📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
Founded in 2011, Grupo Frente del Nalón is a prominent Asturian historical and cultural association dedicated to researching, reenacting, and preserving the history of the Spanish Civil War, the 1934 Revolution, and the Second Spanish Republic. The organization stands out for its high level of historical rigor and commitment to educational outreach, aiming to keep regional memory alive by faithfully portraying both the social and military daily life of the 1930s. Their main activities revolve around organizing and participating in immersive historical reenactments, most notably the annual "Candamo 3637" historical sessions and collaborative educational events with institutions such as the University of Oviedo. To achieve maximum authenticity, group members utilize period-accurate attire crafted from original patterns, as well as genuine historical items or faithful reproductions of equipment, weaponry, and everyday objects from the era. Beyond live reenactments, the association actively contributes to historical dissemination through collaborations on audiovisual productions, public lectures, and curated cultural exhibitions focused on 20th-century Asturian history. In support of our collaboration and volunteer efforts, the local Town Hall of Grullos (Candamo) generously provides and grants us the use of their local public facilities to accommodate our international volunteer team during the project.
💼 What the programme involves
As a volunteer, you won't be acting, you will be the backbone, supporters, and logistical engine behind the Candamo 36-37 Re-enactment Days. This is a demanding, physical, hands-on setup and logistics project.
Physical Setup & Props: Build immersive scenes and prepare settings alongside the team, including heavy work like filling sawdust sacks and assembling historical props.
Event & Crowd Support: Serve as key supporters during public events by managing crowds, assisting with local logistics, and keeping behind-the-scenes operations running smoothly.
Community Living: Work as a team, share daily household tasks (cooking and cleaning), and adapt to basic living conditions.
🏠 Accommodation on site
Accommodation will be provided in a multipurpose building in Grullos under basic living conditions, featuring two rooms where participants will sleep on sleeping mats. The facility includes a changing room with multiple toilets, showers, and lockers, as well as a fully equipped kitchen with an oven and an induction hob. Please note that while laundry arrangements can be agreed upon during the stay, the building does not have Wi-Fi.
Meals are provided by De Amicitia and will be prepared jointly by participants and camp leaders working in teams, with special dietary requirements accommodated if informed in advance. Come ready to learn, share your favorite recipes, and enjoy delicious food in good company.
📍 About the location
Located along the Nalón River in the heart of Northern Spain's "España Verde"âa region renowned for its mild climate, lush green landscapes, dramatic mountain-to-sea geography, and rich Atlantic cultureâCandamo (with its administrative center in Grullos) is a quiet municipality defined by fertile valleys, traditional stone architecture, and iconic elevated granaries (hórreos). The area
is most famous for the UNESCO World Heritage Candamo Cave (Cueva de la Peña), home to remarkable Paleolithic rock art dating back thousands of years, as well as its agricultural traditions, the famous Festival de la Fresa (Strawberry Festival), and lively local romerías and village festivities (fiestas patronales).
During their off-hours, participants can experience the authentic, slow-paced lifestyle of Northern Spain by exploring walking trails through chestnut and oak forests, enjoying riverside paths, and sampling famous regional gastronomy and natural cider. For those looking to venture further on their days off, regional public transport makes day trips possible to neighboring historic towns like
Pravia, coastal spots like Avilés, or the Asturian capital of Oviedo to visit museums, markets, and cultural sites.
⚠️ Requirements
Ideal Profile: Proactive, flexible, and comfortable with outdoor physical labor. No prior reenactment experience needed, just strong team spirit, adaptability, and respect for history!