Valdepeñas will celebrate All Saints' Day with a variety of activities, including guided tours, alongside the return of 'La noche de Finaos: Where the dead walk through the rooftops' on 1 November. This event, which has been held for over a decade, takes place on the evening of 1 November and is organised by the Folklore Association Raigambre in collaboration with the Valdepeñas Town Hall.
Vanessa Irla, the Deputy Mayor for Culture, expressed her gratitude to the association for their efforts, stating, "They not only contribute to this night of finaos but also help preserve our traditions and enhance the local culture of Valdepeñas." She emphasised the importance of remembering the oral traditions passed down from grandparents to grandchildren, encouraging the community to keep these stories alive beyond the pages of books and bring them back to the streets.
The night of the dead event will be held at the Gregorio Prieto Mills Museum on Wednesday, 1 November, from 18:00 to 19:00, featuring children's sessions every 20 minutes. Luis Miguel Ferrero, president of Raigambre, noted, "Some of the stories you will hear this Sunday night come fresh from what we've been told, even though they say they are quite scary." He explained that these tales are collected from elderly residents, who often warn, "A night of finaos is not a night to go out." However, the event aims to showcase traditions that have largely been forgotten.
This year's promotional poster for the Night of Finaos references the pañideras, women historically hired to mourn and dramatise grief during funerals and wakes in exchange for payment or goods. Free registrations to attend the Night of Finaos are currently open at the Valdepeñas Tourist Office.
