Madrid celebrates the 29th Transhumance Festival

Alliance for Mediterranean Nature & Culture (AMNC)

2 November 2022
World Migratory Bird Day celebrated at SPNL’s Himas across Lebanon
  • AMNC partner Trashumancia y Naturaleza, together with the Madrid City Council, organised the 29th Transhumance Festival on Sunday, October 23.
  • The festival involves the passage of herds with their shepherds through the center of the capital.
  • 1,200 merino sheep and 200 red goats from the herd of the Council of the Mesta demanded the improvement of livestock trails and support for transhumant grazing, as a priority for generating employment in rural areas and controlling forest fires.
World Migratory Bird Day celebrated at SPNL’s Himas across Lebanon

The festival began in 1994 and has since become one of the most anticipated autum events for the residents of the city.

Through this event, the conservation of cattle trails and the visibility of grazing and extensive livestock farming are enhanced, to achieve sustainable development of the entire national territory and its adaptation to climate change.

World Migratory Bird Day celebrated at SPNL’s Himas across Lebanon
World Migratory Bird Day celebrated at SPNL’s Himas across Lebanon

On Friday, October 21, the flock of the Council of the Mesta arrived at the Casa de Campo through the Puerta del Arroyo Meaques, to spend the weekend in the livestock area of ​​Valdeza, starring in various educational activities on Friday and Saturday related to migratory grazing.

On Sunday, October 23, the transhumant herds were joined by representatives of ranchers with native breeds as well as popular culture groups from various Spanish regions linked by livestock trails. 

This event was conducted simultaneous to similar efforts by the muleteers of the Argentine province of Mendoza, who practice transhumance with large herds of goats in the Andes mountains.

The festival not only celebrates pastoral culture but also calls for more aid for the survival of the rural world, essential for the protection of biodiversity and the mitigation of forest fires.

World Migratory Bird Day celebrated at SPNL’s Himas across Lebanon