Glossary for understanding our fiestas:

“Romería” . This is a characteristic type of fiesta combining religiosity (mass accompanied by a procession) and secular festivities (open-air dance and snack bars, folklore –bagpipe players and “muiñeira” dances- etc). Those attending “romerías” are called “romeros”, who come in search of some kind of favour. They therefore offer the saint a gift or ex-voto, which are normally made of wax and auctioned (to finance the upkeep of the church). This is the case of the San Lázaro “romería” , to which people still take pig's trotters, a tradition that has resulted in an exquisite gastronomic recipe that is typically made in the area on the saint's feast day: pig's trotters with cabbage shoots.

“Bombas de palenque”. In almost all of Santiago's fiestas, you can hear an abundance of loud firecrackers going off all day; this reminds everybody –residents, visitors and the inhabitants of nearby villages- that there is a fiesta in the city, while also serving to honour the saint. This is also the purpose of the fireworks during the city's most important fiesta: that of the Apostle Santiago.

The “muiñeira” (traditional Galician dance), the music of “gaitas” (bagpipes), “pulpeiras” (women that prepare octopus at temporary stands set up during the fiesta), “rosquilleras” (women selling ring-shaped pastry)… are other traditional features that still form an important part of the city's fiestas.

It is also worth mentioning the close relationship that has always existed between fiestas –both religious and pagan- and gastronomy. Thus, each festivity has its own gastronomic traditions and recipes , which reflect the excellent quality of Galician produce.