"La Benéfica" is more than a building: it's a collective dream that has taken root in the Asturian landscape, shaping a space where art, community, and territory converge . Located in the municipality of Piloña (Asturias)—specifically in the town of L'Infiestu—this initiative aims to reclaim an old theater and transform it into a cultural and social hub in a rural setting.
If we look back at the intentions expressed by the project, we see that its aim is twofold: on the one hand, the recovery of the architectural and symbolic heritage; on the other, the revitalization of the council community , with an intergenerational dialogue, between the traditional and the contemporary.
At the forefront, along with other driving forces, is Rodrigo Cuevas : a musician and champion of Asturian tradition, winner of the 2023 National Prize for Contemporary Music for his unique blend of folklore and contemporary popular music. La Benéfica is, within its sphere of influence, more than just a theater: it's a grassroots movement rooted in community and local identity, forged through song and dance, unity and commitment.
Activities of the Charity
La Benéfica carries out a wide range of cultural, community, and rural revitalization activities . Some of its defining characteristics are:
> A space for contemporary and avant-garde artistic expression, as well as popular and traditional culture.
> Transmission of knowledge between generations: workshops, meetings and community actions.
Community action to combat rural abandonment and depopulation: the idea that culture can be a driving force for territorial life.
> Diverse cultural program: exhibition of live crafts, events such as “Amagüestu”, activities related to the territory, art, resistance…
Schedule of activities of La Benéfica
There are recurring annual events, such as the amagüestu (chestnuts and sweet cider, plus a host of other activities), workshops and exhibitions, concerts… stay tuned and visit the link we provide to keep up to date with everything they have planned.
A brief history of La Benéfica
The original building dates from the early 20th century—now restored. The Piloña Charitable Society, a mutual aid society, was founded with contributions from its members who addressed needs not covered by the State or other institutions (illness, widowhood, financial assistance). It was so successful that in 1926 a large hall of approximately 400 square meters was built. It served as a dance hall, social meeting place, and a cinema every Sunday until 1946, when it was abandoned.
Around 2018, the rehabilitation campaign began, driven by local stakeholders, to bring the abandoned theater back to life. The project, funded through both public and private means and involving the community, has been presented as an example of applying the Sustainable Development Goals in rural areas.
Ultimately, La Benéfica represents that Asturias which refuses to lose its soul or its landscape, but rather reinvents itself through culture, community, the recovery of its heritage, and the generation of new ways of life. It is a project in which tradition and modernity are not at odds, but intertwined.
Location of La Benéfica
Address: Plaza la Benéfica.
L'Infiestu, 33530 Piloña.
* Photographs taken from the official website of the charity.
Text: © Ramón Molleda for asturias.com
