The Festas da Peregrina of Pontevedra have kicked off this Saturday, August 8, with the reading of the proclamation at 12:00 noon, led by journalist Ramón Rozas.
For eight days -- until Sunday the 16th -- the city will experience a wide program of proposals aimed at all audiences. The attractions for children have been operational since Friday afternoon.
The balcony of the Pontevedra Town Hall has been the chosen stage for the reading of the proclamation, with which the celebrations of the locality are officially inaugurated. On this occasion, the responsibility has fallen on the journalist from Diario de Pontevedra Ramón Rozas.
During his speech, Rozas has claimed Pontevedra as a city built between history and imagination, taking as a central figure Jacinto Barallobre, a character from "La saga/fuga de J.B.", and his search for the origin of the mysterious heartbeat he feels in the stones of the city.
In this way, the proclamation has been linking different corners and historical moments of Pontevedra to highlight its heritage, its squares, the maritime tradition, the Camino de Santiago, and the connection between the city and the rural environment. It has also focused on figures related to Pontevedra such as Torrente Ballester, Castelao, Valle-Inclán, García Lorca, Rafael Alberti, or Saramago.
Programming by days
On the night of this Saturday, musical performances by BenQuerer are scheduled, with Fran Sieira dancing to the music of Caamaño & Ameixeiras, at 21:00 in the Praza da Ferrería; the concert by M-Clan, at 22:30, in the Praza de España; the dance with the orchestra Atracción Cabaret at 22:45; and, as a closing, a fireworks show at 00:00.
On Sunday the 9th, the day will begin at 21:00 with the procession of the Virgen Peregrina and the guild dance of ribbons in the Praza da Peregrina. The musical offer will continue with concerts by Alana, at 22:00 in the Praza da Ferrería, and La Casa Azul, at 22:30 in the Praza de España. The night will be completed with a dance by the Grupo Talismán in Montero Ríos.
On Monday the 10th, the programming includes the children's concert "Tubos do mundo," by Xavi Lozano, at 19:30 in the Praza de Arturo Souto. Later in the evening, La Edad de Oro del Pop Español and C Marí and D. Valentino will perform, while the Grupo Florida Band will take care of the dance in Montero Ríos.
On Tuesday the 11th, the youngest ones will be able to attend the theatrical show "Teatro Tachán!", by Inventi, at 7:30 PM. At 9:00 PM, the Praza da Ferrería will host a circus gala by the Orquestra de Malavares with the Banda de Música de Salcedo and Pistacatro. The 40 Sessions will take the stage at 10:30 PM in the Praza de España and the Alabama orchestra will enliven the dance.
On Wednesday the 12th, the Praza da Ferrería will receive the concert "Bravú Bandástico" at 9:00 PM, with the Banda de Música de Pontevedra and prominent representatives of the bravú movement. At 10:30 PM, Sidecars will offer their live performance in the Praza de España, while the Grupo Nueva Fuerza will take care of the night dance in Montero Ríos.
On Thursday the 13th, one of the most emblematic events of the Festas da Peregrina will arrive, the Battle of Flowers, which will take place from 7:00 PM through the streets Loureiro Crespo, Benito Corbal, Cobián Roffignac, and Padre Amoedo. At night, the Praza de España will host "Érase outra vez. O musical" and the Praza da Ferrería will feature the comedy show "PONTEaRIR", with Carlos Blanco, Touriñán, Leti da Taberna, and Luís Davila. The dance will be managed by La Travesía.
On Friday the 14th, the children's offer will include the storytelling "Lideiras dunha vaca", by Erea Mora, at 7:30 PM. At night, the Praza da Ferrería will be the stage for the "Ponte Rock Sinfónico" by the Orquestra Sinfónica de Pontevedra, while Miguel Ríos will perform at 10:30 PM in the Praza de España. The Grupo Rubí from Vigo will provide music for the dance.
On Saturday the 15th, the feast of Santa María, will start with a solemn mass and procession at 12:30 PM on Avenida de Santa María. In the afternoon, there will be a concert by the Banda de Música de Salcedo and a children's theater session. The musical programming will continue with a choral festival in the Praza da Ferrería and the concert by De Vacas in the Praza de España. The orchestra D'Crisis will liven up the dance and, at midnight, a fireworks show will be held between the bridges of O Burgo and Santiago.
The celebrations will close on Sunday the 16th with a day that will include children's magic, the solemn mass and procession of San Roque, and an international gala of illusionism Pontemaxia. The musical part will have as its central figure Pastora Soler, who will perform at 10:30 PM in Praza de España, while the orchestra Pekados will take care of the dance. At 12:00 AM, the festivities will bid farewell again with a fireworks display between the bridges of O Burgo and Santiago.