ISTÁN - FIESTAS

Easter (Holy Week) (depending on Christian calendar)

Istan’s Easter Week stands out thanks to the staging of El Paso (procession), which has its origin in the 17th century. This representation was suspended during the years previous to the Civil War but it never disappeared from people’s hearts so it was reinstated in 1980. These are dramatizations of passages from the Old and New Testaments which end with the crucifixion of the Christ during Good Friday. It has the unconditional participation of the entire village, with more than a hundred actors.

La Tomilleria (Sunday previous to 29th of September)

Dressed in traditional costume of Istan, the pilgrims, here called Tomilleros, referring to the thyme covering the fields, make their way to the shrine of San Miguel, which is located in a cave. They gather there in order to have a day of merry celebration inviting anyone wishing to join in. At five o’clock, they all return to the town carrying the Saint on their shoulders.

Fair of San Miguel (Saint Michael) (closest weekend to the 29th of September)

Days of joy in the village of Istan, where the town square turns into a continuous party. From 8 am the music band strolls through the streets followed by the town people until they reach the square, where the band carries on playing until the following day. You sense an atmosphere of festivity where the popular flavour is preserved by holding competitions, games and an old tradition such as the ribbon bicycle race.

“Tostoná” of All Saints Day (1st of November)

The residents of Istan gather inside their houses, farmyards and on the streets to prepare the traditional “Tostoná” or roasting of chestnuts, a popular celebration where there is great emphasis on singing and drinking aguardiente (the local firewater). The young people spend the day in the country and on their return they stain each other’s faces with the soot from the roasting pans.

“Zambombeos” (during Christmas)

During winter, the “zambombeos” are used to announce the arrival of Christmas: The locals gather in spontaneous groups and go around the streets singing traditional carols, with the help of traditional drums (zambombas) and tambourines.

Gastronomic Festival and Fiesta of Los Quintos (weekend previous to 28th of February)

Although they have a different significance and origin, they are currently held together, the one complementing the other. The Gastronomic Festival originated not too long ago, from the collaboration of the Adult Education Centre and the Agua Clara Women’s Association. It offers a sampling of traditional dishes from the village, held in the town square, served with orange juice from the local orange groves. The fiesta of Los Quintos started when the military service was still normal practice and has been maintained by the young men from each "quinta" (draft) until the present day.