Moreda residents celebrate a century of solidarity and tradition

Residents of Moreda in the Aller council of Asturias, Spain, celebrate the Los Humanitarios festival every November 11.

This annual event honors San Martín and serves as a centerpiece of local culture in a region known for its valleys and mining history. The festival features traditional music, folk dances, and a parade of decorated carts through the streets. The Sociedad Humanitarios de San Martín founded the celebration in 1905 to foster mutual aid and solidarity among neighbors.

The organization originally aimed to resolve conflicts between livestock farmers and provide support to community members in need. Although the society nearly vanished after the Spanish Civil War, descendants of its members refounded the group in 1966 to preserve Asturian culture and continue its social work. The day begins with the sound of bagpipes and traditional dance groups traveling through the village.

A key ritual involves a procession to the local church for a solemn mass, followed by a public auction of a ramu, a decorated structure filled with local food products. The festivities conclude with a parade of participants in traditional attire, folk games, and fireworks. Participants also share a traditional menu featuring fabada, casadielles, and panchón, a local pastry made from escanda grain.

The organizers have not announced any changes to the 2026 program despite a planned general strike on the same day. The village received the Premio al Pueblo Ejemplar de Asturias in 2007, recognizing its long history of collective work and cultural preservation.