Nalón Folkloric Descent in Laviana
The Nalón Folklore Descent turns La Pola Llaviana/Pola de Laviana and its river into a parade of artisanal boats, costumes and humor. For weeks, the clubs prepare thematic creations that must advance on land and stay afloat in a stretch of the Nalón, in front of thousands of spectators.
Celebration date
The festival does not have a fixed day of the month: it is called on the second half of August, around the patron saint festivities of the Virgin of Otero. The specific date must be verified each year in the call of the organisation or the Laviana City Council.
The popular celebration should not be confused with a public holiday. The tourist declaration of the Descent does not by itself convert its date into a non-working day; Local holidays are approved in the corresponding official calendar.
Tour of Laviana and the Nalón River
The boats and their crews parade from the town centre of La Pola Llaviana/Pola de Laviana towards Puente d'Arcu. There they enter the Nalón and travel approximately one and a half kilometers until crossing the La Chalana bridge, where the arrival is concentrated and the festive atmosphere continues.
Before starting the river section, it is chanted Chalaneru, a popular song turned into an anthem of the Descent. The test does not seek speed: the challenge is to overcome backwaters, stones and other difficulties in the riverbed without losing the construction or its staging.
Origin and history
The Laviana City Council places the birth of the Descent in 1968, when residents of Pola de Laviana organised a simple river tour. That improvised race evolved thanks to the rallies into a parade of themed boats, costumes and satire on current affairs.
In 1973, basic rules were established that reinforced the self-construction and creativity of the groups. Institutional recognition came first as a Festival of Regional Tourist Interest in 1991 and, since 2020, as Festival of National Tourist Interest.
Embarcaciones, peñas y disfraces
Each group designs a homemade boat around a theme and coordinates the costumes of its members with it. The result combines a float, ephemeral art and navigation: the work must shine during the parade, reach the entry point to the river and retain sufficient integrity until La Chalana.
The public accompanies the journey through the streets, the accesses to the river and the finish line. Participation can bring together large crews, so collective organisation, physical effort and safety on the water are inseparable from the show.
Awards and traditions
- La Sopera, principal galardón a la mejor embarcación.
- La Soperina, categoría destinada a la participación infantil.
- Awards that value animation or folixa, Asturianism, the costumes and the technical quality of the constructions.
- Canto colectivo de Chalaneru before descending the river.
- Boat exhibition, awards ceremony and continuation of the party out of the water.
Organisation and participation
The Llavianeses pol Descensu Cultural Association promotes the festival with the collaboration of the Laviana City Council. The construction clubs, adult and child crews, organisation and security personnel, neighbors and visitors who follow the parade from the authorized areas participate.