Technology
Baa-d day to be on the road! More than 1,000 sheep are herded through the streets of Madrid
A festival that pays homage to Madrid's agriculture saw a sea of wool baa-dly jam the streets.
Revellers of the Transhumance Festival were left amused after seeing 1,100 sheep and 200 goats next to the city's iconic landmarks.
Throughout the streets, onlookers could see parades of mutton and hear bells, bleats, baas, and horn music, which attracted crowds of thousands.
The Transhumance Festival has been running since 1994 and aims to highlight environmental benefits of traditional grazing, where livestock clear brush and other flammable undergrowth to reduce the spread of wildfires.
Transhumance is the term used to describe the movement between seasonal pastures.
Every year, festival organisers recreate the pastoral practice of moving livestock to new grazing grounds.
Environmentalist, Juan García Vicente, who's been part of the festival for 30 years, said Spain's summer was one of the most destructive wildfire seasons recorded in its history.
'We have to fight this along several fronts,' Vicente said of climate change, also warning of the 'total abandonment of the rural world' in Spain.
American tourist, Jennifer Granda said, 'It's a very interesting concept... we appreciated the idea that they're promoting agriculture.'
Madrid is part of an ancient migration route that's part of a vast grid of farming paths that cover the Iberian Peninsula.
Festival organisers pay a symbolic fee to let livestock pass safely.
The payment in medieval coins is 50 maravedis, presented at Madrid's city hall, dates back to an agreement between the city and shepherds from 1418.
California and other parts of Europe, including towns and smaller cities around Italy and France, hold similar events.
The festival was cancelled last year due to concerns about a bluetongue disease variant.
The rate of traditional farming methods has decreased to a small group of farmers who keep the tradition of transhumance alive for both environmental factors and cultural value.
Madrid local, Ana Vásquez caught the end of the festival in a congested Puerta del Sol square with her husband.
'It's another traditional festival,' she said, in reference to the many other "fiestas" Spaniards celebrate. 'It recalls another era, and, well, it's nice.
A festival that pays homage to Madrid's agriculture saw a sea of wool baa-dly jam the streets.
Revellers of the Transhumance Festival were left amused after seeing 1,100 sheep and 200 goats next to the city's iconic landmarks.
Throughout the streets, onlookers could see parades of mutton and hear bells, bleats, baas, and horn music, which attracted crowds of thousands.
The Transhumance Festival has been running since 1994 and aims to highlight environmental benefits of traditional grazing, where livestock clear brush and other flammable undergrowth to reduce the spread of wildfires.
Transhumance is the term used to describe the movement between seasonal pastures.
Every year, festival organisers recreate the pastoral practice of moving livestock to new grazing grounds.
Environmentalist, Juan García Vicente, who's been part of the festival for 30 years, said Spain's summer was one of the most destructive wildfire seasons recorded in its history.
'We have to fight this along several fronts,' Vicente said of climate change, also warning of the 'total abandonment of the rural world' in Spain.
American tourist, Jennifer Granda said, 'It's a very interesting concept... we appreciated the idea that they're promoting agriculture.'
Madrid is part of an ancient migration route that's part of a vast grid of farming paths that cover the Iberian Peninsula.
Festival organisers pay a symbolic fee to let livestock pass safely.
The payment in medieval coins is 50 maravedis, presented at Madrid's city hall, dates back to an agreement between the city and shepherds from 1418.
California and other parts of Europe, including towns and smaller cities around Italy and France, hold similar events.
The festival was cancelled last year due to concerns about a bluetongue disease variant.
The rate of traditional farming methods has decreased to a small group of farmers who keep the tradition of transhumance alive for both environmental factors and cultural value.
Madrid local, Ana Vásquez caught the end of the festival in a congested Puerta del Sol square with her husband.
'It's another traditional festival,' she said, in reference to the many other "fiestas" Spaniards celebrate. 'It recalls another era, and, well, it's nice.
