Valladolid Fair and Rural Protest Meet Public Attention During Goya Awards Week
About 600 farmers and ranchers gathered outside a church this afternoon, according to the Government Delegation in Castilla y León. The 38th Valladolid Fair was underway, and the attendees came to present their requests while a visible security presence ensured the event stayed orderly. The scene showed a blend of civic action with the ongoing cultural program surrounding the festival, as participants carried subtle symbols and nonviolent demonstrations alongside the regular fair activities.
Those present formed a community circle, mingling with attendees who had come to catch a glimpse of prominent cinema figures and guests at the event. The protesters wore yellow vests that have become a visible sign of independent farming and ranching groups that have mobilized for more than a week in the Castilla y León region. The mood, though charged, remained within the bounds of peaceful assembly.
In a shift from earlier tactics, the organizers decided to cancel any direct disruption to the gala schedule. What began as a potential tractor-focused demonstration pivoted to a pedestrian march that ran alongside the Valladolid Fair. This approach aimed to clearly communicate farmer concerns without interrupting the celebratory program of the Goya Awards weekend.
The protest did not stay quiet. Whistles and rattles energized the scene as vehicles carrying guests slowly passed the gathering. Slogans were directed at political leaders, reflected in chants that underscored how rural producers perceive the current market and policy environment. The gathering was marked by rhythmic noise that drew attention to the farmers’ call for attention to their livelihoods.
“Humiliated” and Indebted Countryside
The message from the field stressed peaceful action and a clear plea for respect for rural workers. One farmer, Carlos Duque from Castroverde de Cerrato in Palencia, spoke about the way the countryside has been undervalued within public discourse. He noted that rural life is daily work from dawn until dusk, with farmers preparing machinery, planting, irrigating, and harvest operations driven by weather and season. He argued that when diesel subsidies were introduced under CAP measures, public memory of rural needs came into sharper focus, while the broader public consumes food produced in the countryside every day at home. The protesters asserted that farmers deserve fair prices that allow them to sustain their families and keep farms viable without relying solely on subsidies.
Duque added that farmers have faced two years of production at or below cost. Many continue to borrow to cover basic expenses, yet the group explained they are not asking for handouts but for market conditions that reflect the true value of their work and the essential role it plays in feeding the world. The broader aim is to ensure long-term viability for farms, ranches, and rural communities that contribute to food security and local economies.
Avier Villanueva, from Medina del Campo in Valladolid, emphasized the importance of reviewing how the 2030 Agenda is implemented for farmers and ranchers. He pointed out that the regulatory framework affecting European farmers, particularly in comparison with non-EU countries, creates distortions and can lead to unfair competition in price settings. Villanueva also attended the Goya event and stressed that the mobilization was necessary to voice concerns that do not always find a platform inside government channels. While critics worry about disrupting cultural events, the group agreed on peaceful conduct and planned social-network coordination to maintain order and transparency.
“We all share the same policy: keep calm and make noise,” Villanueva remarked, noting that aside from some traffic delays on the N-112 caused by truck activity, the Valladolid day was largely calm and free of major disruptions for festivalgoers. The demonstrators underscored their aim to engage the public, policymakers, and market stakeholders in a dialogue about rural realities, prices, and the need for robust supply chains that support sustainable farming practices.
In this context, the protest framed a broader debate about the balance between rural policy and cultural events. The organizers did not seek to block access to the fair or the gala, but rather to deliver a message to decision-makers and the public about the value of farming communities and the necessity of fair trading conditions for agricultural producers. The scene reflected the tension often seen when rural livelihoods intersect with high-profile cultural happenings, yet the approach remained rooted in peaceful civil expression and collective responsibility.
Observers noted that the gathering was an instance of ordinary citizens exercising their right to protest in a manner compatible with public events. The combination of civic demonstration and a major national arts festival highlighted the complexity of ensuring both economic sustainability for farming communities and the continuity of cultural life that draws audiences from across the country.