Madrid Youth Revives San Isidro: Tradition Without Gender Roles and on TikTok. Interest in the San Isidro festival among young people in Madrid has seen a noticeable rise. New associations and social media are transforming traditions, bringing generations together. The focus is on rejecting gender roles and embracing a contemporary take on folklore.
In Madrid, over the past three years, the San Isidro festival has undergone a noticeable transformation: young residents are joining traditional associations en masse, and the city celebrations themselves are becoming a platform for experimenting with both form and meaning. As El País notes, people in their twenties and thirties are not only returning to folklore, but are also reinterpreting it, using social media and new approaches to organizing the festivities.
Associations that for decades remained the domain of the older generation are now seeing an influx of young participants. For example, at Los Chisperos de Arganzuela, new faces have appeared who not only dance the traditional chotis, but also share this experience on TikTok and Instagram. Young members note that they want to see the chotis not as a stage performance, but as a living street dance accessible to everyone. At the same time, they criticize a superficial interest in tradition—for them, it is important not just to put on a costume, but to consciously participate in the city's culture.
At the same time, new communities are emerging, such as La Tremolina, where folklore is seen as a space for experimentation and rejecting rigid gender roles. Here, participants are not divided into "chulapo" and "chulapa," but use neutral terms—"molinillo" and "clavel." This approach attracts those who previously did not feel part of the tradition because of its conservatism. At La Tremolina, they emphasize that folklore can be a tool for self-expression and even resistance, not just the repetition of established rituals.
An important role in revamping the celebration is played by the individualized approach to costumes. Young Madrilenians like Megane Mercury and Alejandra Gombau sew their own outfits, combining elements from different cultures and materials. For them, it’s a way to make the tradition personal and modern, rather than just following a template. They believe that interest in folklore has grown thanks to music and social networks, which offer a fresh perspective on city festivals and make them more relatable for the younger generation.
The largest association, Los Castizos, has seen a real influx of young members in recent years: if the average age was previously over forty, now there are even 19-year-olds in the ranks. Many join thanks to Instagram, where the association actively shares its activities. Newcomers note that traditional dances and costumes become more appealing when you master them yourself rather than just watch from the sidelines. The older generation supports these changes and learns from the youth, helping preserve continuity and keep the festival relevant.
According to participants, the growing interest in San Isidro is linked to a search for identity and a desire to feel connected to the city. Young people note that in the past, traditions seemed foreign or outdated, but now they have become a means of uniting and self-expression. Social networks reinforce this effect, allowing new ideas and celebration formats to spread quickly.
For reference: San Isidro is Madrid’s main city festival, dedicated to the city’s patron saint. Traditionally celebrated in May, it features mass festivities, dances, concerts, and street parades. In recent years, city authorities have supported initiatives to update the festival’s format, making it more inclusive and appealing to different generations.
