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Semana Renacentista / Rennaisance Week
Published on 25 April 2018
Spain
Castilla y León
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
The Renaissance Week is a historical festival held between the 14 and 21 August, in order to showcase the most splendorous age of the Villa of the Fairs, 15th and 16th centuries, and its most significant historical figures.
More than one hundred activities and ten historical re-enactments (concentrated on the ‘Imperiales and Comuneros’ Fair) are programmed for the weekend of the event. In addition, a historical market, with about 100,000 visitors, is celebrated during this weekend.
One of the most significant resources of Medina del Campo is its historical past and all aspects related to the General Fairs (Ferias Generales del Reino) and the characters and historical events that took place in the Villa in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.
Until the creation of the Renaissance Week there was no event in the town based precisely in this historical wealth, just a few attempts on historical fairs and some cultural activities.
The main objective of the project was encouraging citizen participation in the event, turning the small and scattered and initiatives that existed before into a great historical event.
Creating an event of events involved a necessary coordination. This role was played by the Local Development Service, additionally the coordinator of Medina 21, whose working model is based on a networking collaboration and on the synergies with the socioeconomic agents of the town.
More than one hundred activities and ten historical re-enactments (concentrated on the ‘Imperiales and Comuneros’ Fair) are programmed for the weekend of the event. In addition, a historical market, with about 100,000 visitors, is celebrated during this weekend.
One of the most significant resources of Medina del Campo is its historical past and all aspects related to the General Fairs (Ferias Generales del Reino) and the characters and historical events that took place in the Villa in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.
Until the creation of the Renaissance Week there was no event in the town based precisely in this historical wealth, just a few attempts on historical fairs and some cultural activities.
The main objective of the project was encouraging citizen participation in the event, turning the small and scattered and initiatives that existed before into a great historical event.
Creating an event of events involved a necessary coordination. This role was played by the Local Development Service, additionally the coordinator of Medina 21, whose working model is based on a networking collaboration and on the synergies with the socioeconomic agents of the town.
Resources needed
Civic participation is essential in this event. Associations and groups from Medina del Campo and its surroundings, gathering 3500-4000 participants, take part in the historical activities.
Medina del Campo supports the activities carried by this associations and groups financing partially.
Medina del Campo supports the activities carried by this associations and groups financing partially.
Evidence of success
a. Positive effects:
The overall assessment has been positive.
Civic response has been even larger than expected.
The most positive impact has been unexpectedly found in the spectacular number of visitors and the economic impact achieved.
b. Negative impact:
Problems in urban mobility at peak times of visitor influx.
c. Overspill effects:
The participatory nature of the event has served as an example for other towns and villages in the area, and has been applied in other local events.
The overall assessment has been positive.
Civic response has been even larger than expected.
The most positive impact has been unexpectedly found in the spectacular number of visitors and the economic impact achieved.
b. Negative impact:
Problems in urban mobility at peak times of visitor influx.
c. Overspill effects:
The participatory nature of the event has served as an example for other towns and villages in the area, and has been applied in other local events.
Potential for learning or transfer
This practice has a high potential of transferability because it is base on local resources and bottom up approach. There are 3 keys for success when organizing this event:
1. Work bottom-up, involving the citizenship since the beginning of the initiative.
2. Base the event on the existing resources, not depending on external funds or contributions.
3. Innovate in the proposal of activities, always seeking the unique personality of the event, not creating a standard product.
1. Work bottom-up, involving the citizenship since the beginning of the initiative.
2. Base the event on the existing resources, not depending on external funds or contributions.
3. Innovate in the proposal of activities, always seeking the unique personality of the event, not creating a standard product.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Regional Government of Castilla Y León
Spain
Castilla y León
Contact
European project manager