On Sunday, October 19th, Madrid, Spain welcomed its annual Transhumance Festival, also known as the Transhumance or Pastoral Festival. Shepherds dressed in traditional attire led thousands of sheep and goats through the streets and squares of the city center, with locals, tourists, and children eager to catch a glimpse of the animals lining the streets, creating a lively atmosphere.
The bustling main streets and important squares of Madrid, usually filled with people and cars, were suddenly overtaken by large herds of sheep, creating a surreal juxtaposition of traditional herding practices against a modern urban backdrop. During this meaningful festival, both people and vehicles had to make way for the passing of the bleating sheep.
Many shepherds in traditional attire danced and played music along the route, adding to the festive atmosphere with the sounds of sheep bleating and the clear ringing of bells around their necks.
This annual folk festival, launched in 1994, aims to commemorate and preserve the seasonal livestock migrations that have been taking place since the Middle Ages, advocating for the protection of the traditional transhumance routes spanning approximately 125,000 kilometers in the region.
In Spain, as the seasons transition from summer to winter, shepherds drive thousands of sheep, cattle, and other livestock from cool highland pastures to lower grasslands, establishing several ancient herding corridors.
Centuries ago, these routes were tranquil rural pathways, but today they have transformed into bustling urban areas. City dwellers witnessing thousands of sheep parading through the capital’s streets find it uniquely refreshing and exciting. People of all ages, regardless of gender, eagerly take out their phones to capture the moment whenever the sheep pass by.
Similar events to the Transhumance Festival can also be found not only in Madrid but in places like Italy, France, and certain small towns in California, USA.