The festival
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The festival
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The festival
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The festival
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History
The Mussel and Cockle Festival was born in 1994 from the desire of Vilanova de Arousa’s A Pastoriza Fishermen’s Guild to promote one of the sectors with the highest production in the town.
In addition, it was made to coincide in time with the celebration of the Day of El Carmen, patron saint of sailors, something that has been maintained to this day.
Since that first festival, there has always been a commitment to highlighting both products through delicious preparations. In fact, the first festival featured the chef Paco Feixó – well known at the time – who coordinated the preparation of the different sauces that would accompany the products. The price per dish was set at 100 pesetas. Likewise, the tasting of the bivalves has been harmonized with another of the products par excellence of the municipality: the wines of the D.O. Rías Baixas.
The first Mussel and Cockle Festival took place in the garden located in front of the Fisherman’s House and brought together more than 8,000 visitors. On August 14, 1994, 6,000 kilos of mussels and 2,000 kilos of cockles were consumed, exceeding all the expectations generated for this event.
With the passage of time, other activities such as Gold and Diamond Badges were incorporated. Awards that since 1997 seek to recognize the work carried out by different institutions, associations and entities in favour of the promotion of the star products of the municipality and the sea sector. Currently, about 80 people are members of this outstanding group.
The progressive increase in popularity of the Mussel and Cockle Festival of Vilanova de Arousa led to this event being recognized in 2014 as a Galician Festival of Tourist Interest. As with the number of visitors, the event also increased its program until it reached almost a week of intense activity in which different types of activities are combined, but always having food tasting and the sea procession in honour of the Virgen del Carmen as a common denominator.
