San Juan festivities are celebrated in multitude of Basque Country’s villages, it is the beginning of the summer celebrations.
The night of San Juan, June 23, is the most short of the year in the north hemisphere and means the victory of the light on the darkness. The day of San Juan is a party spread over every Euskal Herria. In their rituals the principal characteristics are the sun, the fire and the water, and the bonfires that are ignited this night preserve of any evil for one year. Former a bonfire was burned and the men of the “caserios” were passing the cattle over the ashes in order to protect the animals of all the evils, for this the legend says that the ashes treat the diseases of the skin and that it is suitable to jump the bonfire a minimum of three times to have a good year. These customs are related to the Basque mythology.
Basque Country with the arrival of San Juan boils in parties, of neighborhoods, rituals and bonfires. Continuation or substitute of the tree of May, is one of the traditions most established in our villages. Squads of young men or of mature men place a peeled trunk, the tree of San Juan, in the squares of the villages.
We begin our tour from Laguardia, in the “Rioja alavesa”, on June 23 at one o’clock at midday the bells sound and the powerful kick announces the beginning of the celebration. The flag is hoisted in the balcony of the Town hall, between the sound of the flageolets and the noise of the rockets, they begin a party that will end with the final strake and the burial of the cask.
On the same 23rd in the early afternoon, the basque dancers, with the “Cachimorro” to the head, intend, forming a curious procession, in search of the mayor and the “regidor síndico”, whom they lead up to the square, where one proceeds to get down Laguardia’s flag. The decrease is realized directly from the balcony to the street, gathering her one of the personnel from the Town hall, delivering it to the “regidor síndico”. Forthwith the delivery of flowers takes place.
After this, the guests and the Town hall in Corporation, go preceded by the basque dancers, the “Cachimorro” and the flageolet-players towards the church of San Juan. Already in the church, they gives up the Flag of the villa before Our Lady of Pilar and the Holy San Juan, by means of the traditional ceremony of the tremolación of the flag. The major attraction that the party of San Juan present, probably be the confinements of brave beasts
We continue our way to Salvatierra on San Juan’s eve it was beginning with a chime of bells at one o’clock at midday, crossing the “txistularis” the streets playing the “Sanjuanada”. At one o’clock in the morning the neighbors of Agurain “plant the black poplar” on the square of San Juan. For it there are two groups, one to every end, and pull a rope, until the trunk is managed to put of foot. Later, it is fixed in the hole arranged for this purpose and they dance and sing around the black poplar, while, some young men climb over the tree, untying the string. Then the young men try to rise as high as possible the black poplar. Later it continues the celebration direction to the old hull and the dance in this square. This night, also it was a custom to put bouquets of flowers in the balconies of the young girls and to do water of roses to wash to the dawn.
The day of San Juan in the morning celebrates High Mass in the church of San Juan, after which a procession along the square is realized by the image of “San Juanico”, that child represents San Juan. Later there takes place the infantile tamborrada and the parade of coaches, designed and adorned from agreement to a representative subject matter of the municipality, which take part in a contest. In the evening the neighbors of the villa come to the square of the Town hall with the snack, distributing the council wine for everyone. The party continues with dance in the square of San Juan.
We continue the celebration in Vizcaya where we can emphasize Bermeo. Here on eve of the festivity of San Juan a great bonfire is done in the Plaza of the Town hall. About the bonfire fourteen witches dance and when the fire goes going out the children and the witches jump on the bonfire, also they throw clothes and old objects in order that good health and luck is had all the year round.
On June 24 it is celebrated the day of San Juan by a pilgrimage from Bermeo up to Gastelugatxe’s San Juan, goes away to the hermitage of San Juan and on having come one touches three times the bell. There scapularies are sold by the image of San Juan. This day they eat a few delicious doughnuts that are done by flour of wheat, sugar, eggs, milk, butter and anise. Former fragrant herbs were gathered and were removing to the church of San Juan to bless them during the mass. These branches of fragrant herbs were guarding in the berth between the girders and the roof until the following year and on eve bonfire of San Juan they were burning.
San Juan Baptizer also is the patron saint of Leioa and his celebration takes place in Elexalde’s neighborhood, is celebrated with traditionally ” Aurresku de Anteiglesia, ” secular recently recovered dance. The ” Night of the Bonfires “, the previous day, it is celebrated the beginning of the summer solstice.In the program of this celebration we can emphasize the txupinazo and the “pasacalles with txistularis” on June 20, the fair of Basque products and “barrenadores” the same day at one o’clock at midday, the championship of basque sports on Sunday at six o’clock in the afternoon, the fireworks in eve of San Juan and the performance of bertsolaris and the games of professional ball on June 24 in the evening.
More than 3.000 torches light on the festive eve, the most short and magic night of the year in Muskiz, there many people are useful to ask for his desires, and it is said and assured that in Muskiz’s bonfire they are fulfilled. Muskiz celebrates also its patron saint’s celebration in these dates, we can emphasize in the schedule the “txupinazo” in the Meatzari’s square with the group of “txistularis”, the band of music and the performance of street’s theatre, in this year the OTXOTE MUÑATONES on the occasion of 50 anniversary of his creation will be the manager of reading the proclamation and of shooting the txupín, gastronomic contests, Basque dances, txistularis, “pelota mano”, “barrenadores”, sardines barbacued, “trikitixa”, basque sports, popular dinners, fireworks and an endless number of activities more.
In Navarra is necessary to stand out Burguete, where this day dances the Trebolé and Torralba del Rio, where they stage, with participation of the whole people, Juan Lobo’s apprehension - legendary bandit of the Low Midle Age- and the confreres of San Juan dance the traditional Dance of the Raft. On the other hand, in Zugarramurdi’s caves, on the night of the nearest Saturday to San Juan a party is celebrated, the “Akelarre”, in which, the witches dance to the sound of the “txalaparta” until the “zanpantzar” appear making sound his bells in order to banish them.
And finally in Guipuzcoa we can emphasize Tolosa with its Bordon-Dantza. The legend says that has his origin in the frontier fights of the Middle Ages, when in Beotibar’s battle the Guipuzcoa’s troops obtained an important victory on the Navarra’s ones. The peculiarity of this dance is that is realized by “bordones” and “alabardas”, that they award a showiness and still major solemnity. The number of dancers ranges about twenty four. The dance is included inside a festive, boisterous environment and colorful: dances, ostentation of weapon, musicians, processions, bulls, etc.
Ended the High Mass all the elements of the feast are founded on an alone environment. Later they will cross the streets, before adorned, where several stops take place to interpret the dance of the “bordones”. While, the soldiers’ companies get lost for the alleys in their to be going and to come to the sound of their fifes and drums. The celebration rests until the eve hour, moment in that re-join corporation and “bordon dantzaris” to come to the church. Later to the bulls and to end the day, how not, a “Aurresku” in Igarondo’s meadow.
In addition as prelude to the popular parties of San Juan, Tolosa celebrates an extraordinary fair that puts within reach of the visitors products of all kinds. Hereby, in the square of the Triangle fruits and vegetables can be acquired, besides products delicatessen as pâté and delicious sweets elaborated by the prestigious local confectioners. On the other hand, in the Walk of San Francisco, a group of thirthy show a wide range of food and other products. Since it comes being habitual in this type of fairs, also he has made dedicated to the crafts. The pottokas have their hollow in the event, since besides the exhibition, the smallest they can walk on the above mentioned animals. For them more activities are organized: giants, diverse games, workshops.
In addition we can talk about the Zortziko of San Juan in Andoain. The traditional dances tack the acts that on the occasion of San Juan are celebrated in the of Guipuzcoa locality. One of these dances (the zortziko) is led by members of the municipal corporation. Together with this one also the “Axari-dantza” is danced or the ” Soka-dantza ” the bonfires presides at many of the dances.
In Hernani is traditional that on the 24th, June 25 and 26, coinciding with the patron saint celebration, dances before the dances called “Maskuri-dantza” (dance of the bladder), a traditional dance, which now has turned into the “Azeri”" (dance of the fox), since in the decade of the 80 a person added with the mask of a fox that was accompanying on the dance.
The festivity of San Juan in Eibar acquires force in the day of the 23rd, when the “txistularis” dance the “Zortziko” and the adults touch the drum for the streets of the municipality. A roped bull does the young men’s and adults’ delights, as the spectacle of fire in the day of the saint. Infantile drums and rural sport of the land complete this festivity of Basque character.
The main celebration of Arrasate-Mondragon’s municipality are celebrated the day of San Juan. The ” Errementeri dantza ” that is celebrated in eve of San Juan, June 23, during the latter years has achieved a grand success. This dance ends with the “Zortziko” danced close to the fire and in this dance numerous groups of the municipality take part, the groups of dances of Arrasate, the band of music of Arrasate, groups of “txistularis”, pipers of Arrasate, “trikitilaris”, “albokalaris” and “txalapartaris”.
MOST INTERESTING ACTIVITIES OF 2009 SAN JUAN CELEBRATIONS
ALAVA
Laguardia
23 junio
17:00 Los clásicos y renombrados DANZARINES, con su popular CACHIMORRO y la Agrupación Musical, acompañarán a la Sra. Alcaldesa y Regidor Sindico desde sus domicilios a la casa Consistorial.
17:15 Una vez ENTREGADOS LOS RAMOS por los Danzarines en la Plaza Mayor, tradicional procesión Cívico-religiosa desde la Casa Consistorial a la parroquia de San Juan Bautista, asistiendo el Ayuntamiento en Corporación, Autoridades e Invitados, precedidos por danzarines, dulzaineros y banda de música. Acto seguido, ceremonia antigua y tradicional del TREMOLAR Y RENDIR LA BANDERA de la Villa ante nuestra Sra. La Virgen del Pilar y el Sto. Patrono, cantándose a continuación LAS VISPERAS SOLEMNES, así como la Salve a Nuestra Señora del Pilar por la CORAL DE LAGUARDIA, con la veneración de las reliquias del Santo.
24 junio
14:00 Tradicional encierro de Reses Bravas. Ganadería Pincha de Lodosa.Tras el encierro, tradicional bajada de las Peñas bailando, desde la Plaza de Toros hasta la Plaza Mayor, el “CELEDÓN”.
18:00 Al igual que el día anterior, los DANZARINES, con el CACHIMORRO y la AGRUPACIÓN MUSICAL, acompañaran a la Sra. Alcaldesa y Regidor Síndico desde sus domicilios a la Casa Consistorial, repitiéndose los mismos actos en la Iglesia de San Juan.
18:30 CONCURSO de RECORTADORES en la plaza de Toros.
VIZCAYA
Leioa
23 junio
21:00 Sardinada. Zona Txosnas.
21:30 Bertso Saioa. Pza. Sabino Arana.
22:00 Romería. Zona Txosnas.
22:30 Espectáculo LA NOCHE DE SAN JUAN.Boulevard - Ayuntamiento
23:15 Hoguera de San Juan en el AYUNTAMIENTO.
0:00 Akelarre de la noche de San Juan y romería. Zona Txosnas.
0:00 FUEGOS ARTIFICIALES. PIROTECNIA ZARAGOZANA.
Muskiz
23 junio
22:30 Reparto de ANTORCHAS en la estación y BAJADA hasta la Sanjuanada con el Zanpanzar, txistularis, trompetas y la banda de música.
23:15 Exhibición de FUEGOS ARTIFICIALES a cargo de la pirotecnia Z. CABALLER.
24 junio
12:30 MISA MAYOR y AURRESKU DE HONOR. Durante la misa cantará el OTXOTE MUÑATONES.
19:00 HERRI KIROLAK, con prueba de penthatlon.
GUIPUZCOA
Eibar
23 junio
11:00 desde Untzaga, Zortziko de San Juan, a cargo de la Banda de Txistularis Usartza, acompañada de metales.
13:00 en la calle Estación, recibimiento a los Dulzaineros de Estella y pasacalle hasta la Plaza de Untzaga, acompañados por la Corporación, y representantes de la Coral Sostoa, Casa Cultural de Galicia As Burgas y Eibar Rugby Taldea y las cuadrillas.
19:00 desde Urkizu, pasacalle de la Comparsa de Gigantes de Deba y los Dulzaineros de Estella.
19:30 embolados, con vaquillas del marqués de Saka.
0:00 en Untzaga, Himno de San Juan. A continuación Alarde de Tamborrada.
Tolosa
21 junio
9:00 A lo largo de todo el día Encuentro de Instrumentos Autóctonos. Dulzaineros, txalapartaris, albokalaris y trikitilaris recorrerán las calles de la Villa.
11:00 Salida de la comparsa de gigantes y cabezudos acompañados por los Dulzaineros de Tolosa, desde la Plaza Zaharra.
12:00 Regatas de bateles en el río Oria (clasificatorias).
18:00 En la plaza de toros, V concurso de recorte libre con novillos-toros en puntas.
23 junio
19:30 En el Tinglado festival de bertsolaris: Aitor Mendiluze, Amaia Agirre, Bixente Gorostidi, Mikel Artola, Aitzol Barandiaran y Jokin Sorozabal, presentador Iker Iriarte.
19:30 El Excmo. Ayuntamiento en corporación partirá de Plaza Zaharra, para asistir a las tradicionales vísperas y completas en la capilla de San Juan de Arramele.
20:00 En la plaza Verdura, concierto de la Orquesta de Acordeones Isidro Larrañaga.
22:00 Se encenderá la tradicional fogata de San Juan en la Plaza Santa María presidida por la corporación; actuación del grupo de danzas Udaberri y la Banda de Música de Tolosa, que interpretará el zortziko de San Juan, recorriendo a continuación las calles de la villa. Seguidamente actuará la coral “Hodeiertz”.
24 junio
9:30 Concentración en Plaza Zaharra de las distintas compañías de escopeteros, junto con la Banda de Música. Diana, desfile y posterior celebración, recuerdo de las antiguas milicias forales guipuzcoanas, del Alarde de San Juan, presidida por la Corporación municipal.
10:00 Solemne misa mayor en la parroquia de Santa María; cantará el coro de la capilla Santa Maria. A continuación, tradicional procesión de San Juan Bautista, con asistencia del Excmo. Ayuntamiento en corporación, con la participación de cofradías, los dantzaris de Tolosa y gigantes; simultáneamente los escopeteros de las sociedades recreativas, harán las salvas de ordenanza en distintos lugares del recorrido. Terminados los actos religiosos, nueva concentración de compañías en el Triangulo. Descargas finales.
16:45 El Exmo. Ayuntamiento en corporación junto con Banda de Música, txistularis, bordondantzaris y escopeteros partirá de Plaza Zarra para asistir en cuerpo de comunidad a las tradicionales vísperas en la iglesia parroquial de Santa María y a continuación a las completas en la capilla de San Juan de Arramele. Terminados los actos religiosos, la corporación, Bordondantzaris, Txistularis, Banda de Música y escopeteros acudirán al Triángulo donde tendrán lugar las descargas finales. Seguidamente se bailará el tradicional aurresku.
18:00 En la Plaza de Toros espectáculo ecuestre: “El zahorí y sus caballos”.
Hernani
23 junio
11:45 Presentación y homenaje a Hernaniko Errugbi Elkartea, elegido por la comisión popular de fiestas para presidir los actos de izada y arriada de banderas al comienzo y final de fiestas, con actuación de txalapartaris, bertsolaris y dantzaris.
12:00 Comienzo oficial de fiestas, con izada de banderas a cargo de Hernaniko Errugbi Elkartea y lanzamiento de cohetes. La Banda de Txistularis de Hernani interpretará ante el Ayuntamiento la “Marcha de San Juan” y recorrerá las calles al son del “Triku-Triku”, acompañando a la comparsa de gigantes y cabezudos bailada por Krikitiña dantza taldea. Asimismo recorrerán las calles el alumnado de txistu, dultzaina, alboka, trikitixa y acordeón, así como la banda de alumnos y alumnas de la escuela Pública de Música “Hernani”.
20:00 Solemne Salve en la Parroquia de San Juan Bautista.
20:30 La Banda de Música de Hernani recorrerá las calles interpretando la “Marcha de San Juan”.
21:30 Hoguera de San Juan, aurresku popular y San Juan kantaita.
23:00 Tamborrada. Sociedad Santa Bárbara.
24 junio
11:00 Misa Mayor concelebrada en honor del Santo Patrón de la Parroquia.
11:30 Tamborrada infantil. Sociedad Santa Bárbara y Sociedad Etxeberri.
18:00 Concurso de Baile Suelto con la Colaboración de Krikitiña Dantza Taldea en Gudarien plaza.
23:45 Toros de fuego en Zinkoenea plaza.
0:00 Kalejira y romería de danzas populares con dulzaineros. Para finalizar “larrain dantza” en Plaza Berria.
25 junio
9:00 Azeri dantza.
17:30 Ponis y vaquillas niños y niñas en la pista deportiva de Latsurbe auzoa.
22:00 Romería con Patxi Perez y su grupo en Plaza Berria.
26 junio
7:30 Sokamuturra.
9:00 Azeri dantza.
10:00 Juegos populares, exhibición de gimnasia y actuación coral en el Centro Social Goiz Eguzki. A continuación entrega de trofeos y lunch.
19:30 Bertsolaris en Gudarien Plaza. Maialen Lujanbio, Amets Arzallus, Beñat Gaztelumendi y Julio Soto. Sociedad Elur Txori.
27 junio
7:30 Sokamuturra.
9:00 Azeri dantza.
11:30 Exhibición de arrastre de piedra con bueyes en Gudarien plaza. Sociedad Elur Txori.
12:30 Eliminatoria de la Liga de Campeones de Aizkolaris de Oro y exhibición de deporte rural en Ezkiaga pasealekua.
Sociedad Elur Txori.
17:30 Ponis y vaquillas para niños y niñas en la pista deportiva de Latsunbe auzoa.
18:00 Partidos de pelota en categoría profesional en el frontón del polideportivo.
