Podcast Summary: Cuerpos Especiales – Arenillas (Soria)

EuropaFM | Hosts: Eva Soriano, Nacho García, Lalachús
Date: April 6, 2026

Episode Overview

In this installment of "Cuerpos Especiales," the morning show celebrates Spain’s rural spirit by spotlighting Arenillas, a small village in Soria. With guest Rodrigo serving as Arenillas' ambassador, the episode delves into the town’s unique identity, its fight against depopulation, vibrant local festivals, and the unmistakable draw of its famous torreznos. The tone throughout is lively, humorous, and community-centered, reflecting both the hosts' playful banter and the genuine pride of their rural guest.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Introduction to the Segment

• Rotating Town Features: Each week, towns are featured with listeners voting for their favorite on Friday, and winners receive a special kit from Cuerpos Especiales.
  • [00:12] Nacho: "Cuando terminemos de hablar con el último, el viernes abriremos votación en EUROPFM.com para que el representante del pueblo que más votos consiga se lleve un kit de cuerpos especiales."

Getting to Know Arenillas

• The Town and Its People:

  • Rodrigo is introduced as the guest ambassador.
    • [00:25] Eva: “Ya tenemos al habla nuestro embajador rural de hoy. Buenos días, Rodrigo, ¿cómo estás?”
    • Rodrigo: “Hola, buenos días. ¿Todo bien? Gracias por llamar.”
  • Arenillas is a small village in the south of Soria.
  • The curious term for locals: "Lerines y Lerinas," derived from another village, Lerín, in Navarra.
    • [00:52-01:11] Rodrigo: “Nos llaman Lerines y Lerinas... Deve ser que en algún momento mucha gente de ese pueblo de Navarra vino por aquí.”
    • Eva (playful): “Perdóname, Rodrigo, tenéis un gentilicio de un sitio que no es el vuestro.”

• Population Stability & Community:

  • Despite rural depopulation trends, Arenillas has maintained around 40 residents since the 1980s, which is highly unusual for the region.
    • [01:50-02:22] Rodrigo: “Habrá viviendo unas cuarenta y pico personas... llevamos 40 y pico años que no ha bajado la población...”

Daily Life in Arenillas

• Atmosphere and Social Life:
  • Tranquil, agricultural, and with a sense of community.
  • The heart of social life: the only bar in town, which also attracts villagers from surrounding areas.
    • [03:19] Rodrigo: "No, no, tiene uno [bar]."
    • Nacho: “Cuando has dicho tiene bar, ya está. Y es el bar de la zona, entiendo.”

Festivals & Events: The Boinafest

• Summer Festivities:
  • Arenillas holds traditional summer fiestas in August, but the standout event is the Boinafest, an annual festival organized for 12 years.
    • [03:42-04:20] Rodrigo: “Justo antes de las fiestas patronales tenemos un fiestón... hacemos un festival desde hace 12 años que se llama Boinafest... de 40 pasamos a 1200 personas... ha venido gente de toda España y han pasado artistas como Grison, Wilbur. En la pandemia liamos a Rosalén…”
  • The Boinafest is a celebration against depopulation, drawing national attention and tripling the town’s population during the event.
    • Eva: “Jolines. Oye, pues me gusta mucho cómo ya no duplicáis, quintuplicáis al máximo con el Boinafest.”

Food: The Famous Torrezno

• Culinary Talk:
  • The hosts joke about Soria’s fame for torreznos.
    • Nacho: “Si quieres respuesta de sí torreznos la podéis responder vosotros… Me da felicidad oír hablar de esto.” [04:26]
  • Rodrigo notes that, historically, torreznos were made at home, but now are a point of pride for Soria and widely known.
    • Rodrigo: “Los Torred es una cosa que hace veinte, treinta años la gente no sabía, ¿No? Que era. Y aquí cada una fía en su casa de su matanza particular... ahora es una cosa que es una locura.”
  • The authenticity of "torreznos de Soria" outside Soria is questioned.
    • Eva: "is not Torrez." [05:24]
    • Rodrigo: “Exacto. Y a lo mejor el Torreno es de Soria, pero no se trata de saber hacerlo.”

Allegato Final: Why Vote for Arenillas

• One-Minute Defense: Rodrigo passionately defends Arenillas as the village to support, citing:
  • 40 years combating depopulation
  • 7 municipal rental homes to attract families
  • An active sociocultural association
  • A unique tourist hostel
  • The Boinafest festival as a creative, national movement against rural depopulation
    • [05:54-06:50] Rodrigo: “Arenillas es un pueblo muy especial, principalmente por lo que he comentado antes de la lucha contra la despoblación... llevamos ya 12 años realizando este festival contra la despoblación que se llama Boinafest, donde convocamos artistas de la España vaciada…”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Gentilicio fun:

  • Eva [01:17]: “¿Cómo tenéis un gentilicio de un sitio que no es el vuestro?”
  • Nacho [01:25]: “Habéis robado un gentilicio.” (Joking tone)

• On Population Stability:

  • Rodrigo [01:50]: “Llevamos 40 y pico años que no ha bajado la población.”

• On the Boinafest transformation:

  • Rodrigo [03:54]: “De 40 pasamos a 1200 personas.”

• Local pride:

  • Rodrigo [05:54]: “Tenemos una asociación sociocultural, disponemos de un albergue turístico único en la zona… llevamos ya 12 años realizando este festival contra la despoblación…”

Important Timestamps

• [00:25] Introduction to Rodrigo & Arenillas
• [01:11] Origin and oddity of the "Lerines/Lerinas" gentilicio
• [01:50–02:22] Discussion on population trends and uniqueness of Arenillas
• [03:19] Description of the town’s only bar as the social hotspot
• [03:42–04:20] Boinafest festival: inception, impact, and national draw
• [04:41–05:35] The rise of the Torrezno and its authentic preparation
• [05:54–06:50] Rodrigo’s final defense pitch for Arenillas
• [06:57–07:05] Call to visit Arenillas for the Boinafest

Takeaways

This episode paints a vibrant portrait of Arenillas—a microcosm of rural resilience, creativity, and community spirit. Through Rodrigo’s stories, listeners are invited to discover a town that punches far above its weight, fighting depopulation and building identity through shared traditions and festive innovation. The playful banter of the hosts wraps the episode in warmth and humor, making Arenillas feel not just like a dot on the map, but a real, living community worth celebrating.