Day of the Raiers of the Noguera Pallaresa

The Raiers Festival of the Noguera Pallaresa, known as the Diada de los Raiers, is an emblematic celebration that takes place every first weekend of July in Pobla de Segur, in Pallars Jussà. Since 1979, this festival pays tribute to the ancient trade of the rafters, which consisted of transporting wood by rivers from the Pyrenean forests to the lowlands using boats made of logs called "rais".

The Diada begins on Saturday morning with the assembly of rafts at the Llania dam, 5 km upriver. Participants use traditional techniques to join the logs and prepare the boat for the descent. Over the weekend, the town is filled with cultural activities, such as workshops, concerts, and the Pallars Traditional Music Gathering, which complement the festivities with folk music and dance.

The main event takes place on Sunday morning, when the rafters, dressed in traditional attire, descend the Noguera Pallaresa River from the Llania Dam to the Claverol Bridge. This 5-km route attracts numerous spectators who gather on the riverbanks to cheer on the participants.

The Raftsmen's Festival has been recognized as a Traditional Festival of National Interest since 2002, and in 2022, the raftsman's profession was included in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, highlighting its historical and cultural importance.

Come and experience it!