This was announced by the Princess of Asturias Foundation in a statement on Monday, September 4. The jury of the foundation has agreed to award the 2023 Exemplary Town of Asturias Award to the parishes of Arroes, Pion and Candanal (Villaviciosa) “for preserving a diversified economy based on local resources”, which has allowed “a recovery of the social base in recent years thanks to the growth and rejuvenation of its population.
It also values ”the technological innovation arising from the territory, based on tradition and with the involvement of the neighbors, it constitutes a valid model to replicate in other places”. The heiress, honorary president of the Foundation that bears her name, will be in charge of delivering the award next October.
The valley of Pion (Pion and Candanal) has 584 residents and Arroes with 445. The council’s economy is based on family farms dedicated to beef and milk cattle. These farms have an economic and also an environmental role because they contribute to the conservation of important areas of meadows and pastures that function as firebreaks against possible forest fires. Livestock is complemented by orchard (apple) plantations, which allow the activity of cider presses, and with forest income provided by the eucalyptus and pine forests.