Art, music, dance, fairs, food, culture, history and much more. All of this could be enjoyed this weekend in Briones, in one of the most traditional and popular events: the Medieval Days. Traditional because this was the twenty-sixth edition and, except … For some years of the pandemic, it has been celebrated every year without missing an appointment. And busy because this is one of the celebrations that attracts the most people to Briones, reaching thousands of visitors every day of these days.
This festival declared of National Tourist Interest has the specialty of transforming the streets of the town just as the streets were in the 14th century. In such a way that visitors were able to learn about the traditional crafts of medieval times represented in the different portals of Briones.
An event marked by success, this is how Jaime Ruiz, president of the Briones Medieval Association, defined this edition of the Medieval Days. The good weather that has accompanied these two days is one of the keys to success for him, in addition to the proceeds from the inn, which is the only source of financing for these days. Another key point is the uniqueness of this celebration: «The success of these days is that they are different from the others. Not only at the level of La Rioja, in Spain there are none composed only of portals, without there being a market.
«The success of these days is that they are different. Not only at the level of La Rioja, but at the national level »
Jaime Ruiz
President of Medieval Briones
«I don’t know what I have with this medieval world but there is something special that unites me to it»
As for the number of visitors who have come to Briones, it is difficult to specify. «Many years ago a study was carried out to make the declaration of National Tourist Interest and it came out that there were between 35,000 and 40,000 people. But I think there will be more,” said Jaime Ruiz.
For this reason, after weeks of work and preparation, this Saturday they opened to the public 59 portals with a unique atmosphere each and some of the most varied proposals such as the glass blower, who could be seen carrying out various works playing with glass ; the paper rag portal, made up of the youngest brioneras who are taught by the most prepared and in which they make paper from scratch; or the coin minting portal, where the work involved in making a single coin could be observed.
All this while, at the same time, it was possible to enjoy the live performances, also very heterogeneous but with which they placed the visitors in the history that Briones lived in the Middle Ages. To this end, these days included music, dance, exhibitions and duels that were performed in the morning and afternoon of Saturday and Sunday. Among them you could see the display of the flag bearers who, along with the music, put on a show in which the flags flew to the sound of the songs.
It was also possible to enjoy the Baqueta pass, a wooden structure with moving obstacles that simulated the training of the warriors and that they had to overcome. Other shows that also had a great reception from the public were the light and sound show, the sword duel, the challenge between warriors and the Nasrid dancers.
These sessions were very well received by the public, who came from many parts of La Rioja and outside the autonomous community. That is the case of Juan and Regina, two people from Logroño who are repeating their visit for the third year. “It’s great for the town, for the townspeople to unite and for us to learn about the traditions,” Regina explained.
Ana and Roberto arrived in Briones with their motorhome on Thursday and enjoyed four days in the town while they considered their next destination. “I came several years ago and Ana is the first time she has come,” commented Roberto. “I don’t know what I have with this medieval world but there is something special that unites me with it,” said Ana.
Rebeca arrived from Ollauri and, like Roberto, had previously visited the town during these Medieval Days. “I especially like the parades they do with the horses,” she commented. The president of the Government of La Rioja, Gonzalo Capellán, also attended, along with the Minister of Culture, Tourism, Sports and Youth, José Luis Pérez Pastor.
Everything will come to an end and with the light and sound show scheduled for midnight, which will close this very special event for Briones with an eye toward the next edition.
Medieval Days with a lot of history and good weather
The main objective of these days is to represent the trades and customs of the artisans of the 14th century. For this reason, they return their streets to March 31, 1379, the day on which the Peace of Briones was signed, a historic treaty signed by Enrique II of Trastámara and Carlos II of Navarra. A peace signing between Castilla and Navarra that would change the history of Spain. This weekend has been a few days in which this story has been represented through shows and the 59 portals that made up them, but, in addition, they were marked by the good weather that allowed the continuity of the program established during the two days, reaching 28 degrees this Sunday according to the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet).
