Our Lady of La Vega Festival in Haro
Haro honours Our Lady of La Vega through festivities in which Marian devotion, wine culture and the city's peñas all play a leading role. The first-must offering, Lantern Rosary, music, food tastings and Jira form a sequence of events particular to Haro.
Usual date
The central feast day is 8 September. Popular events generally fill the first part of September and culminate around the 12th, while the novena begins in late August.
Where it is held
The Basilica of Nuestra Señora de la Vega is the centre of the main religious observances. Plaza de la Paz and the streets of La Herradura regularly host popular festivities, which also extend to parks, gardens and venues across Haro, the Riscos de Bilibio and Fuente El Moro.
Events honouring the patron
On the eve of the feast, the municipal corporation walks to the basilica for Vespers and the solemn Salve. On 8 September, the pontifical Mass is followed by grape-treading, the offering of the first must, a flower offering and a compliment competition. Later, the sumptuous Rosario de Faroles de Cristal — a Festival of Regional Tourist Interest — leaves the basilica, with the singing of the Salve, the traditional hand-kissing ceremony and the distribution of ears of wheat.
The Jira and the peñas
The traditional finale takes the peñas and their brass bands to Fuente El Moro for the country outing known as the Jira. A caldereta cooking competition, workshops and communal gathering fill the day; torches and fire bulls feature on the return, before the Entierro de la Cuba. The Cachondeo, Los Veteranos, Iturri and La Jarana peñas make prominent contributions to the programme.
Traditions and atmosphere
- Offering the first grape must and flowers to Our Lady of La Vega.
- The Rosario de Faroles de Cristal and singing of the Salve.
- Giants, big-headed figures, brass bands, peñas and food tastings.
- A float parade, music and family activities.
- The Jira to Fuente El Moro, torches, fire bulls and Entierro de la Cuba.
A festival connected with wine
Haro's wine identity is visible in the grape-treading, must offering, tastings and many street gatherings. These do not displace the festival's religious centre; instead, they express the relationship between the city, its surroundings, the harvest and Rioja wine culture.
Sources
Today's international trade fair
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