Galician Town Hosts Massive Carnival Parade: 50+ Groups Celebrate Ancestral Traditions

Viana do Bolo Hosts Spectacular Carnival Parade Viana do Bolo, Galicia, Spain – On May 18, 2025, the town of Viana do Bolo played host to a vibrant and colorful carnival parade, drawing in over 50 groups from across the Iberian Peninsula. The event celebrated ancestral traditions, showcasing a remarkable array of masks and costumes. Participants expressed the significance of preserving these age-old customs, emphasizing their cultural heritage and community bonds. "My father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and even my great-great-grandfather dressed like this," explained one participant, highlighting the generational continuity of the tradition. Another added, "Each year we try to increase visibility and bring in more groups to truly celebrate the traditions and identity of our people." The parade featured a wide variety of costumes, from traditional devil masks to elaborate animal representations, demonstrating the rich diversity of carnival traditions across the region. The event was a resounding success, attracting large crowds and showcasing the cultural vibrancy of Galicia and its connections to other parts of the Iberian Peninsula. The preservation of these ancestral traditions underscores the importance of cultural heritage and its role in shaping community identity.