It has already become a classic event in Madrid. For the fifth consecutive year, on 25 and 26 October, INTEROVIC, the Interprofessional Organisation for Sheep and Goat Meat in Spain, is organising ‘Pastoreo’, the pop-up event that brings the countryside —and especially lamb, suckling lamb and kid meat— closer to the city.
This free, short-term leisure event is designed for all audiences and aims to promote awareness and consumption of these meats.
Flowers, crafts, photography, rural culture and a countryside atmosphere will fill the venue at Calle Sandoval 3, in the Chamberí district.
“In its fifth edition, Pastoreo focuses on highlighting the importance of sheep and goat farming as a key tool for wildfire prevention. After a summer in which fires devastated thousands of hectares and ecosystems, it is important to remember that caring for the land is everyone’s responsibility. By consuming lamb, suckling lamb or kid meat, we help keep this livestock activity alive and prevent forest fires,” explains Tomás Rodríguez, director of INTEROVIC.
Extensive livestock farming, grazing and transhumance are silent allies in protecting the land and reducing the spread of flames.
“Eating lamb is much more than a gastronomic choice: it is a direct way to support farmers who keep grazing and transhumance alive. Every plate of lamb helps sustain a livestock model that protects the territory, maintains rural population and preserves traditions that form part of our cultural identity,” the interprofessional organisation recalls.
Lamb tapas and free activities for all audiences
Throughout the two-day event, ‘Pastoreo’ will offer a variety of cultural activities, exhibitions, workshops and tastings for families. Admission is free and includes a lamb tapa of your choice: a Paquito —the signature lamb sandwich now found across Spain— or a lamb croquette.
Visitors can also enjoy a new selection of portraits of native sheep and goat breeds by photographer José Barea, part of his Bestiarium project.
Additionally, the Wool Map project will be on display —a handmade tapestry by Hilandia, the collaborative project created by Madrid artisan Blanca Fernández Navas, featuring wool from more than thirty native Spanish sheep breeds. Live wool spinning demonstrations will take place on Saturday (12 p.m., 1 p.m., 6 p.m., 7 p.m.) and Sunday (1 p.m., 6 p.m., 7 p.m.).
This year’s workshops have an autumn theme: Hilandia will host felt mushroom composition workshops on Saturday afternoon and a Labubu wool-making workshop —the collectible plush character created by Hong Kong illustrator Kasing Lung— on Sunday morning.
Registrations can be made at www.pastoreoenmadrid.es, where the full programme and schedule can also be found. Each workshop has a fee of €10.
Adress: c/ Sandoval, 3, Madrid
Time: Saturday de 12 a 15h y de 17:30 a 21:30h. Sunday de 12 a 15h y de 17:30 a 21h
