Ultreia e Suseia

The Way of Saint James, or rather, the Ways, have been traversing the lands of Castile and León for centuries. Along them we find monumental civil and religious buildings, splendid works of art, ancient rites and solemnities, and songs and dances of surprising beauty, all of which bear witness to the most genuine Jacobean tradition. In some cases, they are more or less distant echoes of a history that is still alive today, with the Apostle as its main protagonist. In others, they are the result of the contemporary actions of institutions and individuals who want this magnificent itinerary to be, in addition to an inner journey full of beliefs and symbols, a cultural journey that combines tradition and avant-garde, taking into account the tastes, opinions and needs of the current protagonists of the Way. The changing landscapes, valleys and mountains, forests and clearings are the different settings that the actors of the Way travel through, while discovering fragments of a unique cultural legacy that has its roots in the deepest foundations of old Europe. This round trip thus becomes a melting pot of vital knowledge – spiritual and material – in which the pilgrim, or the simple walker, has the opportunity to encounter many of the profound keys to the collective personality of our society, in contrast to the contradictions of today’s hectic life. To mark the Jacobean Year 2010, the Government of Castile and León wishes to highlight this wealth of nuances in a special way, programming a wide range of activities – theatrical, exhibition, academic and editorial – that will attempt to bring the most interesting artistic expressions to as wide an audience as possible. Theatre and dance will be key elements in this programme, with performances and competitions of the most varied kinds, staged in some cases by the most renowned professional companies and in others by performers from the admirable amateur theatre scene. Similarly, the main landmarks along the Way will be the setting for festivals and musical performances featuring large orchestras, choral groups, early music ensembles and renowned performers of the popular Jacobean tradition, bringing the old and new melodies of the Way to all kinds of audiences. Alongside this, the exhibitions will be another important dynamic element, as they not only directly promote the public display of works of art – ancient or contemporary, but always extraordinary—but also because they serve as a catalyst for a number of complementary activities, such as the publication of beautiful studies, the creation of innovative audiovisuals, the holding of research conferences, and the implementation of educational activities aimed at young people. In this regard, several…