Religious Carnival of the Souls of Valdeverdeja

A 17TH CENTURY TRADITION THAT TAKES PLACE IN VALDEVERDEJA ON 18 and 19 FEBRUARY 2023

The Carnival of Valdeverdeja or Carnestolendas Verdejas is currently celebrated during the three days before Ash Wednesday; It begins on Sunday, although preparations begin months before with the formation of the Children’s and Adult Cheerleaders Squads and the rehearsal of the Soldadesca dance;

A RELIGIOUS AND ETHNOGRAPHIC FESTIVITY THAT REVOLVES AROUND THE DANCE OF THE SOLDADESCA WHOSE PROTAGONISM IS THE LEADING role of the ESCUADRA DE ÁNIMAS AND THE ANIMEROS

On Carnival Sunday the Escuadra de Ánimas, with the pairs of Animeros who are going to take part in the Soldadesca Dance, gather in the town’s Plaza Mayor with the civil and religious authorities to go to the parish church.

The Escuadra is composed of the Tamborilero who leads the procession playing redobles; the Abanderado who performs the games with the flag and the Animeros and Animeras who will be in charge of performing the dance called “TO TO TÓN” later on. Some jotas extremeñas or manchegas are also danced, giving more joy and movement if possible.

AN EXCITING FESTIVAL LISTED OF REGIONAL TOURIST INTEREST WITH TRADITIONAL DANCES AND COSTUMBRISTIC MOMENTS OF GREAT CULTURAL VALUE

After lunch, the “correr del gallo” takes place, which is one of the most exciting moments of the fiesta with the participation of many young men on horseback. In the afternoon, the official presentation of the Encuentro takes place with the performance of the different participating cuadrillas.

MORE INFORMATION

https://valdeverdeja.es/evento/carnaval-de-animas-2020-interes-turistico-regional/