The Canoe Festival - International Descent of the Sella River
- Parres and Ribadesella
- Locality: Arriondas/Les Arriondes and Ribadesella/Ribeseya
- Days: First Saturday in August (unless it's the 1st or 2nd day)
- Site: www.descensodelsella.com
- Type: Festival of International Tourist Interest
Info
Also known as the International Descent of the Sella River, it is one of the most popular festivals both within and outside of Asturias. Combining the playful and sporting aspects, the Canoe Festival seamlessly blends the charm and excitement of a canoe race on calm waters with a distinctly Asturian celebration, all in a truly privileged setting along the waters and banks of the Sella River, as the sporting competition takes place between Arriondas/Les Arriondes and Ribadesella/Ribeseya, in the easternmost part of Asturias.
This canoe race is one of the oldest in the world and marks the birth of competitive canoeing in calm waters in Spain. Therefore, it is a major sporting event that incorporates all the "rituals" of a typical Asturian festival: music, parade of brass bands, cider, and the playing of the "Asturias Patria Querida" anthem, signaling the start of the race, just a few kilometers away from the impressive peaks of the Picos de Europa.
The Canoe Festival, there is no merrier celebration, no more Asturian essence.
Map
