Interceltic Festival of Avilés
Encyclopedia
The Interceltic Festival of Avilés (FIA) is celebrated at the beginning of the summer in Avilés
and the surrounding area in Asturias
, Spain
and was founded in 1997. The festival is dedicated to the cultural traditions, and developments, of the Celtic nations
(países celtes
in Asturias), highlighting music
and dance
and also including other arts such as painting
, photography
, theatre
, sculpture
, traditional craftsmanship as well as sport
and gastronomy
. It is organized by the Cultural Association Esbardu, located in Avilés.
in Avilés
arose after the Festival Interceltique de Lorient
in 1993 when members of Esbardu who took part were impressed by that festival. They started working on a similar (although smaller) idea in Avilés
. In the summer of 1997 the project Interceltic Festival of Avilés (FIA) received a small budget from the Asturian regional government and another one from Avilés Town Hall. The success of the first festival meant that the organizers carried on the next year.
In 2006, 1,175 people took part in the festival with 150 acts and performances over eleven days. There were 800 hundred musicians, dancers and actors & actresses in the parade. In 2008 it was officially named, by the Regional Authorities of the Principality
of Asturies, as the "Fiesta de Interés Turístico Regional"(Celebration of Regional Tourist Interest).
In 2010 choirs from Wales will participate in the festival, namely The Port Talbot Cymric Male Choir and Cor Meibion Y Fflint (Flint Male Voice Choir). The 'Cymric' as it is affectionaly known, was the first Welsh male voice choir to perform at the 'Festival Interceltique de Lorient' and this was in 1978. The choir was again invited to Lorient in 1992. Flint have appeared at Lorient five times as well as Interceltic Festivals in Nantes and Paris. They were winners of the Male Voice Choir competition in the 2007 Cor Cymru and finallists again in 2009.
, between Cabo Peñas and the mouth of the Nalón river. It is in the "maritime heart" of Asturias. Avilés
, Castrillón
, Corvera
and Illas
are the members of the Comarca
. Tourists are also attracted by Avilés Medieval Town Centre, the beaches of the area and large amount of natural areas.
Las Noches Célticas (The Celtic Nights):
Asturias
Scotland
Avilés
Avilés is a city in Asturias, Spain. Avilés is with Oviedo and Gijón, one of the main towns in the Principality of Asturias.The town occupies the flattest land in the municipality, in a land that belonged to the sea, surrounded by small promontories, all of them having an altitude of less than...
and the surrounding area in Asturias
Asturias
The Principality of Asturias is an autonomous community of the Kingdom of Spain, coextensive with the former Kingdom of Asturias in the Middle Ages...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
and was founded in 1997. The festival is dedicated to the cultural traditions, and developments, of the Celtic nations
Celtic nations
The Celtic nations are territories in North-West Europe in which that area's own Celtic languages and some cultural traits have survived.The term "nation" is used in its original sense to mean a people who share a common traditional identity and culture and are identified with a traditional...
(países celtes
Celta
Celta may refer to:*CELTA, An English teaching certificate "Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults"*Celta de Vigo, A Spanish football club*Chevrolet Celta, A low cost supermini produced by General Motors do Brasil....
in Asturias), highlighting music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
and dance
Dance
Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....
and also including other arts such as painting
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
, photography
Photography
Photography is the art, science and practice of creating durable images by recording light or other electromagnetic radiation, either electronically by means of an image sensor or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film...
, theatre
Theatre
Theatre is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music or dance...
, sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble—or metal, glass, or wood. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals...
, traditional craftsmanship as well as sport
Sport
A Sport is all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim to use, maintain or improve physical fitness and provide entertainment to participants. Sport may be competitive, where a winner or winners can be identified by objective means, and may require a degree...
and gastronomy
Gastronomy
Gastronomy is the art or science of food eating. Also, it can be defined as the study of food and culture, with a particular focus on gourmet cuisine...
. It is organized by the Cultural Association Esbardu, located in Avilés.
Background
The idea of a festivalFestival
A festival or gala is an event, usually and ordinarily staged by a local community, which centers on and celebrates some unique aspect of that community and the Festival....
in Avilés
Avilés
Avilés is a city in Asturias, Spain. Avilés is with Oviedo and Gijón, one of the main towns in the Principality of Asturias.The town occupies the flattest land in the municipality, in a land that belonged to the sea, surrounded by small promontories, all of them having an altitude of less than...
arose after the Festival Interceltique de Lorient
Festival Interceltique de Lorient
The Festival Interceltique de Lorient or Gouelioù Etrekeltiek An Oriant was founded in Lorient, Brittany in 1971 by Polig Montjarret...
in 1993 when members of Esbardu who took part were impressed by that festival. They started working on a similar (although smaller) idea in Avilés
Avilés
Avilés is a city in Asturias, Spain. Avilés is with Oviedo and Gijón, one of the main towns in the Principality of Asturias.The town occupies the flattest land in the municipality, in a land that belonged to the sea, surrounded by small promontories, all of them having an altitude of less than...
. In the summer of 1997 the project Interceltic Festival of Avilés (FIA) received a small budget from the Asturian regional government and another one from Avilés Town Hall. The success of the first festival meant that the organizers carried on the next year.
In 2006, 1,175 people took part in the festival with 150 acts and performances over eleven days. There were 800 hundred musicians, dancers and actors & actresses in the parade. In 2008 it was officially named, by the Regional Authorities of the Principality
Principality
A principality is a monarchical feudatory or sovereign state, ruled or reigned over by a monarch with the title of prince or princess, or by a monarch with another title within the generic use of the term prince....
of Asturies, as the "Fiesta de Interés Turístico Regional"(Celebration of Regional Tourist Interest).
In 2010 choirs from Wales will participate in the festival, namely The Port Talbot Cymric Male Choir and Cor Meibion Y Fflint (Flint Male Voice Choir). The 'Cymric' as it is affectionaly known, was the first Welsh male voice choir to perform at the 'Festival Interceltique de Lorient' and this was in 1978. The choir was again invited to Lorient in 1992. Flint have appeared at Lorient five times as well as Interceltic Festivals in Nantes and Paris. They were winners of the Male Voice Choir competition in the 2007 Cor Cymru and finallists again in 2009.
Venue
The festival takes place in the Comarca de Avilés, located in AsturiasAsturias
The Principality of Asturias is an autonomous community of the Kingdom of Spain, coextensive with the former Kingdom of Asturias in the Middle Ages...
, between Cabo Peñas and the mouth of the Nalón river. It is in the "maritime heart" of Asturias. Avilés
Avilés
Avilés is a city in Asturias, Spain. Avilés is with Oviedo and Gijón, one of the main towns in the Principality of Asturias.The town occupies the flattest land in the municipality, in a land that belonged to the sea, surrounded by small promontories, all of them having an altitude of less than...
, Castrillón
Castrillón
Castrillón is a concejo in Asturias, located on the central coast. It has an area of 56.70 km² and a population of 22,361 inhabitants . The most important population centres are the capital Piedras Blancas, Salinas, and Raíces....
, Corvera
Corvera de Asturias
Corvera de Asturias is a municipality in the principality of Asturias in northern Spain. It shares a boundary to the north with Avilés and Gozón; to the east with Carreño and Gijón; to the south with Llanera and Illas and to the west with Castrillón...
and Illas
Illas
Illas is a municipality in Asturias, Spain, located in the western central part of the province and bordered by the municipalities of Castrillón, Candamo, Llanera, and Corvera de Asturias.-Parishes:There are three parishes :*Illas...
are the members of the Comarca
Avilés (Asturian comarca)
Avilés is one of 8 comarcas, administrative divisions of Asturias, which is a province and an autonomous community in Spain .The comarca of Avilés is divided into nine municipalities. From east to west they are:*Gozón*Avilés*Corvera*Illas*Castrillón...
. Tourists are also attracted by Avilés Medieval Town Centre, the beaches of the area and large amount of natural areas.
FIA 2008
From the 18th to the 27th of July, 2008, a new edition of the festival is taking place in Avilés and Comarca.Las Noches Célticas (The Celtic Nights):
AsturiasAsturiasThe Principality of Asturias is an autonomous community of the Kingdom of Spain, coextensive with the former Kingdom of Asturias in the Middle Ages...
- La Bandina de la Curuxa
- Falanuncaduca
- Anabel Santiago and M.Lee Woolf
ScotlandScotlandScotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
- Fred MorrisonFred MorrisonFred Morrison is one of the world's leading pipers and is a globally renowned composer of music for the bagpipes.Morrison is known for his unique, powerfully exuberant, virtuosic and highly improvisational style which combines the Gaelic piping tradition of South Uist with contemporary and eclectic...
- The Tannahill Weavers
- Culter and District Pipe Band
- The Red Hot Chilli Pipers
FIA 2007
Participants in the 11th festival included- Curran - Fegan from IrelandIrelandIreland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
- Inquedanzas from TuiTui, GaliciaTui , in Spanish Tuy, is a town in Galicia , in the province of Pontevedra. It is located on the left bank of the Minho River, facing the Portuguese town of Valença....
PontevedraPontevedra (province)Pontevedra is a province of Spain along the country's Atlantic coast in southwestern Europe. The province forms the southwestern part of the autonomous community of Galicia...
, Galicia - Banda de Gaitas Ledicia from Sanguiñeda Mos, Pontevedra
- Dawnswyr Môn folk danceFolk danceThe term folk dance describes dances that share some or all of the following attributes:*They are dances performed at social functions by people with little or no professional training, often to traditional music or music based on traditional music....
rs from AngleseyAngleseyAnglesey , also known by its Welsh name Ynys Môn , is an island and, as Isle of Anglesey, a county off the north west coast of Wales...
, WalesWalesWales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²... - The Red Hot Chilli Pipers from ScotlandScotlandScotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
- PitlochryPitlochryPitlochry , is a burgh in the council area of Perth and Kinross, Scotland, lying on the River Tummel. Its population according to the 2001 census was 2,564....
and Blair AthollAthollAtholl or Athole is a large historical division in the Scottish Highlands. Today it forms the northern part of Perth and Kinross, Scotland bordering Marr, Badenoch, Breadalbane, Strathearn, Perth and Lochaber....
Pipe BandPipe bandA pipe band is a musical ensemble consisting of pipers and drummers. The term used by military pipe bands, pipes and drums, is also common....
from Scotland - CapercaillieCapercaillie (band)Capercaillie is a Scottish folk band, founded in the 1980s by Donald Shaw and fronted by Karen Matheson. They have seen four of their albums placed in the UK Albums Chart, and continue to perform and record to the present day.-History:...
a folkFolk musicFolk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
band from Scotland - Ballocheam Highland DancersScottish highland danceThe term Highland dance or Highland dancing is used today to refer to a style of athletic solo dancing which developed in the Gaelic Highlands of Scotland...
from StirlingshireStirlingshireStirlingshire or the County of Stirling is a registration county of Scotland, based around Stirling, the former county town. It borders Perthshire to the north, Clackmannanshire and West Lothian to the east, Lanarkshire to the south, and Dunbartonshire to the south-west.Until 1975 it was a county...
, Scotland - Bagad Landi from BrittanyBrittanyBrittany is a cultural and administrative region in the north-west of France. Previously a kingdom and then a duchy, Brittany was united to the Kingdom of France in 1532 as a province. Brittany has also been referred to as Less, Lesser or Little Britain...
- Lann Tivizio from Brittany
- Cultural Association Esbardu: Organizers of the Festival
- XeraXera (band)Xera is an Asturian band from San Andrés, in the municipality of Oviedo. Born as the consequence of the combination of high sound engineering with symphonic musical concepts based in Asturian traditional music...
from Asturias - La Bandina from Asturias
- Dúo Astur from Asturias
Other Celtic Festivals
- - Interceltic Festival of MorrazoInterceltic Festival of MorrazoThe Interceltic Festival of Morrazo is a folk music festival celebrated in August in Moaña , in Galicia Spain. The purpose of the festival is to promote and develop traditional folk music, highlinting Celtic music and new tendencies. The festival was founded on the 15 August 1985 by the Semente...
, Galicia. - - Festival Interceltique de LorientFestival Interceltique de LorientThe Festival Interceltique de Lorient or Gouelioù Etrekeltiek An Oriant was founded in Lorient, Brittany in 1971 by Polig Montjarret...
, FranceFranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. - - Interceltic Festival d'Occidente, AsturiasAsturiasThe Principality of Asturias is an autonomous community of the Kingdom of Spain, coextensive with the former Kingdom of Asturias in the Middle Ages...
.
External links
- Interceltic Festival of Avilés Official Website
- Esbardu Official website
- Comarca Avilés
- Festival Interceltique de Lorient Official Website
- Dawnswyr Môn website
- Red Hot Chilli Pipers website
- Capercaillie website
- Bagad Landi website
- Esbardu website
- http://www.flintmalechoir.co.uk/index.html
- Dañserien Lann Tivizio website
- Xera website