Written by the students: Camila, Hugo, Miguel, Leo F., Kevork, & Diego G.G. – IES Montevil  from  Spain

Asturias, in northern Spain, celebrates its cultural heritage through vibrant festivals. One of the most famous is the Fiesta de la Sardina, which marks the end of Carnival with a parade that mimics a funeral procession, ending with the symbolic burning of a sardine to close the festive season.

The Fiesta de la Castaña is another key celebration, held in autumn to honour the harvest with roasted chestnuts and sweet cider. People gather to enjoy these seasonal treats, embracing the region’s agricultural traditions.

The Fiestas de prao, or “festivals of the meadow,” take place in summer, with open-air celebrations in meadows featuring music, brass bands, and local food. A highlight is the espicha, a lively party in cider houses or outdoors, where people drink directly from the barrel, pour the cider in the traditional way called escanciar, and share traditional dishes.

Asturian cuisine is equally rich, with fabada, a hearty bean stew; cachopo, steaks with Iberian ham and cheese; and arroz con leche, creamy rice pudding, being local favourites that reflect the region’s flavourful food culture.