Pontevedra Feira Franca

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Feira Franca de Pontevedra
Feira franca (29154184380).jpg
Pontevedra during the 2016 Feira Franca
Observed byPontevedra, Spain
Observancesequestrian jousting, street entertainment, theatre, leather, wood and textile crafts, falconry shows, traditional river boats, wine transport, juggling
Datefirst Friday and Saturday in September
Frequencyannual

The Feira Franca is a medieval festival held in Pontevedra (Spain) on Friday afternoon and Saturday of the first weekend in September. It is set in the Middle Ages and includes a medieval market, a chivalry tournament, falconry shows, food stalls, street entertainment, juggling, music, workshops, leather, wood, textile and natural products crafts, and more.[1]

In 2013, it was declared a festival of tourist interest by the Galician Government.[2] Today, it brings together some 100,000 people[3] who dress up in period costumes to take part in the festivities.[4] · [5]

History and description[]

The Feira Franca has its origins in the tax-free market, which began to take place in the city through a royal privilege established by King Henry IV in 1467, with the celebration of a month-long festival around 24 August in honour of Saint Bartholomew. In the medieval Fairs, the highest and lowest social classes met.

The first edition took place in 2000,[6] and has since attracted a large number of visitors. People wear medieval-inspired costumes and the old town centre undergoes a major aesthetic transformation. Locals and visitors are encouraged to join in the festivities with carts and horses in the streets, prisoners on the gallows or with Blacksmiths and other medieval characters.

For several years now, each fair has been dedicated to a theme. In 2006 it was dedicated to the Irmandiños, in 2007 to the sea and in 2008 to agriculture. In the tenth edition in 2009 the Fair was named Love, Mockery and Curses, in homage to the medieval songs made in the Galician language. In 2010 the theme was walkers, in 2011 old-time trade and in 2012 popular games. In 2013, it is devoted to Inventions, in 2014 to astronomy, in 2015 to alchemy, in 2016 to music, in 2017 to medieval bestiaries and in 2018 to legends.

Gallery[]

  • Falconry show

  • Equestrian jousting in the arena

  • Group of visitors dressed in medieval clothing

  • Group of friends at Feira Franca 2019

  • Speech

  • Ladies and gentlemen

  • Dining tables

  • Trabancas Gate of the walls of Pontevedra

  • Courtesan

  • Weavers of fishing nets

  • Bishop

  • Bread in a cage

  • Vegetables

  • Nobles

  • Troubadours

References[]

  1. ^ "Escapadas: Pontevedra mira al Medievo en su Feira Franca", article on the newspaper website El Español, 5 September 2019.
  2. ^ "O Consello da Xunta aprobou hoxe a declaración de Festa de Interese Turístico de Galicia para a Feira Franca de Pontevedra", article on the website Galicia Tourism, 13 June 2013.
  3. ^ "El resurgir de Pontevedra". National Geographic (in Spanish). 7 September 2019.
  4. ^ "Pontevedra vuelve al medievo con la Feira Franca", article on the website Tur 43, 6 September 2019.
  5. ^ "Pontevedra encarga un estudio para conocer el retorno económico que ha tenido la Feira Franca", article on the newspaper website Le Progreso, 5 September 2016.
  6. ^ "Feira Franca de Pontevedra 2019: principales actos de una celebración con aroma histórico", article on the newspaper website ABC, 6 September 2019.

See also[]

Related articles[]

External link[]

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