Festival of the Virgin of the Guide in Llanes

Celebration date

The main day is 8 September. The day before, on the 7th, the novena and the night procession are usually celebrated; During the main day, religious and folklore events take place. The complementary activities and their schedules are specified in the programme of each edition.

The tourist declaration of the festival does not by itself determine the work calendar. The consideration of 8 September as a holiday must be verified in the official calendar applicable to each year and place.

Places and route

The celebration links the hermitage of the Virgin of the Guide, built on an elevation close to the sea, with the basilica of Santa María del Conceyu and the streets of the historic centre of Llanes. On the night of the 7th the image descends from the hermitage to the basilica; The next day he returns to the La Guía field after the mass and the procession.

Also consult the Festivals in Llanes.

Origin and seafaring tradition

The tourist documentation of the Principality places the hermitage and Llanisca devotion in a tradition of about five centuries. The dedication is closely linked to the seafaring identity of the town: during the night procession the procession makes a stop facing the sea to remember those who are far from Llanes.

The festival is recognized as Festival of National Tourist Interest, a distinction that highlights its antiquity, continuity and cultural uniqueness.

Night procession, mantillas and tuberoses

On the night of 7 September, the Virgin is accompanied from her hermitage to the basilica. Many participants wear a white or black Spanish mantilla, carry a candle and show off a tuberose, a flower that identifies the Bando de la Virgen de la Guía. The entrance of the procession into the town, the stop on the bridge, the petals and the pyrotechnics are part of the traditional scene.

Big day events

• Folkloric parade with llanisco and llanisca costumes, music bands and bagpipes.
• Solemn mass in the basilica of Santa María del Conceyu.
• Procession of return of the image to the hermitage and the field of La Guía.
• Dance of Arches, reverence and offering of branches before the Virgin.
• Dances from eastern Asturias, including the Pericote, as well as pilgrimage, Danza Prima and festival when provided for in the annual programme.

Organisation and participation

The Bando de la Virgen de la Guía maintains a good part of the festive traditions, with the collaboration of institutions, parish, musicians, dancers and neighbourhood. The celebration is attended by residents of Llanes, descendants of Llanes families and visitors attracted by the religious ceremony and folklore.

Sources

• Asturias Tourism: Festival of the Virgin of the Guide.
• Official Asturias Tourism agenda: date, places and traditional events.
• Llanes City Council Tourism: description of the La Guía festivities.