Entroido de Cobres has officially obtained recognition as a Festival of National Tourist Interest, following the publication on 18 May 2026 in the Spanish Official State Gazette (BOE nº 120) of the resolution issued by the Secretary of State for Tourism, a historic distinction that places this celebration among the most important cultural and tourist festivals in Spain.
With this recognition, Entroido de Cobres becomes the twelfth Festival of National Tourist Interest in Galicia and the 162nd in Spain, reinforcing the heritage value of a centuries-old celebration deeply linked to the cultural identity of Vilaboa and Galicia’s intangible cultural heritage.
The resolution, signed on 28 April 2026, recognises the uniqueness of Entroido de Cobres, highlighting aspects such as its history, documented since the 18th century, the continuity of the celebration, the richness of its traditional dances and rituals, and the strong involvement of the local community in preserving and passing it on through generations.
Among the most highly valued elements is the uniqueness of the madamas and galáns, the central figures of the festival, whose elaborate costumes and uncovered faces represent one of the most recognisable and distinctive features of Entroido de Cobres within the landscape of Galicia’s traditional carnivals.
This recognition honours the collective effort of generations of local residents who kept the tradition alive even through difficult times, ensuring the continuity of a celebration that has successfully preserved its authenticity and essence to the present day. Musicians, dressmakers, dancers, participating families, members of the Cultural Association Cobres, collaborators and the wider community all form part of a shared legacy that today receives significant institutional recognition.
Entroido de Cobres would like to express its sincere gratitude to all the people, organisations and institutions that contributed to making this historic achievement possible, as well as to all those generations whose commitment and dedication ensured that this tradition remained alive.
The publication of the declaration in the BOE marks a historic milestone for Entroido de Cobres, but also a new starting point to continue working on its preservation, promotion and dissemination, strengthening the visibility of one of Galicia’s most distinctive traditions both within and beyond the region.
Because this recognition belongs not only to Entroido de Cobres, but to an entire community that has made tradition a defining part of its collective identity.
