Did you know that today, 9 June, is the Day of La Rioja? Do you know why it is this day and not any other?
In the following post we are going to take a brief look at the history and origin of this Community and we will also show you the different activities that will take place in the municipalities of La Rioja to commemorate this important and special day for all the people of La Rioja.
History of La Rioja
As you already know, La Rioja is an Autonomous Community of Spain located in the north of the country, covering a large part of the Ebro valley in the north and the Iberian system in the south. Geographically it is divided by 7 rivers and is therefore known as "the one of the 7 valleys". Traditionally, it is divided into 3 sub-regions that run from west to east, following the course of the Ebro river, and thus we find La Rioja Alta, La Rioja Media and La Rioja Baja. To the north it borders with the Basque Country, to the northwest with Navarre, to the southeast with Aragon and with Castile and Leon to the west and south.
If we take a look at the past, we come across a region that has been a border crossing, a land of passage, a field of struggles, a crossroads, a meeting place for cultures, peoples and civilisations . Here are some of the most important events:
- Until the arrival of the Romans in the 2nd century BC, La Rioja was occupied by three tribes: the Berones, the Pelendones and the Vascones. It was later invaded by the Muslims at the beginning of the 8th century, and after the reconquest at the beginning of the 10th century, the region became part of the Kingdom of Navarre.
Roman remains in Varea. Photo: Jynus
- The Rioja would pass from Castilian to Navarrese hands and vice versa on numerous occasions until the end of the 14th century.
- In later times, important historical events took place, such as: the siege of Logroño by Asparrot's troops in 1521; the writing of the Historical Compendium of La Rioja in 1701; the uprisings in Logroño and Fuenmayor against the French troops in 1808 during the Spanish War of Independence in 1808.
- In the middle of the 18th century and after the war of succession with the subsequent arrival of the Bourbons in Spain, the division of Spanish territory took place, but in the French way in an attempt to improve the administration of the state, while others sought the territorial unification of La Rioja, which was achieved during the liberal triennium in 1820, at which time the ".Province of La Rioja".
- On 30 November 1833, with the division of Spain into provinces carried out by Javier Burgos, administrative unity was definitively achieved. La Rioja was constituted under the name of "Province of Logroño".
- La Rioja was established as a single-province Autonomous Community during the transition to democracy after the inhabitants rejected the option of joining other regions and so the Statute of Autonomy was signed on 9 June 1982, and from that year onwards the Day of La Rioja was celebrated on that date.
Symbols of the identity of La Rioja
- Flag: composed of 4 horizontal stripes of the same size and different colours; red (referring to wine), white (to rivers and sky), green (to orchards, mountains, forests and fields), yellow (to lands and monuments).
- Coat of arms: a split coat of arms, stamped with the closed royal crown and with different symbols referring to the Community.
Author: Eldelcarro
- Hymn: it is a musical composition called 'La Rioja' composed by the maestro Eliseo Pinedo López.
- Medal of La Rioja: this is another symbol of La Rioja's identity and is the highest award that the Government of La Rioja can bestow on institutions. It is presented on 9 June, the Day of La Rioja, in San Millán de la Cogolla as part of the institutional ceremony commemorating the region's anniversary.
We cannot overlook the fact that the love of wine in this region, the gastronomy, the palaeontological, historical and environmental richness are also authentic signs of the identity of La Rioja.
Activities for La Rioja Day 2017
The 9th of June, the Day of La Rioja, is celebrated in all the towns and villages of the Community with many leisure and cultural activities in which the folklore of La Rioja will be very present with a programme called "Folklore in the streets".
- Santa Coloma (8 June): this is the place where the opening speech for the Day of La Rioja will take place, because the convention of 59 localities in which the creation of a province for the natural region of La Rioja was demanded took place in this same locality.
- San Millán de la Cogolla (9 June): in the courtyard of the Monastery of Yuso, at 12 noon, the institutional ceremony for the Day of La Rioja will take place, with the awarding of the Medals of La Rioja, the presentation of the Award for the Arts of La Rioja and the subsequent speech by the President of the Autonomous Community of La Rioja.
Author: cenobio
- Alfaro (from 8 June to 10 June): different festivals and performances will take place in which Riojan folklore, as mentioned above, is the main protagonist.
- Arnedo (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 and 11 June): parades, theatres, dance festivals, etc.
- Calahorra (Friday 9 June): popular hot chocolate, workshops and games for the little ones, popular dances, various games, paellada and popular snack and many other activities.
- Cervera del Río Alhama (9 June): inflatables and water bull for children, popular food, charanga, bull run by the Enrique Merino bull-ranch and street party.
- Haro (from 2 June to Sunday 11 June): theatre, sports activities (tournaments), activities for children, popular music and folklore, mobile disco, etc.
- Logroño (9 June): La Rioja Day for children, re-enactment of the siege of Logroño, parades, "Singing to Logroño", etc.
- Nájera (9 June): parades, popular food, children's games, concerts, etc.
- Santo Domingo de la Calzada (9 and 10 June): family children's show, football, chocolate and cakes, women's pelota tournament, among other activities.
- Torrecilla en Cameros (9 June): parade, children's playground, musical vermouth, brotherhood meal, dance session with DJ, children's bull run.
Everything is ready for the celebration of the big day of La Rioja, tradition and history that survive, that coexist in the present, signs of identity that are maintained, that are felt and that are lived in every corner of the community. Are you going to miss it?
