Elías Valiña: a well-deserved tribute

The Oficina de Acogida al Peregrino in Santiago de Compostela will pay tribute to Elías Valiña, marking the 35th anniversary of his passing. The event will take place on December 11 at 11:00 AM at Rúa das Carretas, 33. This tribute celebrates the life and legacy of one of the greatest advocates of the Camino de Santiago.

As part of the event, a sculpture of Elías Valiña, created by Oscar Aldonza, will be unveiled. Attendees can also enjoy a live streaming of the podcast La Flecha Amarilla (The Yellow Arrow) and a musical performance, Músicas en el Camino, featuring Moisés Quintas and Aser Álvarez. Additionally, the premiere of the documentary Elías Valiña. El inventor de las flechas amarillas (“Elías Valiña: the inventor of the yellow arrows”) will be showcased.

Elías Valiña Sampedro (1929–1989) was a Galician priest who dedicated his life to revitalizing the Camino de Santiago. As the parish priest of O Cebreiro, he spearheaded the recovery of the French Camino, which at the time was in decline. One of his greatest contributions was the creation of the yellow arrows, a marking system that has become a universal symbol of the Camino. These simple markings, initially painted using materials he obtained through personal effort, have guided thousands of pilgrims over the decades.

Valiña was also a dedicated scholar, authoring in-depth studies about the Camino de Santiago. His vision and efforts were instrumental in the Camino being declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and in its global recognition as a spiritual and cultural route.

Although he passed away before witnessing the full revitalization of the Camino, the impact of his mission continues to influence pilgrims and communities. This year’s tribute not only honors his contributions but also reinforces the Camino’s significance as an experience of sharing and transformation.