Once again this year the San Mateo Festival is here, the most important festival in the city of Logroño and in the whole of La Rioja, in which the grape harvest plays a key role. The San Mateo festivities are a festival of tradition, of Riojan folklore and, possibly, the most important cultural event in the region. A magnificent excuse to get to know La Rioja, to enjoy the activities that take place on the occasion of this festival and, of course, to enjoy good wine.
ORIGIN OF THE FESTIVITIES
The Fiestas of San Mateo in Logroño, in the week of 21 September, have their origins back in the 12th century. At that time it was granted the status of town. This fact, together with its good position on the Pilgrim's Way to Santiago de Compostela, made the city a reference point for trade at the time. Also known as the Fiestas de la Vendimia (Grape Harvest Festival), because of its links to farming and because it marks the beginning of this important activity for the people of La Rioja, they have now been declared Festivals of National Tourist Interest.
Over the years, the Fiestas de San Mateo have brought together a greater number of cultural events, bringing together multiple disciplines. During these days, the city of Logroño hosts concerts and other cultural events, sporting events, bullfighting and a host of activities linked to wine culture. To find out more about these festivities, here is a brief overview of the most important activities in the San Mateo Festival Programme 2015.
ESSENTIAL
Although this year's San Mateo festivities officially begin on the 20th, the city of Logroño has been involved in this celebration and the programme includes activities since the 12th. Among the wide range of cultural activities on offer during these days, there are a series of essential events, which carry the weight of tradition and the identity of the festival of San Mateo. Not to be missed:
- The firing of the rocket from the balcony of the Town Hall marks the official start of the celebrations. Beforehand, the mayoress and the Vendimiadores Mayors of the fiestas give the inaugural speech. (Sunday 20 September).
- Grape treading and offering of the first must to the Virgen de la Valvanera. (Monday 21 September).
Virgen de la Valvanera in the San Mateo Festivities. Author: Jynus
- During all the fairs you can visit the chamizos, places set up by the different peñas and neighbourhood groups where you can taste zurracapote, a typical drink from La Rioja similar to sangria.
- Parade of floats, peñas, folk groups and music bands. (Friday 25 September).
- Burning of the vat. This marks the end of the San Mateo fiestas and the farewell until next year. (Saturday 26th September).
- International Fireworks Competition. This is one of the most recent traditions of the San Mateo fiestas. This year it celebrates its 9th edition, in which over the course of several nights, different pyrotechnic companies compete to offer the best fireworks display to visitors.
CULTURAL EVENTS
The Grape Harvest Festival is a celebration of culture, both in La Rioja and in other parts of Spain and the world. There are countless activities, exhibitions, fairs and workshops that we can attend during these festivities. As a sample, we would like to highlight the following:
- 32nd National Fair of Pottery and Ceramics
- Showcase of Regional Houses
- Circus exhibitions and workshops
- Passacaglia
- 1st International Short Film Festival on Gastronomy and Wine "Win5 Festival".
GASTRONOMY
Gastronomy is another of the mainstays of these festivities. In a land of good food like La Rioja, there is a gastronomic offer to match. During these days several gastronomic festivals are organised and it is possible to enjoy tastings of traditional Riojan dishes offered by the peñas and chamizos. A visit to "La Laurel", Logroño's most emblematic "pinchos" area, is also a must, perfect for an aperitif at any time of the day. We would also like to highlight the Gastronomic Week.
SPORTS
The San Mateo festivities also bring together a multitude of sporting events. We can enjoy football, basketball, handball, volleyball, paddle tennis, frontenis, golf and even the second edition of the City of Logroño Marathon. Among the most important events are, due to their link to the sporting tradition of La Rioja, the celebration of different tournaments and professional pelota matches.
Author: Arquitextonica
BULLS
The bull plays a leading role in these fiestas with screenings, gatherings, talks and many other cultural events. The main events in this area include the hosting of the Semi-Final of the Spanish Recortadores Championship with bulls and five top-level bullfights, one of which is a bullfighting event. Among the matadors who will visit La Ribera during the Bullfighting Fair are: the Riojan Diego Urdiales, recent winner of the Bilbao Fair in August; Pablo Hermoso de Mendoza, Miguel Abellán, Enrique Ponce, José María Manzanares, Morante de la Puebla, Julián López "El Juli" and Alejandro Talavante.
THEATRE
The Fiestas de la Vendimia are also an important event for theatre lovers. Among the most important plays performed during the festivities are the following:
- Good people. By Pulitzer Prize winner David Lindsey-Abaire. Directed by David Serrano and starring Verónica Forqué. The cast is completed by Pilar Castro, Juan Fernández, Susi Sánchez and Diego Paris.
- If it works. By Woody Allen. Directed by Alberto Castrillo-Ferrer. Starring José Luis Gil with Ana Ruiz, Rocío Calvo, Ricardo Joven and Beatriz Santana.
- I was serious. During the San Mateo celebrations, the controversial play Iba en serio will also be performed , a musical adaptation of the autobiographical novel La vida iba en serio, by the television personality Jorge Javier Vázquez, and also his debut as a theatre actor.
MUSIC
Music is another of the highlights of the programme for the San Mateo Fiestas in 2015. In addition to performances by local bands and groups, concerts of classical, folk and jazz music, among the concerts that will enliven these festivities are top national pop artists such as Fito y Fitipaldis, Najwajean, Alejo Stivel, La Fuga or Nancys Rubias, Vanesa Martín, Amaia Montero and Mikel Erentxun.
Nancys Rubias. Author: 20minutos
WINE
And, of course, wine has a special place in the programme of the San Mateo Festivities. Exhibitions, tasting courses, wine competitions, cultural routes related to the world of wine... The range of activities on offer for wine lovers multiplies in La Rioja with the arrival of the Grape Harvest Festival. The main attraction of this offer is the visit to Museum Vivanco of Wine Culture and Wineries Vivancothe best wine museum in the world, just 35 km from Logroño.
