beach bars and performances.
Musical performances are perhaps the main attraction, taking place in venues that cater to diverse tastes. Concerts are held in Plaza del Paraguas and Plaza de Feijoó , while in Plaza de la Catedral , with free admission, jazz, flamenco, folk, and Cuban music, along with some of the most prominent artists on the Spanish music scene, delight all those who gather nearby. It's a great opportunity to enjoy a drink while listening to live music.
One of the most important days of the San Mateo festival is America Day in Asturias . On September 19th, Asturian emigrants are honored with a spectacular celebration. The traditional parade is a grand affair, drawing huge crowds. The morning is filled with music and color, featuring folk groups and brass bands from across the region. In the afternoon, a cavalcade overflowing with floats and folklore from Cuba, Colombia, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, and other countries winds its way through the city's main streets. The sidewalks and balconies are packed with spectators, and the parade leaves a trail of confetti and streamers in its wake.
The popular "haigas" are a staple of this parade every year : ostentatious, vintage cars that cruise the streets of Oviedo. These are prototypes like the ones Asturian emigrants used to buy to flaunt their newfound wealth. When the salesman asked, "What kind of car do you want?", the "Indiano"—according to legend—would reply, "The biggest one there is."
America Day in Asturias has been celebrated since 1950 and is a festival declared of National Tourist Interest . In addition to floats, folk groups, and luxury cars, people from all over the Americas flock to Oviedo on this day. Representatives and delegations from American countries are always present in the official box.
Day of America in Asturias
Few parades in the world pay tribute to emigration and immigration; that round trip, to… Read more
On September 21st, the main day of the San Mateo festival , everyone traditionally eats outdoors: in parks, fields, and gardens. They eat "bollu preñau," a very Asturian treat that is simply bread filled with chorizo. When cooked together, the chorizo infuses the bread with its fat. The bollu is washed down with a bottle of wine and enjoyed in the company of friends and family. Also traditional on this day are "les paxarines," figures made of flour, egg yolk, and saffron that, according to legend, protect houses from storms.
On this day, the official closing of the festivities, the fireworks display takes place . It's a truly spectacular event. This celebration was first held in 1920. It takes place in the Winter Park and is witnessed every year by more than 100.000 spectators.
Text: © Ramón Molleda for asturias.com
