Saint Mary Magdalene’s day is celebrated in multiple localities of Basque Country, in Vizcaya in Busturialdea’s region, overcoat in Bermeo, Mundaka and Elantxobe, and in other zones like Arrigorriaga, Plentzia and Trapagaran, in Alava in Artziniega, Ayala or Bernedo(Urturi) and in Guipuzcoa we can enjoy this celebration in Errenteria. In some of the festivities the character stands out folkloriko as in Bermeo and in others the extensive festive progam stands out with multiple activities for all the tastes.

Celebrations in  Vizcaya

Bermeo, Mundaka and Elantxobe

Great part of Busturialdea’s region celebrates the emblematic holiday of the Saint Mary Magdalene, but this one acquires special relevancy in the municipalities of Bermeo, Mundaka and Elantxobe. Thousands of persons decked with shirt of nankeen approach to the above mentioned localities to enjoy the unsurpassable festive environment.

The municipalities of Bermeo and Mundaka commemorate and re-live with a maritime pilgrimage through the dispute for the custody of Izaro’s Island. There is so ancient the celebration that one does not know the origin, though in 1641 already existed, ecclesiastic writings certify it. For then a convent was occupying the island and to it they were coming, according to these documents, ” Justice and Regiment, and more of neighbors in pinazas and boats “. To be a witness and participant of ‘ The Madalenas ‘ it is necessary to obtain a craft, and for lack of seaworthy friends who take us, it can only to rent a seat to whom to this business they devote themselves.

On the 22nd in Bermeo in the church of Holy Eufemia at eleven o’clock in the morning the High Mass takes place, every year the txistularis touch the ‘ Zortziko of the Magdalene ‘ and Bermeo’s municipal Corporation initiates this long day coming to the High Mass. Little later, the fanfarres encourage the streets of the village with their music and a representation of the local authorities divides by ship towards Elantxobe, with the traditional stop in Izaro’s posterior part to throw the tile and to claim this way Bermeo’s possession on the island. The island, which visit is prohibited, does an exception allowing that a councilmen’s couple they should crown her to place Bermeo’s flag and the flag of Euzkadi.

The mayor throws then to the sea a tile while there declares the phrase ” Horraino heltzen dira Bermeoko ittiginak ” (Even there Bermeo’s goterones come), and though in the practice it turns out to be only a symbolic act, the reality is that it reflects a declaration of intentions that the congregated ones celebrate among clamor of sirens: up to this place our roofs come, here it ends our village. In the evening, the ship goes from Elantxobe to Mundaka, coming one hour and a half later to Bermeo. Passacaglias and fanfares receive the crew members, who go to the town hall of the locality. Is in the habit of as final colophon celebrating a multitudinous concert.

What is celebrated is the possession of the island that, as the legend tells, Bermeo and Mundaka were disputed by Elantxobe’s arbitrament in a ditch that there ended up by winning the bermeotarras, whom, depend the side from which the history is narrated, they accuse of crooked for igniting bonfires to be deceptive to the roosters, which singing was marking the exit. Tale or reality, the relation of three localities becomes closer in Madalenas, since, after signing the record of Izaro’s possession, the crafts go to Elantxobe, where the mayor delivers his rod to that of Bermeo. High place at the time to take something and to eat until six o’clock in the afternoon and embark again course to Mundaka, where the scene among the agents chief executive repeats itself.  From there they return to Bermeo at 19.30 hours to live through other one of the most rowed moments, the entry to the port, with the horns as sonorous band of the feast that will extend until the body lasts.

Arrigorriaga

In Arrigorriaga the principal activities that are celebrated are exhibitions of rural sport, Fair of Crafts, Folklore International Festival, gastronomic contest, and all kinds of cultural, sports and playful activities. We stand out of the program of this celebration of this year:

Friday july 17

18:30 h. PRECHUPINAZO. It encourages to the whole people to assemble in Lanbarketa’s Neighborhood to realize the descent, entertained for trikitixas, txistularis and zanpantzarras, up to the Plaza Argala, accompanied by AAVV Lanbarketa. THAT NOBODY IS ABSENT!!
19:30 h. Txalapartas, aizkolaris y bertsolaris at Argala’s square.
20:00 h. The celebration begins. BIG CHUPINAZO From the balcony of the Sociocultural Center. Later music with the fanfare Kuklux.
20:15 h. CABEZUDOS at Argala’s square.

Saturday july 18

13:00 h. EXHIBITION OF TRAINING DOG at Argala’s square.
19:00 h. EUSKAL DANTZAK, at Argala’s square, for Aritz Berri Dantza Taldea.
19:00 h. TXISTORRADA organized by Upo Mendi Lagun Elkartea. They will distribute in the park Lehendakari Agirre.
22:00 h. In the fronton of the Polysport one, FESTIVAL OF BALL PROFESSIONALS, in the modality of I RUN PAIR(COUPLE). Supported by Cements Rezola. Entry 15 €.
BERASALUZE IX-URBERUAGA TITIN III-PASCUAL
ARITZ LASA-ARRUTI XALA-GOÑI III

Wednesday july 22

11:00 h. HIGH MASS sung by the Choir Erein. Festivity of Holy Mary Magdalene, the FLORAL OFFERING will realize the Association Madalen, in honor to our mistress.
13:00 h. Degustation of txakoli and olives in the low ones of the Town hall with the collaboration of the squad Aiko Maikoa.
19:30 h. The XXIst. FOLKLORIK FESTIVAL . With the groups: “Zlatna Trakia” of Bulgaria, ” My pretty Costa Rica ” of Costa Rica and Andra Mari Eusko Dantzari Taldea. They will go out in Kalejira of the Polysport one at 19:00 h. towards Walk Urgoiti, passing for the Argala’s square and finishing their tour for Severo Ochoa up to coming again to the Polysport one at 19:30 h., in Aritz Berri’s company Dantza Taldea.
23:00 h. PIROMUSICAL SPECTACLE of the hand of Pyrotechnics Valecea. To enjoy this spectacle of pyrotechnics synchronized with music, it is recommended to place in the surrounding areas of Lonbo’s parking.

Saturday july 25

10:00 h. - 14:00 h. The XXVIth. GASTRONOMIC CONTEST: COD, PAELLA AND TORTILLA. 20 prizes and obsequiousnesses for the rest of participants!. Organized by Ángel Minguez. Up to them 10:00 inscription in the Park Ugertza. Among whom they take part to local level a trip of weekend will avoid for two persons for gentility of Trips Ecuador.
11:00 h. EXHIBITION OF GAMES OF BALL in the fronton of the Polysport one. It organizes School of Ball Arguia.
Elezkano - Aretxabaleta / Dorronsolo
Obregón Elezkano - Larrinaga / Beitia - Landaburu
12:00 h. The IInd PASSACAGLIAS OF ALBOKARIS AND PANDEROJOLEAK in Eugenio Etxeberria’s recollection, from the Blood donors’ square up to the square Argala.
19:00 h. PILGRIMAGE DANTZA-SQUARE with the group Zeina, in the square Argala. Good occasion to learn to dance! Gratefulness to Fabrics Mari for the donation of a suit that will be avoided on having finished the pilgrimage.

Plentzia and Trapagaran

In Plentzia the mistress of their Church commemorates their festivity on July 22, the High Mass being celebrated in honor to Holy Mary Magadalene. The festive program of this celebration the habitual acts compose: festivals, txistularis, pigheaded, bulls of fire, fanfares and performance of bands of music. As events more distinguished from this festivity it is necessary to indicate the concert of the Band of Music in the kiosk of the Shipyard, the tilt of spade ” TheMagdalene”, the ditch of piragüismo, Ascent and Decrease at Plentzia’s river ends and the Championship of Uribe-kosta and Mungialde de Sukalki organized by the S.D. Plentzia.

In Trapagaran, the majority of the celebrations extend for several days, with variety of festive acts: Passacaglias, concerts, fanfares, infantile activities, sports races, rural sport, folklore, pilgrimages, festivals, fireworks, … fits to outline for their tradition in the neighborhood of The Arboleda the raise and pilgrimage of to the caves of Holy Mary Magdalene, celebrated on the occasion of this festivity. In the program we can emphasize the 21st the txupinazo and the degustation of products of the zone in collaboration with the Club of Football The Arboleda at 20:30h, the following day at 10:30h the raise to the cave and at 12:30h the mass in the cave entertained by fanfare.

Celebrations in Alava

Retes of Tudela and Llanteno

Those are the program of acts during this festivities

Retes of Tudela

july 18

16,45 h: Alboradas.

20,30 h: Championship of throwing berets.

21,30 h: Sardins and morcilla degutation.

july 19

14,00 h: Popular lunch.

july 22

12,00 h: High Mass.

Retes of Llanteno

july 22

12.30 Homelet competition
13.00 High Mass
13.30 Chorizo degustation

Magdalene’s days in Guipuzcoa

The festivity of Holy Mary Magdalene in Errenteria begin when the Company of Dance Kukai and the missionary Julia Iparraguirre launch the txupinazo that gives the shot of exit to the most important festivity of the year of this Guipuzcoa’s locality that will be lived by intensity until Saturday, the 25th. They are urban character celebrations organized for all kinds of tastes. Religious celebrations, sports competitions, activities of the traditional world, games and shows for children, festivals, concerts of all kinds, fairground enclosure, txarangas and street animation, etc. There come peoples of the neighboring villages, region and province.

Besides the txupinazo, the first day centres its interest on the solemn one Save at 20.00 hours in the hermitage, but especially in the great night tamborrada that organizes the AAVV Arditurri of Alaberga. The tamborrada will bring together almost 200 participants and will be directed by the first time by two persons, Mitxel Blanco Txuri and Jose Maria Lasa.  The “cantineras” are Nerea Eskisabel (Peñas de Aia), Laura Maritxalar (Centro), Irenka Mendive (Galtzaraborda), Jurdana Mendive (Galtzaraborda), Josune Portillo (Fandería), Olatz Oiarbide (Fanderia), Maialen Muguruza (Agustinas), Leire de la Fuente (Iztieta), Genma Silva (Galtzaraborda), Cristina Garcia (Beraun), Carolina Castrillejo (Beraun), Nerea Diaz (Centro),Vanesa Piñeiro (Agustinas). Most of the cantineras will be  members of the choir Oinarri, winner of ETB’s TV contest Oh Happy Day.

On the occasion of the celebration during this year of 50 anniversary of the foundation of the society of Alaberga, the tamborrada of this neighborhood is going to honour in a simple act, to all the persons that take part on this disinterestedly, they founded, helped and help to that this tamborrada continues working. The honoring will be in front of the places of the above mentioned society, at 23.00 hours, just before beginning the tamborrada.

Among the extensive program we can emphasize the following acts:

July 21, Tuesday. EVE OF HOLY MARY MAGDALENE:

At 17.30 hours: RAISE OF THE SQUADS with animation. In the square Agirre Lehendakaria.

At 19:00: TXUPINAZO announcer of the beginning of the festivity launched by the honoured ones: the group “Kukai”, given their successful artistic and diffusive path of Errenteria’s name in their intense activity related to the dance and choreography and Dña. Julia Iparraguirre Perurena, in recognition of her great social labor developed in the most diverse fields in our Villa. With the joyful pealed of the bells of the Parish Our Lady of the Asuncion  and the interpretation of the traditional paso doble  the centenary for the Band of the Association of Errenteria’s Musical Culture, they will start the festivity of the Villa.

Later: From the Hermitage the Band of the Association of Errenteria’s Musical Culture, the Municipal Band of Txistularis and the group of GIANTS AND PIGHEADED on the streets of the Villa.

At 20:00: SOLEMN SAVE, with assistance of the local authorities. In the Basilica of Saint Maria Magdalene.

At 20:00: PROCLAMATION OF THE FESTIVITY in the Society Txintxarri.

At 23:15: GREAT NIGHT TAMBORRADA. With exit from Alaberga’s neighborhood, organized by the AA.VV. Alaberga’s Arditurri, accompanied by the Fanfarre Deiadar, with the interpretation of The Centenary at 12:00 p.m. opposite to the Town hall .

From 00:00 to 04:30 hours: ANIMATION at the expense of Tireless txaranga.

To them 00:30 hours: BULL OF FIRE, accompanied by the tamborrada. In the Avenue of Gamon.

July 22, Wednesday. FESTIVITY of THE HOLY SAINT MARY MAGDALENE:

At 07:30 hours: SOKAMUTURRA in the square of the Town hall.
At 08:30 hours: EMBOLADOS. In the Bullring installed in Gaztaño’s neighborhood, entertained by the txaranga Lagunak.

At 10:30: The Municipal Corporation and the Parochial Chapter accompanied by the Municipal Band of Txistularis, the Band of Music of the Association of Musical Culture of Errenteria and Ereintza Dantza Taldea, will direct for themselves the Basilica of Saint Mary Magdalene, of which it will depart the traditional PROCESSION, which will lead the Image of the Holy one to the Parochial Church.

At 11:00: SOLEMN HIGH MASS in the Parochial Church. Once ended the High Mass, and in PROCESSION, the image of the Holy one will be restored to the Church.

At 11:00: RURAL BASQUE SPORT .Harrijasotzailes. The IIIrd. Competition of aizkolaris ” Errenteria’s Villa “. In the Avenue of Gamon.

At 17:30: Ends of the BRIEF XV JOSE ANTONIO ZULOAGA of BASQUE PELOTA  in pairs in different categories. In Fandería’s municipal fronton.

At 19:00: Recortadores of Euskal Herria SHOW in the Bullring. Sale of tickets: Bar Irrintzi, Bar Gambrinus and the same day in the bullring.

Later: DESCENT from the BULLRING entertained by the Confraternity of Amulleta’s Drums and the brass band Tximeletak.

At 23:00: Burning of the collection of ARTIFICIAL FIREWORKS at the expense of the Pyrotechnics Valecea-Pir. The launch will be realized from Arramendi’s hillside, being an advisable place them the surroundings of the Rioja’s Glorieta.

At 23:30: NIGHT TAMBORRADA. The tour will be realized for: Bittor Idiazabal, Corsair Ikutza, Biteri, Town hall, Avenue, Biteri, Martin Etxeberria.
Later: BULL OF FIRE in the Avenue.

July 23, Thursday. DAY OF THE PENSIONER AND OF THE SQUADS:

At 07:30 hours: SOKAMUTURRA in the square of the Town hall.

At 08:30 hours: EMBOLADOS. In the Bullring installed in Gaztaño’s neighborhood, entertained by the txaranga Txantxangorri.

At 11:00: SOLEMN HIGH MASS for pensioners at Saint Mary Magdalene Church.

At 11:00: the XXXIst GREAT PRIZE HOLY MARY MAGDALENE OF DRAGGING STONE. It will take place in Pontika’s neighborhood (former Gecotor).

At 17:00: PELOTA’s GAMES at Fandería’s municipal fronton, organized by EPLE.

1. Olazabal - Urberuaga / Aritz Lasa - Beroiz.
2. Martinez de Irujo - Goñi III / Titín III - Pascual.

At 18:00: Continuation of the XXXIst GREAT PRIZE HOLY MARY MAGDALENE OF DRAGGING STONE. It will take place in Pontika’s neighborhood (former Gecotor).

At 19:00: EMBOLADOS.
Later: DESCENT from the BULLRING entertained by the Confraternity of Amulleta’s Drums and the brass band Tximeletak.

From 20:00 to 21:00 hours: PERFORMANCE of the choir Maialen of the Association Beti Bizkor. In the Basilica of Saint MaryMagdalene.

At 21:00: I INTERSOCIETIES COMPETITION of COD ON PIL PIL. In the society Euskaldarrak.

July 24, Friday. EVE OF SANTIAGO. WOMEN’S DAY :

At 07:30 hours: SOKAMUTURRA in the square of the Town hall.

At 08:30 hours: EMBOLADOS. In the Bullring installed in Gaztaño’s neighborhood, entertained by the txaranga Lagunak.

At 12:00: BOAT RACE in Pasaia’s bay. Organized by the Hibaika’s club of oar.

At 18:00: XVIth JOAKIN ETXEBERRIA MEMORIAL with bat’s matches in diverse categories. In Fandería’s municipal fronton.

From 18:30 to 20:00 hours: the XLIVth CHAMPIONSHIP OF BASQUE DANCES  for young people. In the square Xabier Olaskoaga.

At 19:00: EMBOLADOS.

Later: DESCENT OF THE BULLRING entertained by the Confraternity of Amulleta’s Drums and the brass band Tximeletak.
At 00:00 hours: BULL OF FIRE. In the Avenue of Gamon.
From 01:00 to 02:00 hours: BASQUE DANCES: fandango, arin-arin, txulalai, zazpi-jauzi, Lantzeko inauteria, polkak, muttikoak and to finish Larrain Dantza, in Herriko Plaza.

July 25, Saturday. FESTIVITY OF SANTIAGO:

TO TAKE INTO ACOUNT: The 25th, festivity of Santiago, there will no be EMBOLADOS at 8:30 a.m..

At 05:30 hours: At NIGHT HOT CHOCOLATE for everybody.

At 07:30 hours: SOKAMUTURRA in the square of the Town hall.

From 09:00 to 13:00 hours: CONTEST OF DOGS. In the camps of the farmhouse called Politena, organized by the Society San Huberto of hunt and fishing.

AAt 12:00: BOAT RACE in Pasaia’s bay. Organized by the Hibaika’s club of oar.

From 12.00 to 14.00 hours: BERTSOS of Jon Maia y Unai Iturriaga ’s hand in the Fueros square. TRIKITIXA by Maider and Ixiar.

From 17:00 to 20:00 hours: VI FISHING CONTEST ON OIARTZUN’S RIVER. At Iztieta’s walk.

At 19:00: EXHIBITION OF ACROBATIC JUMPS AND EQUESTRIAN TAMING. Tickets: Bar Irrintzi, Bar Gambrinus and the same day in the bullring.

Later: DESCENT OF THE BULLRING entertained by the Confraternity of Amulleta’s Drums and the brass band Tximeletak.

At 19:00: VIIth GREAT DEGUSTATION of roast calves. In the Avenue of Gamon. Organized by Euskaldarrak elkartea.

From 19:00 to 21:00 hours: LXth GIPUZKOA’s BASQUE DANCE CHAMPIONSHIP. In the square Xabier Olaskoaga.

From 00:00 to 01:00 hours: BULL OF FIRE. In the Avenue of Gamon.Immediately afterwards the Band of the Association of Errenteria’s Musical Culture will play the traditional CENTENARY, giving end to the festivity.