The V Festival de Indumentaria Tradicional de Zamora is set to open its doors from April 28 to May 11, 2025, featuring a diverse program centered around traditional clothing and culture. This year, the festival has invited Serbia as the guest country, with the theme aptly named 'Galanura.'
Recently presented on March 26, 2025, the festival is recognized as the most significant event of its kind in Europe, showcasing a wide array of activities, exhibitions, and runway shows. Among the highlights is an exhibition titled 'Paisajes humanos (Human Landscapes) 2000-2025,' which marks the first solo exhibition of local artist Pascual Marín Marina, born in Soria in 1972. This exhibition will display large-format photographs that span the artist's career over the last 25 years.
'Paisajes humanos' features images from three distinct series: 'Memoria' (2006-2025), which explores Leonese traditions through the lens of its protagonists and their garments; 'Tocando el cielo' (2007-2010), a three-year photographic study of Peruvian culture that highlights the significance of traditional clothing in the Andean country; and 'Orígenes' (2024-2025), which reflects Marín's beginnings in Almazán through portraits from the San Pascual Bailón festival, showcasing the striking attire of the participants known as 'zarrones.'
The exhibition will be available for public viewing at the exhibition hall of the Teatro Ramos Carrión from April 28 to May 11, with visiting hours set from 12:00 to 14:00 and 18:00 to 21:00. Marín has expressed enthusiasm about the exhibition, stating, "The identity of a people begins with the head, with hats, headgear, scarves, and jewelry, and continues with the faces of those who inhabit them and the rest of their attire. The 'Paisajes humanos' are images not only of the people they reflect but also of the places they occupy, showing us traditions, customs, rituals, garments, and clothing, but also rivers, mountains, spaces, and time."
On May 9, 2025, during the festival's inauguration, Marín will present an audiovisual piece that will feature photographs from the exhibition along with selected clips from his documentaries, including one currently in progress about the 'zarrones.' Additionally, the artist will conduct a technical guided tour of the exhibition targeted at students and photography enthusiasts on May 8, offering insights into his creative process and the stories behind the images.
Marín hopes to share his work beyond Zamora, expressing a desire for the exhibition to travel to Soria and other provinces. He noted, "There is already interest; the organization is willing to lend the works, and I believe it would be an opportunity to include more images from the province in the exhibition." This sentiment reflects a broader commitment to celebrating and preserving the rich cultural heritage of the region.
As the festival approaches, anticipation builds around both the traditional clothing showcased and the artistic contributions of local talent like Pascual Marín. The event not only highlights the importance of cultural identity through clothing but also reinforces community ties and the value of artistic expression in understanding and celebrating one’s heritage.
