The Concha Espina Municipal Theatre is set to premiere the documentary ‘Cien años de Picayos’ on 29 October at 20:00. This production, directed by Fran Querol, explores the history of the Virgen de las Nieves Dance Group from Tanos and is part of the celebrations marking the centenary of the group's first photograph, taken in 1926 at the Plaza de Toros in Santander.
During a presentation held earlier today, Esther Vélez, the Councillor for Culture; José Luis Olarreaga, the director of the Virgen de las Nieves Dance Group; and Fran Querol discussed the film, which has a runtime of approximately 90 minutes. The documentary features testimonies from various generations, historical photographs, recordings, and recreations of significant moments in the group's history.
Vélez congratulated the team behind the initiative for their efforts and encouraged the public to attend the premiere. Olarreaga noted that creating this documentary was a key project for the centenary celebrations. He stated, “When we wanted to design the events to celebrate, this was one that could not be missed.” He also recalled that the 1926 photograph marked the beginning of an era for the group and highlighted that the documentary would showcase the evolution of the organisation from its early members to the current children in the group.
Querol explained that the project is the result of a year’s work, aiming to “recover and preserve” the memories of those who have been part of the group. He emphasised the importance of documenting a century of history. To produce the film, 30 interviews were conducted with former members of the group, including 100-year-old Milagros Revuelta Fernández, recently deceased 97-year-old Gerardo Revuelta, and 96-year-old Lorenzo Guerra.
Querol also highlighted some notable content from the documentary, including a historical recreation of the Tanos dancers' participation before Charles I in San Vicente de la Barquera in 1517. This sequence features actress María Castillo and members of the group dressed in period costumes made in 2017. Another significant moment captured in the documentary is the group's return to the Plaza de Toros in Santander, the site of the 1926 photograph that inspired the centenary celebrations, depicted through impressive aerial drone footage.
The production also references other events organised this year for the centenary, such as a float and the release of doves, and includes the song ‘Con los pies en esta tierra’, composed by Nando Agüeros specifically for the celebration.
Tickets for the premiere are free but must be reserved in advance through the usual channels of the Concha Espina Municipal Theatre or at the box office two hours before the screening.
