The Way of Sant James

• Feijóo calls for Galicians to get involved in organising a "5,000-day Jacobean Year" to reveal the very best of Galicia
• He highlights that, after 11 years without one, there will be 3 Jacobean Years in the next 11 years, which will create opportunities for the region
• He indicates that the Strategic Plan for Xacobeo 2021 presented today is funded with a minimum of €247.7 million, which will be added to the over €33 million that has already been invested
• He highlights that this will be a green Jacobean Year, committed to its authenticity: the Way of St James, its landscape, heritage, Galicia’s gastronomy
• He advocates for an innovative Xacobeo, promoting a Galicia that is increasingly technological, digital and more committed to emerging sectors
• He highlights a commitment to a family-friendly Jacobean Year that is also for the young, combining the interests and visions of all generations and being accessible to all
• He indicates the the improvements carried out in recent years and the promotional work that, despite no Holy Years since 2010, have enabled the number of pilgrims to grow
• He calls for the need to work together, "for all citizens to take part and create a more inclusive Jacobean era than ever"
• He states that this afternoon, the Strategic Plan for Xacobeo 2021 will be forwarded to all parliamentary groups and the Regional Minister of Culture and Tourism will request presence in a plenary session to explain it.

Santiago de Compostela, 15 July 2019

Today, Galician President Alberto Núñez Feijóo invited Galicians to get involved in organising a "5,000-day Jacobean Year”, which he asserts will reveal the best of the region.

A Jacobean Year (Ano Xacobeo) occurs when Saint James Day (25th July) falls on a Sunday. Following a meeting of the Organising Committee of Xacobeo 2021, Feijóo highlighted the fact that, after 11 years without one, there will be 3 Jacobean Years over the next 11 years. This will produce opportunities for the region, introducing a Jacobean era that starts now but, rather than ending on 31 December 2021, continues into the next decade. "During this time”, he stated, “we will be able to show that Galicia is an international cultural and touristic centre, with a social and economic impact".

During his speech, Feijóo emphasised that, most significantly, this project is not aimed at one isolated year, 2021, but rather that it also looks forwards to 2027 and 2032, the next Holy Years. He recalled that the situation is similar to that which he experienced previously with Xacobeo 93. "We must therefore take the same interest and be as involved in order to turn this into a new turning point in our history," he said.

A Strategic Plan worth a minimum of €247.7 million

With this aim in mind, Feijóo stated that one of the most important features of the Xacobeo 2021 Strategic Plan that was presented today was that will be well-funded, with a minimum of 247.7 million euros. Due to the fact that work has already started ahead of time, more that €33 million have already been invested, which will now be added to what will be invested from today and will total a minimum of €247.7 million.

Feijóo stated that the Xunta (Regional Government) will continue moving forward within this plan to be able to enter 2021 with confidence in the fact that Galicia is equipped with the best tools possible to present itself to the world, not only in that year but over the entire decade, with Jacobean years 2027 and 2032 also benefiting.

"The plan does not simply state what we will do, but how we will do it", he said, while at the same time highlighting that the Holy Year is not simply composed of a series of religious acts, cultural programmes or celebrations, but is rather an opportunity for everyone to give their best in order to show the best Galicia together. "Not just at a cultural and touristic level but in all economic sectors and social areas, since the Jacobean Year has a multiplier effect that we should take advantage of over the next decade."

A green, innovative, family-friendly and young Jacobean Year

In this regard, he stated that the strategic plan could not ignore the objectives that Galicia is pursuing over the next decade, highlighting that the Jacobean Year will be green, committed to its authenticity, including more of what is unique to Galicia: the Way of St James, the landscapes, the heritage, Galician gastronomy. "In this sense, sustainability and quality must become indispensable objectives so that both Galicians and visitors will cooperate in caring for and promoting our resources" he explained.

He also asserted that this would be an innovative Xacobeo, promoting a Galicia that is increasingly technologically advanced, digital and committed to emerging sectors. The Jacobean Year will also be family-friendly, combining the interests and visions of all generations and all groups, ensuring that it is accessible to everyone regardless of age, situation or place of residence.

"After a long absence, these Holy Years, beginning with 2021, are an opportunity for many of our young people to enjoy this experience for the first time, but this is also a chance for them to contribute to the Galicia that’s coming, the Galicia of the next decade, the Galicia of the future," he said.
The head of the Autonomous Government recalled that, over the past few years, there was useful work that enabled us to achieve better conditions and the highest expectations.

In this vein, he stated that there are more routes now, thanks to the official recognition of the Winter Way and the Portuguese Coastal Way and also thanks to the renewed strength of the Northern Way, which has been declared a World Heritage Site. This has made the Jacobean routes more diverse and increased the number of alternatives to the French Way.

The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela underwent the greatest comprehensive rehabilitation in its history: the Obradoiro façade has already been finished and the restoration of the Portico de la Gloria has enhanced the Cathedral’s beauty. Over 1,500 kilometers of Camino de Santiago routes are undergoing massive landscape restoration, both in their route through over 120 municipalities as well as their entry to Santiago. The new Pilgrim’s Reception Office is a suitable place to welcome the thousands of pilgrims who arrive each day, and it is still undergoing further improvements. Improvements to the facilities at Monte do Gozo are nearly complete and a total of 12 new shelters have been added to the region’s network since Jacobean Year 2010. Events linked to the celebration, such as the O Son do Camiño Festival are being finalised.

All these improvements and promotional work mean that, despite no Xacobeos since 2010, the flow of pilgrims has continued to grow, with 20% more pilgrims today than in the last Holy Year. In addition, there have been two important milestones. Firstly, in 2012, the number of foreign pilgrims exceeded the number of Spanish pilgrims for the first time; the current percentage stands at 65% foreigners and 35% Spaniards. Secondly, in 2017 over 300,000 pilgrims took part (in 2018 there were 327,378).

The most inclusive Jacobean era ever

Feijóo highlighted the need for everyone to work together, meaning "everyone who is here, but also for all citizens to take part and open the Jacobean era, the most inclusive one to date".

He also conveyed his thanks to all who participated in ‘Tu Xacobeo’, a call for citizens to submit projects for consideration for Xacobeo 2021. The contest will be resolved this week and enjoyed great success. He also conveyed his thanks to the following authorities present at the meeting: the Archbishop of Santiago, also thanked for contributing to ensuring that the civil and religious sectors make each Holy Year more successful than the last: the Santiago Town Council, with a significant responsibility in ensuring pilgrims are hosted with the best hospitality and security; Fegamp (Galician Federation of Municipalities and Provinces) and the Government Delegation.

In addition, he conveyed the intention to discuss different matters requiring the cooperation of the new central Government with this, from concrete matters such as restoring sites of cultural interest along the Way to more general matters such as the role of this project, which is also significant for Spain as a whole.

The President of the Galician Government ended his speech by emphasising that the Xunta will work with all its might and available instruments to ensure that the approaching Jacobean period is the best it has ever been. He highlighted that Xacobeo 2021 is destined to be the first representation of Galicia in the new decade, "and serves as a kick-start for our shared ideas and expectations".

Finally, Feijóo confirmed that the Strategic Plan for Xacobeo 2021 would be sent to all parliamentary groups this afternoon, and that the Regional Minister of Culture and Tourism will request presence in the plenary session to explain it.