Castilla y León is a traditional region, but undoubtedly the most important tradition of all is the one celebrated on April 23rd in Villalar de los Comuneros in order to celebrate Castilla y León’s day.
Its origin dates back to 1521, during the well-known Villalar battle. An armed conflict between the supporters of Charles I of Spain and the comunero army led by Bravo, Padilla and Maldonado.
From that day, the lives of inhabitants were marked by the history of Castilla y León. Villalar de los Comuneros became the cradle of this region, in which every April 23rd the ones who died in that battle fighting for justice are honored, the most important celebration of Castilla y León.
There is a song that has become a hymn for the ones who decide to attend Villalar on this date. It is named “Castilla, canto de esperanza” and it reads like this:
1521 y en Abril para más señas, en Villalar ajustician a quienes justicia pidiera.
¡Malditos sean aquellos que firmaron la sentencia!
¡Malditos todos aquellos los que ajusticiar quisieran al que luchó por el pueblo y perdió tan justa guerra!
Desde entonces ya Castilla no se ha vuelto a levantar ¡ay, ay! no se ha vuelto a levantar en manos de rey bastardo o de regente falaz, ¡ay, ay! o de regente falaz, siempre añorando una junta o esperando un capitán ¡ay, ay! o esperando un capitán.
Quién sabe si las cigüeñas han de volver por San Blas, si las heladas de Marzo los brotes se han de llevar, si las llamas comuneras otra vez repicarán: cuanto más vieja la yesca, más fácil se prenderá. Cuanto más vieja la yesca y más duro el pedernal: si los pinares ardieron, ¡aún nos queda el encinar!
There is no better summary of what happened during 1521 than this song written by Luis López Álvarez.
Currently, Villalar during the celebration bustles with stands in which drinks, traditional food and dances and music are the protagonists of the day.
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