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The seventh edition of the Parees Festival in Oviedo has left an important mark on the city’s urban art heritage. With the addition of three new works, the festival now boasts a total of forty murals, featuring contributions from local, national, and international artists. This year’s festival pays homage to the rich history and culture of Asturias, showcasing traditional symbols such as Faro pottery, the clog, and the apple – all deeply intertwined with the local identity.
Organised by the Oviedo Municipal Foundation of Culture, Parees has successfully integrated the Asturian community into the creative process, allowing for a meaningful dialogue with the environment and a reinforcement of the region’s identity. Through the careful curation of artists like María Peña (Mapecoo) and Marat ‘Morik’ Danilyan, the festival has managed to project a cultural legacy that transcends the borders of the region.
“Parees is not just an encounter with urban art, it is a celebration of
our roots, a window to the past and a projection towards the future of Asturias. This
year, with murals dedicated to such emblematic symbols as the madreña, Faro pottery
and the Asturian apple, we have left a visual mark that reflects our cultural heritage.
But what really makes Parees special is the connection with the people. The processes
of artistic mediation allow art to speak with, and for, our community, reflecting not only
the beauty of our symbols, but also the challenges we face in preserving them. This is
the true essence of the festival: dialogue, reflection and the shared celebration of our
identity.”Eduard Crespo, Director of Parees Festival
Mapecoo
Reflection on the future of the Asturian apple
One of the standout artworks of this year’s festival is María Peña’s (Mapecoo) mural, which invites viewers to reflect on the uncertain future of the Asturian apple with Denomination of Origin. The visual contrast between local apples and the digital age serves as a poignant commentary on the challenge of preserving this essential crop for the region.
Image copyright Fer Alcala
Marat ‘Morik’ Danilyan
The legacy of Faro
Marat ‘Morik’ Danilyan has also left a stunning murals with a tribute to the ancestral pottery of Faro, immortalising this thousand-year-old tradition that still thrives in Asturias. His mural captures the essence of this art form and underscores the need to protect the cultural heritage of the region. His mural, located on Luis Álvarez Fueyo street, captures the essence of this art and highlights the need to preserve the cultural heritage of the region.
Image copyright Fer Alcala
Tribute to the Asturian madreña
Additionally, Morik’s dedication to the madreña not only celebrates the traditional Asturian craft but also prompts a reflection on the importance of preserving such trades in the absence of generational change. This mural was painted on the same Luis Álvarez Fueyo street.
Image Copyright Mira Hacia Atras
Parees Festival
With the addition of these three new works and the conservation of existing murals, Parees expands its legacy in Oviedo, further enriching the city’s artistic and cultural diversity. The festival has also offered workshops in silkscreen, fanzine, and muralism for families, along with the popular “Beyond the mural” route, catering to diverse audiences and solidifying its status as a space for participation and creativity.
Image Copyright Mira Hacia Atras
Parees Festival’s unique focus on artistic mediation has set it apart, with artists, local associations, and experts collaborating to create works deeply connected to Asturian culture and society. This approach has transformed Parees into a festival that transcends decorative art, fostering a contextual muralism movement that respects and enhances the urban environment.
