The Night of the Pepitas
The Fiesta de las Pepitas is a traditional celebration dating back to the late 19th century. According to legend, the festival originated when a group of young students in the city, who had gathered to study on a cold winter night, decided to go out into the street to sing to a neighbor who had just had a baby. The young people had collected some coins to buy "pepitas" (small candies) and offered them to the mother and the women in the house.
Since then, the Fiesta de las Pepitas is celebrated every year in Ferrol on March 18th, on the eve of Saint Joseph's Day, or on the nearest Saturday. During the festival, men dress in capes and hats and go out into the street to pay homage to the women of the city. They gather in groups and roam the streets singing and playing music with traditional instruments such as bagpipes, tambourines, and panderos.
The groups of men go from house to house, visiting their friends, relatives, and neighbors, and offering them the pepitas they have collected. Women, in return, offer them food and drink. Often, the groups of men also serenade the women and dedicate songs to them.
The Fiesta de las Pepitas is a beloved celebration in Ferrol and has become one of the most popular festivities in the city. Every year, it attracts thousands of visitors who want to experience this unique tradition and enjoy the music and festive atmosphere on the city streets.
