The Xiringüelu is, in origin, a very Asturian dance that has ended up giving its name to an entire festive universe: affectionately, the Xirin . A collective jolt, a Pravia-style and Asturian way of getting things going long before the first brass band plays. It begins with the preparations of the peñas (social clubs), with the materials coming and going, with the jokes among friends, the plans for revelry , and those sturdy structures that gradually take shape until they raise, almost from nothing, a whole festive village.
From Pravia to Prau Salceu
The town of Pravia dons its traditional red neckerchief and embraces a festival that grows stronger every day: Thursday afternoon sees the start of the Xirinfantil , designed to introduce the youngest members of the community to the traditions; Friday brings the opening proclamation, along with the XirinBollu and the distribution of the traditional filled bread roll; and Saturday night features the Popinazu , a humorous review of the year, poking fun where necessary and turning the town's current events into laughter. Then comes the moment to evaluate the work of each group and award prizes to the best booths of this year's festival. Thus, event by event, little by little, the popular current builds, drawing Pravia to the festival grounds .
On Sunday , the big day , Pravia starts buzzing early. The parade winds its way through the town, and around midday, the festive tide, with bagpipes, drums, and brass bands, heads towards Prau Salcéu , where the beautifully decorated booths await their respective groups. The party then enters its natural territory along the banks of the Nalón River.
The essence of xirin
The Xiringüelu pilgrimage began in the 40s , driven by a group of residents of Pravia who wanted to revive the joy and camaraderie of the difficult post-war years. Since then, its spirit of camaraderie and country outings has endured, always growing and perfecting the joy and fellowship sought in its origins, making it more popular and dynamic, on a larger scale, until it became one of the most famous pilgrimages of the Cantabrian summer.
Encounters and reunions are the natural language of Xiringüelu. You go from group to group , from circle to circle, greeting some, testing the humor of others, and letting Asturian hospitality do its work. You have to be active , accept invitations, and reciprocate when appropriate by putting cider on to chill, spreading out a tablecloth with empanadas and tortillas, and cooking on the spot if you feel like it.
The Xiringüelu booths
The booths, or "casetes," are the defining feature of Xirin . Before the big day, the shade is calculated, logistics are arranged, and tasks are assigned to erect these structures, which are not simply shelters from the sun or rain, but rather the home of each group, stages for friendship and revelry made with wood, canvas, paint, posters, flags, coolers, tables, food, cider, and a whole lot of pride. Some boast decorations, others atmosphere, others good food, but all equally reinforce the "folixero" spirit of the "village."
The miseries
Among the most well-known peñas (social clubs) is El Ahorcáu (The Hanged Man), born from a joke among friends in 1978, when the Xiringüelu festival was still celebrated in the parish of Cañedo. That effigy hanging from a coat hanger not only gave the peña its name but also became one of the most recognizable symbols of the Xiringüelu. Today, when people sing "Asturias, patria querida" (Asturias, beloved homeland) in front of the hanged man , they are kicking off the festivities and celebrating one of their most cherished traditions. The scene says it all without needing a manual: the party can begin!
The Ahorcau supporters' club has also made history as the first to have its own t-shirt. Nowadays, supporters' club t-shirts are a way of saying "I'm from here," "I'm with these guys," "this is my crew." Each one has its own name, design, slogan, or joke. The meadow thus becomes a parade of colors, witty remarks, and collective identities. There are new t-shirts, anniversary t-shirts, t-shirts from past years, and others that now only serve as gang relics.
The Xirinzone
In recent times, the festival has also channeled new youthful energy with spaces like XirinZone , a large area with amplified music and continuous dancing designed to keep the party going until the very last minute. It's the most festival-like side of Xirin , with restricted access via ticket. For schedules, access conditions, and details of each edition of XirinZone and the rest of the festival program, always check the updated information at xiringuelu.es
Tips for joining the Xirngüelu
Anyone going to Xiringüelu for the first time would do well to know a few things to avoid feeling like a stranger (although this is practically impossible). The wisest advice is to start early, listening to the first stirrings of the Sunday festival and its early morning revelry in the town of Pravia. From then on, just let yourself go. A neckerchief helps, of course, because it quickly draws you into the Xiringüelu atmosphere; but good outdoor clothing, comfortable closed shoes , and something to protect yourself from the sun or rain are also helpful .
The Xiringüelu isn't something you watch from the outside; it's something you experience from within , fully participating and joining in the flow of the pilgrimage with a positive attitude, good humor, and respect for those who have spent days preparing everything. Here, you drink cider responsibly, eat heartily, sing, play music , and dance because you feel like it; but you also take care of the festival as if it were your own, knowing that it belongs to everyone who works on it and wants to see it just as joyful again the following year.
The Xiringüelu is much more than a meadow festival , and although it retains the essence of an Asturian pilgrimage, it can no longer operate as if it were a small-scale event. It needs organization, access, cleanliness, security, separate areas, and a structure capable of accommodating large crowds without losing its essential character. If you join the festivities, respect its traditions and spirit, don't use glass cups , and, if possible, use public transport.
Photographs: © Alovisual - Brotherhood of Xiringüelu
