SCHOOLS IN VIGO JOINED THE 2024 AZUL FESTIVAL WITH NAUTICAL, EDUCATIONAL, AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

More than 600 participants, including students from five Vigo schools and members of two local associations, joined the educational days of the 2024 Azul Festival. On October 24 and 25, students engaged in a wide variety of activities aimed at bringing young people closer to the sea, promoting respect for the natural environment of the Ría de Vigo, and enhancing their knowledge of Galician maritime heritage as part of the festival's commitment to sustainability.

A total of 574 students from the Atlántida, Ría de Vigo, Labor, A Doblada, and Andersen schools, along with 38 members from the Provivienda and Casa Caridad de Vigo Hogar San José associations, were the main participants in these sessions.

• The program included eight activities focused on environmental awareness, nautical sports, and connecting with maritime traditions and trades. Highlights of the experiences offered included:
• Sailing Initiation: Many students experienced their first sailing session, which familiarized them with the basics of this water sport.
• Cetacean Workshop: An educational experience where participants learned about local marine biodiversity, especially cetaceans inhabiting Galician waters.
• Visit to the Nautilus Underwater Observatory: An immersion in the waters of the Vigo port allowed students to explore the port environment and its biodiversity up close.
• Visit to the Hidria Segundo: Students toured the steamship Hidria Segundo, discovering key aspects of naval heritage.
• Battle of Rande Cruise: A tour through the Ría de Vigo, commemorating the historic naval battle that took place in its waters.
• Mussel Cycle Cruise: A journey through the Ría to learn firsthand about mussel farming and its significance in the Galician economy and cuisine.
• Visit to Traditional Boats: A tour among the most iconic vessels of Galician fishing traditions, promoting the value of maritime trades.
• Seafood Cooking Workshop: Students learned about local cuisine through a workshop highlighting the importance of seafood in Galician cooking.
• Redeiras Workshop: This activity introduced young people to the traditional work of "redeiras," women specialized in repairing fishing nets.

Organized by the Rías Baixas Nautical Cluster Association, the 2024 Azul Festival has become a key event to showcase the culture and maritime traditions of the Ría de Vigo. This year, the festival represents an evolution of the well-known Semana Azul, concentrating an extensive program of cultural, sporting, and tourism activities into four days.

In addition to educational activities, this event will run until October 27, offering a public program that includes water sports such as sailing, surfing, canoeing, and paddleboarding. It also features tours around the Ría, cooking demonstrations with local products, visits to historic boats, and workshops related to maritime history and culture. Registrations for festival activities have been open since October 17 through the Rías Baixas Nautical Cluster Association’s website and social media: https://www.ariven.es/blog/2024/10/17/comeza-o-festival-azul-na-ria-de-vigo/

Sponsored by the Ministry of the Sea, the Secretariat for Sport, the Port Authority of Vigo, and Abanca, and with the support of companies such as Gadis and Anfaco, the 2024 Azul Festival aims to be a benchmark event for all audiences, reinforcing Galicia’s maritime identity and promoting sustainable development linked to the sea.