Magic Night and Esfoyón and Amagüestu Festival

Navelgas is a village in the council of Tineo, in the westernmost heart of Asturias, which somehow embodies the most traditional and magical atmosphere of Asturian villages. That is why it is no coincidence that one of the most genuine festivals of the rural traditions of Asturias linked to autumn is held there.
The Festival of the Esfoyón and the Amagosto portrays with great realism and accuracy the 'esfoyones' of yesteryear, when the villagers would gather in a house to husk or 'esfoyar' the corn of that family, and to help them later to husk it and hang it from the corridors.

These gatherings were a social event, where people of all ages would chat amicably and sing, and the younger ones would take advantage of the occasion to court. The "esfoyaza" became a great celebration, where stories, legends and traditions were told, as the work did not take away the energy for the "folixa" and the singing.

Nowadays, the festival of the Esfoyón begins at dusk in the Navelgas de Arriba neighbourhood, which is completely decked out for the occasion. The streets are covered with straw and lit up with torches, and all the villagers dress up in old-fashioned clothes and prepare good food - frixuelos, chestnuts, corn cakes, bollos preñaos, freshly skimmed butter, etc. -.

In addition, under the bakeries and in the stables, the different craftsmen and women - "madreñeros", "cesteiros", "ferreros", etc. - give demonstrations of their work. While the youngsters distribute the "garutsa", i.e. homemade cherry anisette, orujo and drinks that help to take the chill off the November cold, as this festival is always held in the first fortnight of this month.

During the course of the evening, the golden panoya is awarded to an outstanding personality for his or her support of the festival and its traditions.

This festival is undoubtedly an ideal occasion to travel to the most authentic of Asturian rural traditions.