During the weekend of May 8th, 9th, and 10th, Leganés will immerse itself in a 19th-century atmosphere, reviving traditions and historical events. The Mayas Festival, recognized as a Cultural Interest Asset by the Community of Madrid, will be one of the main pillars of this celebration. Additionally, a tribute will be paid to the Rejón Brothers with a theatrical historical reenactment that incorporates more characters each year.
One of the main novelties of this edition is the arrival of the Gabarreros of El Espinar Festival, declared a Regional Tourist Interest Festival. This celebration pays homage to the ancient forest workers dedicated to collecting firewood, adding an ethnographic and cultural component to the event.
“"This is a unique weekend of the year, where Leganés transforms to revive its history and highlight our roots. During these days, residents and visitors will be able to enjoy a wide program with historical activities that turn the city into an authentic journey to the year 1808."
The traditional Goyaesque Market, which this year will be located in the Plaza del Milenio, will offer a wider and more comfortable space for visitors. It will feature parades, continuous entertainment, children's games, and a carefully selected array of craft and gastronomy stalls, recreating the atmosphere of early 19th-century Madrid.
The tribute to the Rejón Brothers, local heroes in the fight against the Napoleonic invasion during the War of Independence of 1808, will be enriched by the incorporation of two local figures: Nicomedes Soto Garrote and Pedro Díaz Vicenti. The event will begin on Saturday at 5:30 PM in the Plaza de San Nicasio and will tour several streets of the municipality, concluding in the Plaza Mayor.
After the historical tribute, around 6:45 PM, the Mayas Festival will begin, featuring the participation of the Ukrainian Children's Choir Peredzvin. The Regional Houses of Leganés will create altars decorated with rich floral and symbolic elements, where traditional music and dance performances will take place, with girls dressed in typical costumes presiding over these spaces.
The Gabarreros of El Espinar Festival, starting on Saturday at 12:00 PM, will include demonstrations of high-altitude and ground-level woodcutting, notably the spectacular felling of a pine tree in the square, turning the trade into a skill sport. This initiative aims to strengthen the sense of belonging to Leganés and project the city's name nationally.
