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La Voz de Madrid

Community of Madrid Declares Zarzuela and Transhumance as Cultural Heritage Assets

Protection extends to historical and artistic elements such as the walled enclosure of Villarejo de Salvanés and significant artworks.

Generic image of a zarzuela stage with velvet curtains and empty seats.
IA

Generic image of a zarzuela stage with velvet curtains and empty seats.

The Community of Madrid has elevated zarzuela and transhumance to the category of Assets of Cultural Interest (BIC), recognizing their value as intangible heritage and ensuring their preservation for future generations.

This decision by the regional government aims to safeguard the rich cultural and historical legacy represented by these manifestations, considering them an integral part of the regional identity. In addition to these two elements, protection is extended to other highly relevant assets.
Zarzuela, a musical genre that originated in Madrid during the 17th century as court entertainment, has evolved into a popular symbol. Its melodies, characters, and texts have left a profound mark on the collective imagination. Despite the passage of time, this genre has remained vibrant in Madrid's theaters, adapting to different audiences and reflecting characteristic aspects of local culture.
Between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, zarzuela experienced a resurgence thanks to composers like Federico Chueca and Joaquín Valverde, who created iconic works such as La Revoltosa, La Gran Vía, and La verbena de la Paloma.
For its part, transhumance, a deeply rooted social phenomenon in history, involves the seasonal movement of livestock (sheep, goats, and cattle) in search of better climatic conditions and suitable pastures. In 2023, UNESCO included it in its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, highlighting its social, architectural, and landscape impact, visible in infrastructures such as huts and corrals.
Among the tangible assets that will also receive maximum protection as BIC are the walled enclosure and the keep in Villarejo de Salvanés, as well as the Flemish tapestry Saint Paul Burning Books, attributed to Pieter Coecke van Aelst. This tapestry is the only surviving piece from an original series of nine woven with gold and silver threads, illustrating three key moments in the life of Saint Paul.
Furthermore, the Sociedad de Condueños of Alcalá de Henares, a non-profit organization founded in 1851 to preserve the buildings of the former University of Alcalá, will be declared a BIC. This recognition underscores the community's effort to conserve an important heritage for educational purposes.
Finally, the status of Asset of Patrimonial Interest (BIP) will be granted to the painting Lamentation over the Dead Christ (Planctus Mariae), also known as The Deposition of Christ, a work by the Italian painter Paolo de San Leocadio, dated between 1507 and 1508. A ceramic mural created by César Manrique in Madrid in 1954 will also be protected, being a pioneer in the capital for its fusion of art and architecture with Cubist influence.

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