The Expedition 4.0 to the Middle Ages continues to advance and leave its mark on the media throughout Navarre. During recent months, various publications have highlighted the importance of the projects led by the Occidens Foundation, which combine heritage, art, spirituality, and citizen participation.
From the recovery of medieval music and dances to the creation of new giants for the Pamplona Cathedral, each initiative is part of the same vision: to revive the spirit of the Middle Ages through sustainability and innovation.
Medieval music and dances: rescuing the sound of the past
The portal Navarra.com reported on October 22, 2024, on the Occidens Foundation’s project to recover the musical and dance heritage of the Middle Ages in the Archdiocese of Pamplona and Tudela.
This study covers festivities, choreographies, and popular repertoires of the transition to the Renaissance, aiming to revive the medieval folk legacy.
The initiative is part of Expedition 4.0 to the Middle Ages, recognized with the Sustainable Church Award and funded by the Ministry of Tourism, Industry, and Commerce.
The new giants of the Pamplona Cathedral
In January 2025, several media outlets such as COPE Navarra, Diario de Navarra, and Diario de Noticias announced the recovery of two of the six original giants of the Pamplona Cathedral, which disappeared in the 19th century.
The project, promoted by the Occidens Foundation, combines historical research, art, and digital technology. Artist Jorge Urdánoz recreates the figures using 3D modeling, referencing 16th-century documents and paintings from the era.
The new sculptures are not copies, but contemporary reinterpretations inspired by the Renaissance, featuring symbolic clothing and historical details.
This project is part of the interdiocesan program Expedition 4.0 to the Middle Ages, involving the dioceses of Toledo, Granada, Burgos, Bilbao, Plasencia, Jaca, and Barbastro-Monzón, supported by European NextGenerationEU funds.
Art, faith, and sustainable tourism
According to Religión Digital, the Expedition 4.0 to the Middle Ages project is a pioneering initiative that seeks to revitalize medieval religious heritage and promote inclusive and sustainable cultural tourism.
The Occidens Foundation unites art, spirituality, and technology to offer immersive experiences that bring the past closer to the present, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the vision of Laudato Si’.
Open call: bearers for the new giants
In June 2025, Iglesia Navarra and Pamplona Actual announced the opening of a public call to form the team of bearers and dancers who will bring the new Cathedral giants to life.
Those selected will receive training in historical dance and Renaissance music, with rehearsals between September and November 2025, and performances scheduled for 2026, including the Corpus Christi procession and the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin.
The new giants already have a presence on social media:
- X (Twitter): @gigantescatepam
- Instagram: @gigantes.catedralpamplona
- TikTok: @gigantescatedralpamplona
- Facebook y YouTube
A look into the future
The different media agree: Navarre is once again looking to the past to project itself into the future.
The recovery of medieval music and the Cathedral giants is not only a heritage initiative but also an example of cultural collaboration, sustainability, and social innovation.
Expedition 4.0 to the Middle Ages proves that history remains alive when it is made to dance again.
Occidens Foundation — Expedition 4.0 to the Middle Ages A journey through time, faith, and culture.
