This self-directed project is an ode to my cultural roots. In Catalonia, the 31st of October is celebrated as Castanyada, a traditional autumn festivity centered around chestnuts (castanya in Catalan). Traditionally, people would gather in town squares to buy chestnuts from elderly women who had collected them in the forest, roasted them on stoves, and sold them wrapped in old newspapers.
All graphic elements were created by hand. Because of their small scale, the illustrations carry imperfections and visible traces of human touch. This is something I intentionally embraced as part of the work’s character and authenticity.
One of the folkloric figures associated with Castanyada appears in traditional songs: Marrameu Torra Castanyes, a cat who lies by the fire and (according to the tale) eventually dies after a chestnut explodes in his face.
Beyond the celebration itself, Castanyada is closely tied to the wider atmosphere of autumn in Catalunya. I chose to illustrate these seasonal elements as well, expanding the visual narrative beyond the festivity.
Behind the scenes:
