Campaign against burning of boots and clothes

[Bradypus]

A number of local websites are reporting another campaign against the practice of burning boots and clothing at Fisterra. Something which locals say has given an area of natural beauty the appearance of a landfill site. Previous poster campaigns have had limited success.

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[wisepilgrim]

 

[woody66]

Hi All!
My five cents worth.
I commented on another thread that what pilgrims do in Spain leaves a mark on Spain for others to sort; a tradition for pilgrims becomes an eyesore for those that live there.
I would be annoyed also.

Like the burning of boots and clothes or as in the other thread decorating a tree with boots; you may think its cute or enhances your walk but know one cares but you!
Don't do it
Imagine the uproar if hikers in the UK got to there numerous destinations and did the same.
I thought the ethos was leave no trace.

Although in the UK we do have traditions!
Taking supermarket trolleys for a walk and leaving the poor things abandoned and homeless oh and decorating woodlands with carrier bags
Woody

 

[Bradypus]

I commented on another thread that what pilgrims do in Spain leaves a mark on Spain for others to sort; a tradition for pilgrims becomes an eyesore for those that live there.

I clicked through on the link in the article to a piece about an unpleasant new "tradition" in San Andres de Teixido. People hanging their Covid face masks in long lines on fences. Unsurprisingly local people were unimpressed with the development. It's a fascinating place with enough odd customs of its own and they don't think it needs any more modern tacky ones!

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[Tincatinker]

There is a good thread on this topic from 2016. I wrote this: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...arting-a-fire-in-finisterre.42853/post-439733

The image still haunts me

 

[LavanyaLea]

Taking supermarket trolleys for a walk and leaving the poor things abandoned and homeless oh and decorating woodlands with carrier bags

Or leaving dog poo bags on rocks!

 

[Caomhin O Fearghaill]

Hi All!
My five cents worth.
I commented on another thread that what pilgrims do in Spain leaves a mark on Spain for others to sort; a tradition for pilgrims becomes an eyesore for those that live there.
I would be annoyed also.

Like the burning of boots and clothes or as in the other thread decorating a tree with boots; you may think its cute or enhances your walk but know one cares but you!
Don't do it
Imagine the uproar if hikers in the UK got to there numerous destinations and did the same.
I thought the ethos was leave no trace.

Although in the UK we do have traditions!
Taking supermarket trolleys for a walk and leaving the poor things abandoned and homeless oh and decorating woodlands with carrier bags
Woody

Yes, donating clothes is a much better idea than dumping them on the Camino. It was a tradition when I began my Camino many years ago but not something that should continue.

 

[Former member 92300]

How sad that they had to decide to offer sending a new pair of shoes so you don't burn yours instead of people just respecting the request to not burn them. Come on people, have a little respect for the community you are a VISITOR to and the environment that we must all live in! But hey - if it helps - good for them. But curious as to the cost. As it is they give out the Fisteranna certificates for free. They even mailed mine to the US for free. Now they are having to buy people shoes so they don't burn their shoes and leave garbage on their land?

There are better traditions we can adapt. I myself was just happy to sit there and enjoy the view and revel in my accomplishment.

 

[MichelleElynHogan]

I burned my clothes after my Camino...when I got home, in a controlled area. My neighbour asked me what I was doing as the shoes were creating a bit of smoke. I told him, he understood and we sat talking about the walk and its meanings.

Finisterra is really not the end of anyone's Camino but only occurs when you cross the threshold of your home upon your return.

 

[trecile]

Yes, donating clothes is a much better idea than dumping them on the Camino. It was a tradition when I began my Camino many years ago but not something that should continue.

It was a made up tradition.
Well, all traditions are made up, but in this case it wasn't an ancient tradition, but a modern one.

 

[peregrina2000]

What surprised me the last time this came up was how many of the camino tour companies had references to this practice. I contacted a few and they all acted quickly to change their websites.

I’m sure there are still some out there, though, so if anyone sees any websites with that kind of discussion, a polite alert might do some good.

Well, surprise surprise, Caminoways still says this.


Pilgrims often burn some of their clothes or walking shoes at Cape Fisterra, overlooking the Atlantic, almost as a ritual of purification or just as a symbolic end to their long journey. Although this practice has attracted many critics in recent times, for its obvious environmental risks.

I explained to them that the practice is not just criticized, it is illegal.

For those of you with time to kill, here’s the contact form if you want to complain.

Contact Us

Contact Us CaminoWays.com

caminoways.com

 

[trecile]

What surprised me the last time this came up was how many of the camino tour companies had references to this practice. I contacted a few and they all acted quickly to change their websites.

I’m sure there are still some out there, though, so if anyone sees any websites with that kind of discussion, a polite alert might do some good.

Well, surprise surprise, Caminoways still says this.


Pilgrims often burn some of their clothes or walking shoes at Cape Fisterra, overlooking the Atlantic, almost as a ritual of purification or just as a symbolic end to their long journey. Although this practice has attracted many critics in recent times, for its obvious environmental risks.

I explained to them that the practice is not just criticized, it is illegal.

For those of you with time to kill, here’s the contact form if you want to complain.

Contact Us

Contact Us CaminoWays.com

caminoways.com

It's still being perpetuated on Camino sites. I found it here, and I'm sending them an email to ask them to remove it with information about this anti-burning campaign.

This site does recognize that the practice is forbidden but is still promoting the "ritual of rebirth" at Finisterre.

There are probably others...

 

[trecile]

Here's a link to the campaign

Buen camino, mejor final | Aranda

Bienvenid@ Peregrin@, pronto iniciaremos el camino para acabar con un ritual que no es

arandatierradecalzado.com

 

[trevorcc]

It is so sad that people do this again and again, it is also up to each pilgrim to say something to these bad very bad ideas. If we standby and say nothing it is in itself approval, it all starts in Saint Jean we you hear people are going to walk the Napoleon route when its closed, to littering along the Way. Just say hey thats not nice thing of others.

 

[JMac56]

Just goes to show, you can't beat stupid!

 

[trecile]

What surprised me the last time this came up was how many of the camino tour companies had references to this practice. I contacted a few and they all acted quickly to change their websites.

I’m sure there are still some out there, though, so if anyone sees any websites with that kind of discussion, a polite alert might do some good.

Well, surprise surprise, Caminoways still says this.


Pilgrims often burn some of their clothes or walking shoes at Cape Fisterra, overlooking the Atlantic, almost as a ritual of purification or just as a symbolic end to their long journey. Although this practice has attracted many critics in recent times, for its obvious environmental risks.

I explained to them that the practice is not just criticized, it is illegal.

For those of you with time to kill, here’s the contact form if you want to complain.

Contact Us

Contact Us CaminoWays.com

caminoways.com

I just sent them an email to info@caminoways.com

They repeat this same bad information in multiple blog posts on their site. On this page they say

Traditionally, pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago would finish their journey at Cape Fisterra, once thought to be the end of the world. Here they would burn their clothes, swim in the ocean and admire the sunset over the Atlantic ocean – a wonderful way to mark the end of an incredible journey.

On another page they do have the right message:

The burning question​

Cape Fisterra marks the very end of their Camino journey for many pilgrims, and certain customs have developed around it. Traditionally pilgrims would burn their clothes by the sea (the end of the world), and many pilgrims still today leave their walking shoes by the Cape or even burn them. However, this is not a very respectful practice, and the local authorities indeed ban it.

While we might feel comfortable in the symbolic act of disposing of our walking gear to finish our journey, as responsible pilgrims, we should think of the consequences: leaving walking shoes at the Cape is just littering and burning clothes could be a fire hazard or even turn into an ecological disaster if the fire spreads.

Why not dip in the ocean to mark your journey’s end? There are lovely beaches to go to for a swim in Fisterra.

 

[trecile]

I received a response from Caminoways:

Thank you for your email and for flagging this. We thought we had removed it but this post must have escaped. We will update it accordingly.

 

[Former member 92300]

I received a response from Caminoways:

Thank you for your email and for flagging this. We thought we had removed it but this post must have escaped. We will update it accordingly.

Will have to look later to see if they do what they say, But thank you!

 

[RJM]

Difficult to believe anyone would still do such a ridiculous "ritual" and actually believe it was some sort of ancient practice. At face value it's bad. Toxic smoke. Fire spreading hazard. Etc

 

[Spartan Sandie]

It would be lovely if all believed in & practiced ' leave no trace' where ever they went. Even better, everywhere you visit: a beach, wood, mountain etc pick up 2-4 pieces of litter...leaving it nicer then you found it

 

[simply B]

TBH, I am more than a little surprised that this is still "a thing".

Perhaps I am just "cheap" but my clothes and footware are readily serviceable for a lot more miles than a 1,000 km stroll stresses them.

In fact, I was just sorting my pack the other day and the contents are largely "original" after four Caminos between 2012 and 2017, a walk of the Dingle, a week in Paris, 10 days in the Lake Country and Scotland, and multiple domestic trips in between and since.

Seems wasteful....

[Edit: Yes, I have changed out boots once and one pair of my original trousers was turned into doll clothes by a helpful hospitalero.]

B

 

[trecile]

TBH, I am more than a little surprised that this is still "a thing".

Unfortunately, in addition to some of these tour companies there are well known pilgrims perpetuating this. Efren Gonzalez burned his clothes at Finisterre. He has since been set straight, but I don't think that he edited it out of his YouTube video.

 

[Kanga]

What surprised me the last time this came up was how many of the camino tour companies had references to this practice. I contacted a few and they all acted quickly to change their websites.

I’m sure there are still some out there, though, so if anyone sees any websites with that kind of discussion, a polite alert might do some good.

Well, surprise surprise, Caminoways still says this.


Pilgrims often burn some of their clothes or walking shoes at Cape Fisterra, overlooking the Atlantic, almost as a ritual of purification or just as a symbolic end to their long journey. Although this practice has attracted many critics in recent times, for its obvious environmental risks.

I explained to them that the practice is not just criticized, it is illegal.

For those of you with time to kill, here’s the contact form if you want to complain.

Contact Us

Contact Us CaminoWays.com

caminoways.com

Email sent.

 

[trecile]

There are still many blogs and guides that acknowledge that the practice is illegal, but still romanticize it.

It's really disrespectful to the local people. One time when I was up at the point a local resident was angrily stomping out the embers of a pilgrim's fire.

 

[trecile]

Since people really like their rituals, perhaps the local governments could promote a different kind of ritual - like scattering wildflower seeds or planting a seedling.

 

[Blister Bill]

No worries not burning clothing etc (which would have made the flight home interesting) just hope they don't outlaw the skinny dipping

 

[AidaYYC]

A number of local websites are reporting another campaign against the practice of burning boots and clothing at Fisterra. Something which locals say has given an area of natural beauty the appearance of a landfill site. Previous poster campaigns have had limited success.

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Descubre los temas más relevantes del momento con análisis, vídeos y la última hora sobre política, sociedad, economía y mucho más.

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I am glad this will not be done anymore. I certainly did not want to burn mine, if anything they will become mementoes of my trek.

 

[isawtman]

I think all my clothes and my shoes are good enough to hike another camino. And I did the full hike from St Jean. And with the price of outdoor clothing, you really don't want to be burning them.

 

[henrythedog]

Mrs Henrythedog burned all my clothes (actually every scrap of fabric) when I returned from my first Camino, having described the mere concept of bed-bugs. I had to strip off in the garden (this was early March in northern England) before I was allowed in. We live in rural isolation and the neighbours regard this as normal. My rucksack had to hang in the barn for months before I was allowed to bring it in.

 

[henrythedog]

I see Henry is posing in a newer avatar photo...is that a chimney, cairns, your garden or ?...

A very good question C; I’ll have to try to recall. Henry the (actual) dog has completed ‘The Wainwrights’ - 214 hills (it would be pretentious to call them mountains) in the English Lake District; of which this is one. As my photo library is about 99% dog it will take me a while to narrow it down.

 

[henrythedog]

I see Henry is posing in a newer avatar photo...is that a chimney, cairns, your garden or ?...

Got it. It’s a viewpoint at the southern end of lake Windermere called ‘Gummers How’

 

[Tincatinker]

In an off-line discussion with a good friend of this forum I’ve mooted starting a new tradition - pounding your smart-phone into fragments with a traditional Lighthouse brick. Anyone got a Farcebook channel where we could roll this?

 

[RJM]

Wow, how is this still an issue up for debate?
Burning stuff, anything, on the coast of Fisterre and Muxia is just plain dumb. A bad idea. It ranks up there with graffiti and soiled toilet paper strewn on the Camino path.
Offensive. Unhealthy. Illegal and gives all pilgrims a bad name.

 

[Bradypus]

Just spotted this article today about a group of high school students from Miami who will be walking the Camino at the end of June. The article refers to the burning of clothes at Finisterre " in a gesture of rebirth". I hope the writer of the article is not one of those leading these young people or suggesting that they take part in this "tradition".

https://www.elnuevoherald.com/noticias/florida/sur-de-la-florida/article273217630.html

 

[Arctic_Alex]

Just spotted this article today about a group of high school students from Miami who will be walking the Camino at the end of June. The article refers to the burning of clothes at Finisterre " in a gesture of rebirth". I hope the writer of the article is not one of those leading these young people or suggesting that they take part in this "tradition".

https://www.elnuevoherald.com/noticias/florida/sur-de-la-florida/article273217630.html

Maybe we should contact them?

 

[peregrina2000]

Just sent an email to info@cis-spain.com CIS is the Spanish university that is sponsoring/coordinating this group from Miami Boys and Girls Club.

I asked them to forward it to the proper person, since that’s the only email I saw on the webpage. This topic really gets me, the stupid, dangerous, self-indulgence of it all.

I’ll report back if I hear something. Strength in numbers, so feel free to send your own quick note.

Maybe someone in Miami can make personal contact with the group there. (yoo hoo, you know who!).

 

[El Cascayal]

Yes, Laurie, I take your subtle hint. This is horrible. In this city, you have to address these things cara a cara. Thanks for spotting this article. I will definitely work on this, calling some people and setting up appointments to see some of those in the article 2nd week of May when I’ll be back from my mini-Camino.
We should also have those on the ground in Finisterre finding out how to prohibit burning, thrashing clothing, shoes… and enforcing it.
Aymarah

 

[trecile]

It would be fantastic if there were a different kind of "rebirth" ritual for those that want to do this sort of thing. Like a project to plant seedlings somewhere in the area.

 

[alexwalker]

Protest email sent. Thanks, @peregrina2000 .

"
I just read an article about an American group walking the Camino:
https://www.elnuevoherald.com/noticias/florida/sur-de-la-florida/article273217630.html

Please inform them that it is forbidden to burn clothes/shoes/whatever at Finisterre: It has become a major pollution problem, and it is not a traditional, but modern "tradition".

Take care of the environment.

All the best,
AlexWalker"

 

[El Cascayal]

I just read the article in El Nuevo Herald the Spanish companion of the Miami Herald. They are separate newspapers and I was unable to find an article in the English paper. The article itself has some errors including that 120 kms are required for a Compostela.
The highly objectionable part is:
“Cualquiera que ha llegado hasta el cabo de Finisterre, donde se encuentra el monumento de la Bota del Peregrino, y donde los que han completado el Camino queman sus ropas en un gesto de renacimiento, pueden constatar que esta es una experiencia transformadora.”
It reads to me as this is may be the reporter’s interpretation. I am going to contact her and ask for a clarification.
Seems strange that the reference point in Madrid or Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Miami would condone this.
I will do a little research and will keep you guys posted when I know more.

 

[El Cascayal]

Hi all,
I just had a wonderful conversation with Sarah Moreno, the reporter for El Nuevo Herald in Miami. She has changed the original article online version. She is an advocate of The Camino and does not condone burning anything in Finisterre.
Aymarah

 

[trecile]

I just had a wonderful conversation with Sarah Moreno, the reporter for El Nuevo Herald in Miami. She has changed the original article online version. She is an advocate of The Camino and does not condone burning anything in Finisterre.

Thank you!!!

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi all,
I just had a wonderful conversation with Sarah Moreno, the reporter for El Nuevo Herald in Miami. She has changed the original article online version. She is an advocate of The Camino and does not condone burning anything in Finisterre.
Aymarah

Great job, Aymarah! Every little bit done to stamp out this stupid “tradition” is a job well done. Mil gracias.

 

[El Cascayal]

Here is the new link:
Adolescentes de Miami hacen el Camino de Santiago. Cómo puedes ser el próximo peregrino

https://www.elnuevoherald.com/noticias/florida/sur-de-la-florida/article273217630.html

Highlight of the new version:
“Al final de los 100 kilómetros, los espera La Compostela, el certificado que prueba que han sido peregrinos.

Cualquiera que ha llegado hasta el cabo de Finisterre, donde se encuentra el monumento de la Bota del Peregrino, y donde en el pasado estos solían quemar su ropa como símbolo de renacimiento, pueden constatar que esta es una experiencia transformadora que realmente ocurre en el trayecto. Ya nadie quema la ropa, para preservar el medio ambiente de este lugar.”

 

[trecile]

Here is the new link:
Adolescentes de Miami hacen el Camino de Santiago. Cómo puedes ser el próximo peregrino

https://www.elnuevoherald.com/noticias/florida/sur-de-la-florida/article273217630.html

View attachment 144618

Highlight of the new version:
“Al final de los 100 kilómetros, los espera La Compostela, el certificado que prueba que han sido peregrinos.

Cualquiera que ha llegado hasta el cabo de Finisterre, donde se encuentra el monumento de la Bota del Peregrino, y donde en el pasado estos solían quemar su ropa como símbolo de renacimiento, pueden constatar que esta es una experiencia transformadora que realmente ocurre en el trayecto. Ya nadie quema la ropa, para preservar el medio ambiente de este lugar.”

Much better, but I wish that she didn't say anything about burning clothes.

 

[Kathor1]

Much better, but I wish that she didn't say anything about burning clothes.

I agree. Especially since “en el pasado“ sugguests that burning one’s own clothes was some noble centuries old ritual while in reality it was simply a stupid idea of walkers during the last few decades.

 

[El Cascayal]

I wish that she didn't say anything about burning clothes.

I agree. Especially since “en el pasado“ sugguests that burning one’s own clothes was some noble centuries old ritual while in reality it was simply a stupid idea of walkers during the last few decades.

I agree and I tried. The reporter visited Finisterre pre-pandemic and was told this story there. She wanted it in her story. She also was horrified that her article might incite new burning and that is why she immediately edited it. Not bad work on a rainy, windy Miami afternoon.

 

[Kathor1]

Not bad work on a rainy, windy Miami afternoon.

Totally agree. It is great that you reacted to the article and that the reporter changed it! You set a good example!

These stories will live forever and they make a narrative more interesting. And there is a tendency to believe that just because a local, maybe a guide even, told a story that it is true and authentic. Well, they often know even less about el pasado than we on the forum do.

 

[trecile]

And there is a tendency to believe that just because a local, maybe a guide even, told a story that it is true and authentic.

I think that Brierley used to have this in his guide!

 

[Bradypus]

I think that Brierley used to have this in his guide!

In the 2014 edition of his Finisterre guide he says that the local council installed a fire pit specially for the practice. No longer the case.



And a slightly different version in the 2016 edition

 

[rojasa]

So glad this was brought to our attention, Laurie, and our resident Miami peregrina went right into action! (Vale, Aymarah!) Thanks! Inspired, I added my own dos centavos to the comments pages on a few sites (GaliciaTips, GalliWonders, et al) that still romanticize, if not outright encourage, clothes-burning in Fisterra. Was sad to see how many stock image sites there are, that post images of this. Couldn't find an obvious way to campaign against these.