Welcome
Carnival in
Vilariño de Conso
"Boteiros, lardeiro and lardeira, fulión and fuliadas,” Compadres and Comadres Thursday, and the ”Festa do Cabrito” all contribute to an unforgettable celebration.
The Carnival in Vilariño de Conso
The Entroido is one of the main festivities—if not the main one—of the municipality of Vilariño de Conso.
It is a celebration of ancestral origins that last over two weeks, blending tradition with modernity.
The festival has maintained its social character and serves as a unifying force for the parishes within the municipality and for the municipality itself with neighboring towns.
It is also an exemplar of both material and immaterial culture, characterized by a profound sense of amusement.
"Boteiros, lardeiro and lardeira, fulión and fuliadas,” Compadres and Comadres Thursday, and the ”Festa do Cabrito” all contribute to an unforgettable celebration.
Origin and history
It is difficult to trace the exact origin of the Entroido of Vilariño de Conso. In general terms, it is said that its roots date back to the Roman era. The traditional costumes of the region carry meanings tied to medieval culture. However, the celebration is mainly linked to the pagan rituals of the castrexa people, marking the farewell to winter and the arrival of spring.
It is likely that the development of the Entroido of Vilariño de Conso followed a similar path to that of other nearby towns, such as Viana do Bolo, Manzaneda, and even Xinzo de Limia. The origins of the festival can be traced back to these ancient pagan celebrations associated with seasonal changes, influenced by Roman, Celtic, or Greek traditions. Over time, these festivities were shaped by Christianity, which fixed them on the calendar and incorporated certain religious rites while preserving their festive spirit.
A synonym for social commitment
The organization of the Entroido of Vilariño de Conso brings together various forces and groups from the municipality, including the local administration and residents, whether individually, in groups, or represented through the Xuntos polo Fulión Association, which collaborates in organizing part of the festivities.
This association, founded in 2013, was created to preserve and maintain the cultural and natural heritage of Galicia, specifically that of Vilariño de Conso.
The Vive Vilariño Cultural, Social, Sports, Recreational, Ecological, Women's, Inclusion, and Rural Association, established in 2019, was founded with the goal of promoting the region’s cultural traditions, including the Entroido.
Festa do Cabrito
In its 36th edition, the “Festa do Cabrito” solidifies its position as one of the central events of the Carnival in Vilariño de Conso.
This celebration began in 1988, a year in which the surplus of this product necessitated finding an alternative means of distribution. Carnival was chosen as the date for the festival due to it being a period when this food typically experiences low sales.
Over the decades, the “Festa do Cabrito” has evolved with minor adjustments: whereas it was originally held on Fat Sunday or Carnival Sunday, in recent times it has been moved to Saturday. This decision was made to avoid overlapping with the festivities of Viana do Bolo and Manzaneda, towns with which Vilariño is promoting a joint celebration, known as the "magic triangle" of Carnival in the Central Massif of the province of Ourense.
In addition to its gastronomic character, the festival is imbued with cultural significance. The “cabrito” (young goat) is one of the traditional animals of the area, with a key role in the traditional economy based on high mountain grazing, an activity that is still practiced in few municipalities in Galicia. Furthermore, this food is roasted in the characteristic wood-fired oven, as it has been done for decades.
Characters of the Entroido
This figure of the Vilariño de Conso Carnival connects with the tradition of other carnival protagonists in the province of Ourense. Each village in Vilariño has its own” boteiro”, a man or woman from the locality.
Their attire is characterized by an elaborately decorated white shirt, adorned with ribbons of various colors sewn in gathers, worn with a tie. The trousers are red satin with sewn fringes, paired with a belt with bells.
The mask consists of a mask, complete with mustache, sideburns, and beard, and a rectangular screen with drawings that vary in each parish. The attire of the “boteir”o from “Mormentelos” differs, with a hat-like structure instead of the mask from Vilariño and loose ribbons on the shirt.
They carry a monca in their hand, a rod or stick, with which they pave the way for the fulión, who leads the way.
The fulión or folión consists of a group of people of all ages from the same village. This group travels through the streets of neighboring towns playing drums and bass drums, which are made in the municipality itself, as well as sickles and other farming tools.
In Vilariño de Conso, each parish or village has a different sound that identifies and sets it apart from the rest of the population centers, a tradition passed down from generation to generation.
Traditionally, those participating in the same fulión dress in the same attire: corduroy trousers and vest, linen shirt, a beret or hat, and "galochos."
In Vilariño, the highlight of the fulión parade is Carnival Saturday, when a parade is held featuring groups from all the parishes and neighboring municipalities.
The “fuliadas or foliadas” has the tradition of popular humor and mockery that characterize the carnival season. Here, various satirical and burlesque pieces are performed, usually in verse, with one or more individuals dressed in disguise.
A master of ceremonies is responsible for presenting and linking the different performances, as well as closing the event by apologizing in case anyone has felt offended by the foliada.
Carnival in Vilariño de Conso is a typical representation of the province of Ourense. Although it was lost in Vilariño de Conso for several years, efforts have been made to revive it in recent years.
Carnival in Vilariño de Conso begins the week before the actual Carnival. The Thursday of that week is Compadres Thursday, which is nine days before Carnival Saturday. Here, women hang a doll dressed in men's clothing from the village, which the men must try to take down. Battles between people of both sexes are organized, traditionally involving the use of flour.
The following Thursday, two days before Carnival Saturday, is “Comadres Thursday”, where roles are reversed, and men make the doll while women must retrieve it.
Today, these celebrations are complemented with a dinner on each of the days: the "Compadres Dinner" and the "Comadres Dinner." It is also common for these celebrations to be moved to the following Friday.
These figures are the protagonists of “Compadres Thursday and Comadres Thursday”. On Compares Thursday, women create the “lardeiro”, a doll traditionally made of straw and dressed in clothing stolen from the men of the village. The following week, 4 it is the lardeira's turn, prepared by men and dressed in women's clothing from the village.
“Lardeiro and lardeira” are hung in one of the highest points of the village. Typically, these figures remain on display during the Carnival festivities until they are burned on Carnival Tuesday to be buried on “Ash Wednesday”.
Starting the Carnival
Entroido Vilariño de Conso 2025
Carnival in Vilariño De Conso
2025 Activities Calendar
Discovering Vilariño de Conso
Vilariño de Conso is located in the heart of the mountainous region, with elevations ranging from 630 meters to over 1,500 meters above sea level. Its landscape showcases interesting contrasts, offering a variety of options for those interested in nature activities or simply enjoying the surroundings. In this sense, O Invernadeiro, one of the six natural parks in Galicia, deserves special mention.
More info
For more information about dates and events of the Carnival in Vilariño de Conso, please contact the Town Hall of the locality.
Phone: 34 988 340 302 / 34 988 340 410
concello.vilarinodeconso@eidolocal.es
Rúa Museo, 3
32557 Vilariño de Conso
