Festival de Bandes de Gaites Villa de Candás

Festival Villa de Candás

Last Updated on Saturday, 09 July 2011 11:15 |

In recent years the boom experienced by the traditional folk culture, not only in Asturias but throughout all Spanish state, allow for a flowering of cultural movements (festivals, theater, music, etc..) supported by society. These spontaneous movements could not be developed unless they were supported by public and private institutions for the promotion of popular culture and serving to promote local, regional and national economic. This is the purpose of Festival de Bandes de Gaites Villa de Candás.

Asturias is geographically and historically in a very specific cultural area typified by a concept of geo-economic root: the Atlantic Arc. This arc covers those European countries which have the connecting link the Atlantic Ocean, ranging from Portugal to Scotland. Asturias, in that environment, plays a natural role, with Galicia and Portugal, southern border cultural territory well defined, and that not only correspond to linguistic criteria (in this territory are not only areas where languages are preserved. Celtic roots as Britain, Ireland or Scotland, but are also countries with languages of Latin origin as the Asturian and Galician), but also relates to cultures amply matched: traditions, customs, legends, music, types, etc..

The most clear and simple (which is also the most spectacular) to carry out to the street any cultural event related to the Atlantic Arc has been always the festivals.

These festivals are held in all regions of the Atlantic Arc (Galicia, Scotland, Brittany, etc.). In a few days we try to show the richness of a culture that once, not very distant, almost disappear. The festivals aren't simple signs of culture. They are bridges between sister nations separated by the sea and other natural forces less beside. They are also an important source of income for the communities in which they operate, since they generate a great tourist attraction of an impressive range (each of these festivals is the reference point around the Atlantic Arc during the event). For example, the festival of Lorient in Brittany, the population triples during the 15 days. This means that the authorities are very present and cuddled her festival when preparing the budget

Seeing this background it is easy to see why our Asociation decided to create the Festival de Bandes de Gaites Villa de Candas. It has become, in a few years, in a privileged reference point of the summers in Asturias, as evidenced by the enormous impact and high volume of information that is generated.

There are several targets that we are getting in different editions of the festival have been held, and surely also be achieved in this year: cultural, economic, holidays, etc..

Over recent years in Asturias and thus, in Carreño, has been a resurgence of traditional values and customs, which in recent times seem not to want to forget and get lost. Thanks to the work of of several cultural groups, we are preserving ethnographic customs and traditions that characterize the Asturian town is palpable even their resurgence with great force.

A good example is the rise of the Asturian bagpipes. In the early 80's was in danger of extinction. Today the opposite is true. Carreño was no stranger to this phenomenon. At present, Carreño has about four hundred people involved in cultural activities. Our festival fulfills a goal widely demanded by much of society and asturias Carreno.

Our goal is that this festival is compared with those in other countries of the Atlantic Arc, as Festiveal Lorient in Brittany, the Celtic Conection in Scotland or Ortigueira Interceltic Festival in Galicia. This is a real challenge for us. Our Festival is distinguished from others by being dedicated exclusively to the Pipe Band.

The pipe bands can not be considered a traditional activity of Asturian culture since birth in the late twentieth century. But the use of bagpipes, played alone or accompanied by the drum, is present in our cultural tradition. This festival is the best showcase of this piece of our culture. The pipe bands are a manifestation of the Asturian culture and new ways of making music with the Asturian bagpipes. And firmly stalled on the people of our land.

The festival also wants to be a great incentive for local tourism. This activity employs a large number of people in Astruias. One of the most prominent economic sectors in the municipality of Carreño. Our festival has a huge impact on the local economy related to tourism. During the Festival, hundreds of people come to our people to listen to pipe bands.

Another key goal of our festival is to open channels of communication with the Atlantic Arc and, therefore, across Europe. One of the problems suffered Asturias is its isolation from Spain and Europe. Asturias is in a group of countries or Atlantic communities. Historical events can confirm it. One of the most famous is the historical contact, cultural and economic which once connected Carreño fishermen to the seas of Ireland. It was in Ireland where, according to legend, was found the image of the Holy Christ of Candás. One might also mention the settlement of the Celts from the north.And the Britons in recent times. There is plenty of evidence showing that at one time the natural outlet of Asturias was heading north, not south. In southern border was the complicated nature of the Cantabrian Mountains.

Our goals for the Festival are:

Consolidating a project that has wide acceptance Asturian culture and serving as a showcase of our traditions.
Serve as a sobering economic for our Town. We especially want to encourage tourism.
Serve as a vehicle of communication between Asturias and the other Atlantic countries. Especially with the Celtic countries. Asturias intend to break their isolation..

The Festival de Bandes de Gaites Villa de Candás has established itself as one of the benchmarks Candás summer. We bring to society of this instrument sounds and new ways of making music with bagpipes in Asturias. Also invited to the best bands in Galicia, Illes Balears, Leon, Scotland and Brittany.

Our Association has organized for several years the Festival de Bandes de Gaites Villa de Candás. Participated in the festival numerous pipe bands renowned. Bands of internationally renowned

The festivals held so far had great success attendance. We have obtained very good reception in the media. This is a matter of pride for those who organize it. It forces us to continue in a line year after year we require a greater commitment to quality.

The festival has been broadcast on television several editions.

And we have had in him the presence of significant figures in the world of bagpipes. Among them we can highlight our first director, Jose Angel Hevia.