The inhabitants of O Carballino they are celebrating This is because your Octopus Festival has been recognized by the state as International party of touristic interest. This required the signature of the Secretary of State for Tourism. However, what led you to make this decision?
We accept octopus as a payment method
La "Octopus Festival" It has been celebrated every second Sunday of August for sixty years. Thus, it coincides with the high season for tourism in Galicia. But why is something related to octopuses celebrated? Well, because this has always been an essential product in the area.
Not only for gastronomy, in fact in the past it was used as payment method. Moreover, the historical archives of the municipal library of Marin, Pontevedra, attest to this. Keep documents of Seventeenth century that show how the peasants paid with octopuses to the friars of Oseira, a municipality in the region, for the rights of jurisdiction in exchange for being able to till the land.
This same monastery extended its area of influence to Marin. Thus, the town of Saint Christopher of Cea saw trade flourish. Therefore, the inhabitants of these towns had a reason to celebrate. Now let's see what exactly is the Octopus Festival.
What's at the Octopus Festival?
It takes place in the Municipal Park of O Carbaliliño, an extension of 32 hectares of trees. This offers the great opportunity to discover the local cuisine as well as the folklore most varied and traditional Galician. You will find in it all kinds of débanles, costumes and musical pieces from different areas of the autonomous community. There are also performances of the Galician emigrants who return home for vacation.
The fair even has its anthem: "Pulpeiriña do Arenteiro". This is a tribute to the village pulperos and to the fair in their honor. Now, why has the Octopus festival just been cataloged as an event of international interest?
international character
To obtain the recognition of Festival of International Interest, the first thing is to have the distinction of Festival of National Interest. Luckily the Octopus Festival owned it since 2012. For this, it is necessary to prove the origin, antiquity and traditional roots of the festival. Originality, cultural value and the high degree of citizen participation are also relevant. Obviously, we must take into account the scope as a tourist attraction in the same way.
In addition, it is necessary to demonstrate that the holiday is celebrated continuously. The largest interruption allowed is five years between one edition and another. And as if that were not enough, the town must demonstrate that it has enough tourist accommodation to accommodate visitors. Together with all this, it is required to achieve ten relevant impacts in media in the extranjero. By this we mean specific treatment of the party, not mere mentions.
Do you dare to visit O Carballiño now that you know the history and potential of this curious fair?
