Villanueva de los Infantes becomes a reference in ethnographic research with the presentation of the book "Fiestas de Cruces y Mayos en el siglo XXI" (Crosses and Mayos Festivities in the 21st Century).

The Casa de Rueda in Villanueva de los Infantes served as the venue for the official presentation of the book “Fiestas de Cruces y Mayos in the 21st Century: Tradition, Survival, Adaptation,” a work published by the Centro de Estudios del Campo de Montiel (CECM) with the sponsorship of the local city council.

The volume compiles the research presented at the international conference held in 2024 to mark the 25th anniversary of these festivals’ designation as being of Regional Tourist Interest, establishing itself as an essential reference for the study and dissemination of this cultural heritage.

An Unprecedented Academic Compendium

This publication, which constitutes Special Issue No. 5 of the Revista de Estudios del Campo de Montiel, exceeds 400 pages and brings together 19 scholarly articles that examine the festival from various disciplines, including musicology, anthropology, history, and education.

During the presentation, the lead editor and co-author of the work, Francisco Javier Moya Maleno, highlighted the book’s broad geographical scope, which begins in Chile and spans various regions of Spain, from Galicia and Castile and León to Madrid and the Region of Murcia. He also emphasized the importance of the studies focused on the provinces of Albacete and Ciudad Real, concluding the volume with two contributions dedicated to the province of Huelva.

The event also highlighted the publication’s inclusive nature, which not only features contributions from established authors and renowned figures in the academic world but has also served as a platform for local and emerging researchers. This combination helps reinforce the transmission of intangible heritage and ensure the continuity of knowledge linked to these celebrations.

Preserving Identity and Collective Memory

The event featured remarks by Francisco Javier Peinado, the Councilor for Culture and Tourism of Villanueva de los Infantes, and representatives of the CECM, who emphasized the importance of this work in preserving collective memory. For his part, Juan Carlos Gómez Macías, vice president of the Center for Studies, noted that this project is the result of a rigorous effort aimed not only at preventing the loss of customs but also at documenting the transformation and adaptation of traditions.

For his part, ethnomusicologist Julio Guillén, co-author of the volume and head of Ethnography at the Institute of Albacete Studies, emphasized the exceptional nature of the work carried out in Villanueva de los Infantes: “There is no one in La Mancha doing this… it is a luxury to have an institution and people here who care about this work that is not being done elsewhere.”

During the presentation, it was also noted that the publication not only features established authors and academic luminaries but has also served as a platform for local and emerging researchers, helping to ensure the transmission of intangible heritage.

Living Culture and Popular Participation

The event also served to highlight the “living” nature of the festival. Francisco Javier Peinado described the publication as a “historic moment” for the municipality and emphasized, before the large audience in attendance, that the book will provide a better understanding of the origins and evolution of the Cruces and the Mayos both in the Campo de Montiel region and within a global context.

The event concluded with a performance by the Ronda Media Arroba, which performed a “Mayo a la Cruz” alongside another musical piece, symbolizing the direct link between academic research and the cultural practice that continues to fill the streets of numerous towns where these festivals are still celebrated.

The book, which will be distributed to various university and public libraries, will be available for purchase at the Campo de Montiel Studies Center.