SPAIN – LIVING TRADITIONS

Living Traditions is an editorial documentary photo story focused on two local celebrations in northern Extremadura, Spain: a religious procession in Villar de Plasencia and the Cabezudos festivities in Baños de Montemayor. 

The project takes a more informative and news-oriented approach, documenting the events as they unfold and showing the people, rituals, streets and community participation that give these celebrations their local identity. 

Rather than approaching the festivities only from an authorial or aesthetic perspective, the work is intended as an editorial coverage of current local events and the traditions that remain active within rural communities. 

Photos: © Javier Tormo / MedPress

A woman in traditional dress takes part in the religious procession through the village.
Living Traditions — Villar de Plasencia — 01
Participants in traditional dress gather during the procession, reflecting the community character of the celebration.
Living Traditions — Villar de Plasencia — 02
Residents follow the procession as it moves through the village, combining religious ritual with everyday community life.
Living Traditions — Villar de Plasencia — 03
The procession advances through decorated streets as residents and participants accompany the religious celebration.
Living Traditions — Villar de Plasencia — 04
A religious image carried through the village becomes the central focus of the celebration.
Living Traditions — Villar de Plasencia — 05
Participants carry the religious image through the streets while local residents accompany the procession.
Living Traditions — Villar de Plasencia — 06
The procession continues through the village, with the religious image surrounded by participants and onlookers.
Living Traditions — Villar de Plasencia — 07
Traditional dress and footwear become part of the visual identity of the local celebration.
Living Traditions — Villar de Plasencia — 08
The religious procession passes through the village streets, surrounded by local architecture and participants.
Living Traditions — Villar de Plasencia — 09
A participant carries an element of the procession as the celebration moves through the village.
Living Traditions — Villar de Plasencia — 10
The religious figure is carried above the crowd, emphasizing the collective character of the celebration.
Living Traditions — Villar de Plasencia — 11
A giant figure moves through the streets as part of the Cabezudos festivities.
Living Traditions — Baños de Montemayor — 12
A giant figure moves through the streets as part of the Cabezudos festivities.
Living Traditions — Baños de Montemayor — 13
Cabezudos and participants fill the village streets during the local festivities.
Living Traditions — Baños de Montemayor — 14
A musician accompanies the festivities, providing the rhythm for the procession of Cabezudos.
Living Traditions — Baños de Montemayor — 15
Residents watch the Cabezudos from a balcony as the celebration moves through the street.
Living Traditions — Baños de Montemayor — 16
Children and residents gather in the street as part of the festivities.
Living Traditions — Baños de Montemayor — 17
A Cabezudo moves through the village street, interacting with the crowd during the celebration.
Living Traditions — Baños de Montemayor — 18
A participant moves through the festivities while the Cabezudos continue their route through the village.
Living Traditions — Baños de Montemayor — 19
Participants and Cabezudos share the street during the lively local celebration.
Living Traditions — Baños de Montemayor — 20
A Cabezudo stands above the crowd, creating one of the characteristic scenes of the village festivities.
Living Traditions — Baños de Montemayor — 21
Traditional clothing and movement form part of the visual atmosphere surrounding the Cabezudos celebration.
Living Traditions — Baños de Montemayor — 22
A participant prepares during the festivities, offering a closer view of the people behind the public celebration.
Living Traditions — Baños de Montemayor — 23