The town of Orcera, located in the heart of the Sierra de Segura, has successfully concluded its 'History, Wood, and Water' cultural and environmental days. This year's event placed a particular emphasis on recovering and valuing the memory of the 'pineros gancheros', a traditional trade that was essential for transporting timber by river for centuries.
The program dedicated to this group featured the presentation of the documentary 'Los pastores sobre el bosque flotante' (The shepherds on the floating forest), followed by a round table discussion. The participants analyzed the significance of this trade being declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by Unesco in 2022, as well as the goals of the International Timber-Raftsmen Association (IATR) in preserving this legacy.
The demonstration allowed attendees to relive on the water the risky work of the 'gancheros' guiding logs downstream, a traditional scene evoking the former economic engine of the sierra.
The most anticipated and visually striking moment took place in the natural setting of the aguadero bridge in Orcera, where a practical demonstration of log driving was held. Guided by Juan Francisco Fernández and José Laso, the event recreated the traditional work of the 'gancheros' steering logs down the river, evoking the sierra's historical economic driver.
The closing of the institutional events included a recognition of the families of the former 'pineros gancheros' of Orcera and of various personalities closely linked to the study of the province's history and ethnography. The cultural gathering concluded with the awarding of photography contest prizes, musical performances by the folk group El Remeneo de Orcera, and a tasting of local dishes at the municipal market.
