This festivity, more than just a date on the calendar, represents a profound cycle change that the inhabitants of Colmenar Viejo experience with renewed devotion. The central theme of the day is the welcome of light and fertility, embodied by the town's girls and the abundant floral decoration that graces the historic center.
“"This celebration symbolizes the awakening of nature after the winter months and the arrival of spring, a moment that residents eagerly await."
The councillor highlights that the event annually gathers thousands of people who seek to reconnect with a tradition that, far from stagnating, preserves the spirit and identity of Colmenar. The event transcends the local sphere, becoming a tourist attraction that celebrates life in its purest state.
The central figure of the festival is the Maya, a girl dressed in her finest attire who presides over a floral altar with absolute stillness. Her clothing, rich in detail and symbolism, includes petticoats, a white shirt, and a Manila shawl, the latter worn reversed to distinguish her from her companions. The Maya must remain motionless and silent, like a living statue embodying future prosperity. Meanwhile, her companions enliven the atmosphere, symbolically cleaning passersby's clothes with brushes and chanting the traditional refrain: “Para La Maya, para La Maya, que es bonita y galana” (For La Maya, for La Maya, who is beautiful and elegant), a request for donations that fosters interaction between the ritual and the public.
The preparation of the altars, considered ephemeral art, begins weeks before May 2nd. Families traverse the Colmenar countryside to observe the growth of native species and plan the floral architecture that will only last a few hours. The collection takes place the day before, in an atmosphere of family togetherness. On the morning of the festivity, the parents of each Maya assemble the altars, where local biodiversity takes center stage. Wildflowers such as broom, poppies, daisies, and rosemary mix with hawthorn, laurel, and honeysuckle, alongside cultivated flowers like roses and petunias. All are arranged on a quilt, an inherited trousseau piece that adds incalculable historical and sentimental value to the composition.
The program of events for May 2nd includes the May 2nd Concert at 12:00h in the Plaza del Pueblo, performed by the Colmenar Viejo Symphonic Band. From 17:00h, the six participating Mayas can be visited in key locations such as Feria Street, the Plaza del Pueblo, the Chapel of Santa Ana, and the portico of Marqués de Santillana Street. The atmosphere will be enlivened by the dulzaina group Aires Castellanos and the choir Colmenar Canta. The day will culminate with a floral offering at the Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady at 19:00h, followed by the diploma ceremony in the main square.
The La Maya Festival has evolved from a period of decline after the Spanish Civil War to its current recognition. Thanks to the impetus of the Colmenar Viejo City Council in the late seventies, the tradition was recovered. This effort has been rewarded with important distinctions: since 2005, it has been a Festival of Regional Tourist Interest, and in 2023, the Community of Madrid declared it an Asset of Cultural Interest in the Cultural Event category. This recognition ensures the preservation of the festival for future generations, maintaining the worship of nature and prosperity as a pillar of the mountain identity.
Despite its antiquity, the festivity remains in constant evolution. The Department of Festivities seeks to improve the experience for residents and tourists, encouraging active family participation. Those interested in their daughters being part of this tradition can contact the council through festejos@colmenarviejo.com. This openness aims for the festival's growth and adaptation to new times, always respecting its roots and offering young people a unique opportunity to understand the value of nature and shared heritage.
In an increasingly digitized world, events like the La Maya Festival act as anchors connecting us to the land and our history. The image of a motionless girl surrounded by flowers in the historic center of Colmenar Viejo possesses extraordinary visual and symbolic power, reminding us that, despite technological advancements, the cycle of seasons and the awakening of spring remain reasons for celebration and hope. The combination of music, color, and popular devotion makes this town an essential destination for May 2nd, a tribute to the ephemeral beauty of flowers and the permanence of community values.
