New Bell Installed in Peroblasco as Symbol of Resistance Against Rural Depopulation

A new bell has been installed in the belfry of the old church in Peroblasco, a village in the Riojan municipality of Munilla. More than just a religious or historical gesture, the project is a powerful act of cultural resistance against the depopulation affecting the region.

According to local reports, the project was created by the Tenerife-based collective Esculturas Bronzo. It marks the culmination of a decades-long bond between the Canarian artists and the local residents who have worked to revitalize this Cidacos Valley village since the late 1980s.

The bell, cast in La Laguna and transported to La Rioja, features a unique design: its surface is engraved with the outlines of local homes, including their distinctive chimneys. This detail honors the village’s annual "Smoke Festival," which began in 1988. By releasing colored smoke from chimneys, the festival has long served as a symbol of the village’s life and resilience against the demographic decline that hit the area in the last century.

Technically, the 75-kilogram bell is tuned to the note G and sits in the only remaining part of the original 15th-century church, which was demolished in 2005. The creators describe the installation as a piece of "land art" or an artistic ritual. It is accompanied by an exhibition at the Casa del Burro, a local organization that has been managing cultural events in the region since 2009.

Supported by the Munilla City Council, the initiative highlights how rural associations can drive local change. In its 17-year history, the Casa del Burro has hosted over 250 events, becoming a key cultural hub in what is often called "emptied Spain." The exhibition, featuring works by Ventura Alemán, Evelina Martín, and Francis de Armas, will remain open until the end of the year, celebrating the artists' commitment to preserving rural identity and heritage.