history and myths of an almost unknown region

Even the Phoenicians visited the northwest coast of Asturia to transport tin from here to Egypt. But celtic immigrants are said to be the real ancestors of the asturian people and their roots are kept in asturian folkmusic. After the celtic immigrants the Romans occupied the country. Beside monuments and other buildings they left their language - spanish language developed from vulgar Latin. Visigoths followed and took over dominion of the decayed empire. They also left their traces in asturian culture.

The invasion of the Moors was not successful. In the year 722 they were defeated in the legendary battle of Covadonga. Today this place is a sacred and famous pilgrim place. From here the "Reconque" started and the first plain stone churches in preroman style were built.The famous pilgrim´s way to Santiago de Compostela and its sideways along the coast brought lots of contact to the rest of Europe. This is the reason for the strongly middle european orientated northspanish culture. Inhabitants of the south think that this northern region - called Costa Verde - is the country´s real exotic part.

Asturias are friendly people, who like to celebrate, to sing and to dance. They still care for their traditional customs and tell the old stories of the "Nubero", who rids on a cloud and throws lighting and rain; storries of "Xanas", beautyful fountain nymphs, who fullfil wishes as soon as they are liberated from enchantment; of treasure awarding dragons, charming sirens, mischieves dwarfs und joking devils; about the torches of the souls running aimlessly around at night, about the witches' excursions and about holy fires at the midsummernight.

This background fascinated and inspired Jon Michael Winkler to compose the "Suite Asturiana".