Argamasilla de Alba celebrated its second local history days, an initiative launched by the town hall through its cultural department, aimed at recovering, conserving, and transmitting the historical and cultural heritage of the municipality. The programme combined education, traditions, heritage, and community through various activities held in the Plaza de España and the Casa de Medrano.
The day began in the morning at the Plaza de España with a second-hand market, open from 10:00 to 20:30, where residents and visitors could find collectibles, crafts, historical items, and second-hand goods. This allowed the material heritage and objects linked to past eras to be incorporated into an event designed to reflect on history from different perspectives.
In the afternoon, activities moved to the Casa de Medrano's auditorium, where the councillor for culture, María José Díaz, opened the event, emphasising the importance of preserving the municipality's roots and identity. She stated that history should not only be remembered but also 'listened to, felt, and transmitted.'
The first presentation focused on the folklore, dances, and music of Argamasilla de Alba, led by Pablo Martín Rodríguez and Tomás Almarcha Minaya from the Grupo de Folklore Mancha Verde. They provided an extensive overview of various manifestations of local popular culture. Pablo Martín highlighted the need to adapt customs to modern times without losing their essence, stating, 'What we need to do together is to continue with our traditions because when a town loses its traditions, it loses its history.'
During the presentation, traditions such as the bonfires of San Antón, the carnival, Holy Week, and the Feast of the Virgin of Peñarroya were recalled, among others. The session included videos and objects related to these popular manifestations, allowing the audience to connect with their history and the ways they have been lived and passed down through generations. Special attention was given to the work done by Mancha Verde over decades to research and preserve the dances, music, and customs of Argamasilla de Alba.
The second presentation delved into the history of the Municipal Music Band of Argamasilla de Alba. The councillor for culture presented research conducted by José Carretón Moya, covering the period from 1930 to 1979. The talk reconstructed nearly half a century of the band's history through documentation and historical photographs, addressing the municipal agreement in 1930 to create a music band, the acquisition of the first instruments, and the formation of musicians.
It also highlighted the challenges faced during the Spanish Civil War and the subsequent reorganisation of the group, as well as the contributions of various directors, particularly Vicente Martín Díaz, a key figure in the band's history.
The local tradition of music would later be revived with the establishment of the Agrupación Musical Maestro Martín Díaz in 1993. At the conclusion of the presentations, María José Díaz thanked the speakers, families, municipal workers, and the public, emphasising that events like these gain significance through the efforts of those willing to 'preserve, research, remember, and transmit' the local legacy.
Mayor Sonia González underscored the importance of recognising and valuing what has contributed to shaping Argamasilla de Alba's identity and reaffirmed the town hall's commitment to continuing the local history days.
After the presentations, the programme continued with a night guided tour of Argamasilla de Alba, based on Pilar Serrano's book about legends, rites, and events in the town, offering a unique perspective on various historical sites and stories. The activities concluded with a tasting of local products, marking the end of a day where history was present not only through documents, photographs, and research but also through traditions, spaces, objects, and gastronomy.
The second local history days thus provided a comprehensive view of Argamasilla de Alba's heritage, bringing together historical research, popular culture, and community participation with a shared goal: to preserve and transmit to future generations the memories, knowledge, and traditions that are part of the municipality's identity.
