Typical programme of the Festa do Esquecemento

The programme of the Festa do Esquecemento (Festival of Oblivion) changes in detail every year, but follows a fixed three-day structure, Friday to Sunday, that builds up to the crossing of the river Lethes ^[1][2][3][4]. This page describes it in general terms; Civitas Limicorum publishes the exact programme each year. Back to the Festa do Esquecemento.

The venues

• Gallaeco-Roman camp, on the Alameda do Toural beside the river Limia: tents, crafts, daily life and many of the events ^[1][7].
• Craft market and children’s area, in the Parque do Toural and the old town ^[1][3].
• Praza Maior and Praza Carlos Casares, where the gladiator fights and the lighting of the sacred fire take place ^[1][3][4].
• The river, setting for the crossing and the great battle ^[1][2].

Friday: opening and the Sacred Fire

In the afternoon the camp and market open to the sound of strolling bagpipe and drum bands. At night the grand opening parade of hillfort warriors and Romans sets off, lit by fachós (straw torches) —about 400 in some years ^[8]— and at midnight comes the Prendido do Lume Sagrado, the lighting of the Sacred Fire, the festival’s symbol, sometimes accompanied by an opening speech ^[2][3][4]. Street bands and concerts in the camp follow ^[3][4].

Saturday: troops, games and gladiators

Saturday belongs to the visiting groups. There is a reception for the foreign troops and the presentation of the Bispo Idacio Awards, gladiator fights in the Praza Maior, games and contests in the camp, a members’ treasure hunt, circus and street entertainment, and in the evening Celtic or Roman weddings ^[2][3]. The association’s photo galleries also show parades of the Roman troops and a "slave auction" in the camp ^[5][1].

Sunday: crossing the Lethes

The morning brings Celtic-Roman naming ceremonies and parades ^[2][5]. Mid-afternoon is the high point: the re-enactment of Decimus Junius Brutus crossing the river Lethes and the great fight between hillfort warriors and Romans on the banks of the Limia ^[2]. The legions win, and Brutus is crowned Galaicus ^[6]. The festival closes with the victory parade ^[5].

Practical tips

The activities are free and many are aimed at families ^[4]. In some years the camp closes late at night to anyone not in period dress ^[2]. To learn more about the legend, read The myth of the Lethes; for the organisers, The Civitas Limicorum association.

Sources

1. Edelmiro Martínez Cerredelo, "A lenda do río Lethes ou río do esquecemento. A 1ª festa en 2001", Historia de Xinzo, 05-08-2022. https://historiadexinzo.wordpress.com/2022/08/05/a-lenda-do-rio-lethes-ou-rio-do-esquecemento-a-1a-festa-en-2001/
2. Vía Lethes, "Festa do Esquecemento 2023", 18-08-2023. https://vialethes.es/festa-esquecemento-2023-xinzo-limia
3. Vía Lethes, "Festa do Esquecemento 2024, programa oficial", 21-08-2024. https://vialethes.es/festa-do-esquecemento-2024-xinzo-de-limia-programa-oficial
4. Vía Lethes, "Festa do Esquecemento 2026, programa oficial", 21-08-2026. https://vialethes.es/festa-esquecemento-2026-xinzo-limia-programa-oficial
5. A.C. Civitas Limicorum, photo galleries 2024, 2025 and 2026. https://civitaslimicorum.com/2024-2 · https://civitaslimicorum.com/2025-2 · https://civitaslimicorum.com/2026-2
6. A.C. Civitas Limicorum, "A Festa do Esquecemento". https://civitaslimicorum.com/festa-do-esquecemento
7. Páxinas Galegas, "Festa do Esquecemento en Xinzo de Limia" (accessed 2026). https://www.paxinasgalegas.es/fiestas/festa-do-esquecemento-xinzo-de-limia-2346.html — Wayback (17-08-2012): https://web.archive.org/web/20120817011806/http://www.paxinasgalegas.es/fiestas/festa-do-esquecemento-xinzo-de-limia-2346.html
8. Vía Lethes, "Festa do Esquecemento 2025, programa oficial", 20-08-2025. https://vialethes.es/festa-esquecemento-2025-xinzo-de-limia-programa-oficial