The celebration of feasts in honor of this virgin goes back to very distant times, before she is declared a patron saint of the city. Until 1883 there were carried out a few acts that, under the denomination of ” Festival of Vitoria “, were developing during the first week of September. From 1884 they happened to be celebrated in August, after a municipal agreement in which was decided that the fiestas they it were, already of official form, in honor of the White Virgin, known also as Our Lady of the Snow, and which festivity would turn out to be concentrated on the liturgical calendar On August 5. It will be in 1953 when the municipal Corporation establishes the festive calendar as it is known nowadays. The citizenship turns out to be very important in this celebration, the locals enjoy and take part actively in the celebration, and are good hosts and guides for those that want to know their city in these days.

THE BLUSA’S DAY

July 25. Preamble of the celebration

The day of Santiago, in Vitoria garlics are sold, in “strings” or bunches with, typically, 50 heads. In the above mentioned day there are sold practically all the garlics that are consumed in the city (200.000 inhabitants) all the year round. The “blusas”" are an essential figure of the festivity: groups of friends who were meeting to go together to the bullfights.

To avoid to get dirty, they began to use typical blouses that the workers were using.  Later the clothes became more basque to do it to similarity of the farmers and Basque shepherds: Basque beret (practically in disuse), white shirt, “blouse”, scarf red or blue around the neck (that was in use for avoiding this way for sweating the neck of the shirt), fastened trousers with a strip, and “sandals” - a few shoes of thick leather, which stick with strings to the leg-. The blusas celebrate in the above mentioned day a ” race of donkeys “.

CELEDON’s DESCENT

August 4. Begining of the big festivity

After the proclamation that is given on August 2, August 4 at 6 p.m. it gives the official beginning to the celebration in the square of the White Virgin, placed in the heart of the city, thousands of locals and visitors meet (in a way similar to the powerful “txupinazo” in Pamplona, though much more multitudinous) to give beginning to the celebration with Celedon’s descent, a doll that represents a former villager native of Alava and that crosses the square across a system of pulleys. After going down ” celedon’s doll ” from the belfry of the tower of San Miguel up to a balcony in the square of the White Virgin, this one is replaced by one ” celedon in meat and bone ” (for many years the popular Iñaki Landa) the one who crosses as he can the crammed square), odyssey escorted by municipal policemen, up to the balcony of the Church of San Miguel and directs the locals, who sing continuously the song: ” Celedon, has done a new house, Celedon, with window and balcony “.

Until a few years ago it was normal that the whole world was igniting a big cigar , even the women. It was fascinating to see overfly over the people a cloud of bluish smoke proceeding from 30000 cigars or more that were ignited at the same time… Now the customs have changed and, for a few years, which is done is to uncork bottles of Champaign and to spray to everything that one who is nearby… Those who do not want to be dipped by the champaign choose to place in the back part of the square and in the square of the General Loma and adjacent streets.

Later and on having come to the balconada of the Church of San Miguel the traditional aurresku is danced and already after speaking they can be heard traditional and awaited: Gora Gasteiz!, Gora Celedón! … answering the people with a Gora! Also cigars are ignited and there are uncorked thousands of bottles of champaign. The young men ask for water in the adjacent streets to the square and lately they bath in central fountains. This way the celebration begin. The squads of blouses are protagonists of these festivity, groups of locals (both men and women) that dressed with the typical suits organize and lead numerous activities and fill of good humor these days.

The festive program of 2009 will not have the presence of the matches of professional “pelota” , due to the problems in Mendizorroza’s fronton. Nevertheless, a tournament will be realized for fans of the Basque ball in the Fueros Square. With everything, these will be one very complete fiestas, which will guarantee entertainment to all the presents.

EVE AND THE WHITE ONE’S DAY

August 4 and 5. Honoring to the Virgin of the Snow

First it is necessary to emphasize that all the religious acts in which the public take part massively and which develop in the festivities of the White one are organized by the Confraternity of Our Lady of the White Virgin. The acceptance for the locals of the devotion to the White Virgin motivated the creation of this Confraternity and the introduction of the diverse worships and celebrations. This devotion they took their Virgin to the organization of the Rosaries in procession.

The procession of the Rosario of Lanterns as we know it today, it has his origin in the final years of the 19th century. It is a solemn spectacle of light and crystal that crosses the central streets of Vitoria from ten o’clock in the night of August 4. The first news of the procession is from the year 1855, when they were carrying Chinese lanterns of carton and wax. The initiative of its construction owes to itself D. Manuel Diaz de Arcaya who in 1895 proposed a ” Rosary of Lanterns ” to give major brilliance to the modest procession that was celebrated on eve in honor of the White Virgin.

The first year in which there went out the lanterns of glass and metal was a 1896. That August, 1896 they walked along Vitoria, in quiet religious march, sixty lanterns transported by soldiers of Infantry and 6 coaches that represent the Joyful Mysteries and the first one of the Painful ones. The procession went out for the complete one in 1897, now 110 years ago. It consisted of 248 lanterns and 19 coaches to that later 1 coach was added and more recently 2 new lanterns, with which there are completed 270 elements that can be admired nowadays. Recently, before the deterioration of good part of the individual lanterns and the representative coaches of each one of 15 mysteries of the Rosario, there has finished the costly task of the restoration.

The Rosary of the Dawn that, at least from the 17th century, continues its original tour for the streets of the old hull of the population at about 7 a.m. of every August 5, a rosary that crosses the streets of Vitoria and that ends in a Mass outdoors. The faithful walk slow along the medieval streets while the monotonous singing of the Rosario resounds, to the unison. The procession is presided by a small image of the Virgin carried by proud blouses. In spite of the untimely of the hour it is a multitudinous act, at which many families and night owls are present.

Later they begin the day having the traditional hot chocolate with fritters for breakfast. Later, at 9:00, there are reveilles in the square of The White Virgin, where the BLusas re-join with their respective squads. Throughout the day the people or groups of people do floral offerings to the White Virgin, placed close to the image of the Virgin at San Miguél’s church. The 5th probably is the day with more environment, especially in the morning, since the people do not work, and there are many activities programmed both diurnal and night.

The Rosary of the Dawn in a beginning, was organized by the Town hall, later by the Parish of San Miguel and at present by the Confraternity of Our Lady the White Virgin. With the passage of time the organizers have observed how the number of assistants was increased, in an almost amazing way. At the beginning of the 50s, only several hundreds of persons realized the tour. The parson Jose M ª Fernandez de Retana was in the habit of counting with his rosary the participants. One year exploded of pleasure when he completed four rounds: 240 assistants. Nowadays, more than 25.000 citizens accompany the Virgin in her early riser to peregrinate. It doesn’t mather nobody the weariness after the first night of celebration, nobody repairer complains of the hours stolen from the dream.

THE WHITE ONE AND THE MUSIC

Music and concerts for all the tastes

Different spectacles, concerts and verbenas are organized for all the tastes in several stages spread by the city. Orchestas and txarangas circulate twenty-four hours of the day, specially in the zone of the Old Hull, neuralgic center of the amusement.

This is the list of musical activities:

FUEROS’ SQUARE, 24.00h
August 4 La Oreja de Van Gogh
August 5 Gu Gira kantaldia
August 6 Emepetres y La Excepción
August 7 Tequila
August 8 Celtas Cortos

MACHETE’S SQUARE, 24.00h
August 4 Rafa Rueda
August 5 Kerobia
August 6 Zura
August 7 Bertso Jazz
August 8 Gatibu

ESPAÑA’S SQUARE, 24.30h
August 4 Tropical Show
August 5 La Habana
August 6 La Mundial Show
August 7 Abba Revival
August 8 Volcan
August 9 23.00h Costa de Valencia

SQUARE OF THE PROVINCIA, 23.00h
August 4 Espectáculo de danza oriental con el grupo Yala Bina Muniqueneith y el espectáculo ‘Alma Femina’
August 5 Espectáculo de folklore bieloruso con el grupoTakalaka
August 6 Espectáculo de música y danza con el Ballet Identidad de Perú
August 7 Revista de variedades con Luis Aguilé
August 8 Boleros, habaneras y música latina con el grupo Arciel
August 9 Concierto de gospel con el grupo Gospel Soul

TXOSNAS University area
August 4 24.00h Cobra02.00h Kaotiko
August 5 24.00h The Kluba 02.00h Dr Ring Ding 03.00h Revolutionary Brothers
August  6 24.00h Willis Drumond 02.00h Sexty Sexers 03.00h Sharon Stoner
August 7 24.00h Indarrap 02.00h Ekon 03.00h Dejota DJ + Fiesta de la espuma
August 8 01.00h Insershow
August 9 01.00h Gatillazo 03.00h Vómito

MUSIC BANDS
Jardín Secreto del Agua. Parque de la Florida 12.00h
August 5 Banda de música de la Ertzaintza
August 6 Banda de música de la Ertzaintza
August 7 Banda de música de Marrate de Labastida
August 8 Banda de música de Elciego
August 9 Banda de música de Araia

THE WHITE VIRGIN’S BULL FAIR

Bullring of Vitoria

In the bullfighting Cartel of the festivity we can emphasize the doublets of El Juli and Perera, which will fight together in the evening, and the presences of the rejoneador Paul Hermoso of Mendoza and matadors as Enrique Ponce, Morante de la Puebla, El Cid, Sebastián Castella, José María Manzanares, Alejandro Talavante and Daniel Luque  - these two last ones appear in Vitoria for the first time-, among some other one. Regarding the  livestock farmers, the presences are also of the first level with Victoriano del Río, Fuente Ymbro, El Pilar and Puerto de San Lorenzo.

The bullfighting Cartel:

• 25 July:  Blusa’s day. Bulls from Antonio Bañuelos to El Cordobés, Rivera Ordóñez and El Fandi.
• 5 August: Bulls from Fuente Ymbro to El Juli, El Cid and Miguel Ángel Perera.
• 6 August: Bulls from El Pilar toJuan Bautista, Alejandro Talavante and Daniel Luque.
• 7 August: Bulls from Murube to Fermín Bohórquez, Hermoso de Mendoza and Álvaro Montes.
• 8 August: Bulls from Puerto de San Lorenzo to Enrique Ponce, Sebastián Castella and Miguel Ángel Perera.
• 9 August: Bulls from Victoriano del Río to Morante de la Puebla, El Juli and José María Manzanares.

OTHER FESTIVE ACTS

Multitude of festive acts, street markets and huts, attractions of fair, bullfights in the evenings, fireworks and fire bulls and in the morning heifers, all those acts fill with happiness the program. Also cultural activities of the Basque Country are promoted, with sports as  championships of Basque ball, and concerts of trikitixa and championships of bertsolaris. Every morning the brass bands cross the streets of Vitoria to wake the sleepiest up, with better will that effect, since to the good sleepy-head there is no brass band that can wake them up … and to the good reveller who has not slept either.

On the 7th there is celebrated the Celedón Txiki, a recreation of Celedón’s descent, by the children as protagonists, the fiestas has activities thought for them during all. For their part, on August 8 it is dedicated to the veteran blusa, and the streets are invaded of nostalgic of the third age dressed with blusones of squads of the 60s. And finally August 9 is a traditionally so called day of the pig, in that the squads in the passacaglias, were parading daubed of flour, though nowadays this this tradition declining as the squads they go being regenerated of new sap. And this night of August 9 the locals go regretfully to say goodbye to Celedón, who at twelve o’clock in the night will rise again to the belfry. During this distance they all untie the scarf and dismiss to the symbol of the festivity.

These are the most out-standing acts:

The VIIth INTERNATIONAL CONTEST OF PYROTECHNIC SPECTACLES

Every day at 23.00h from Mendizabala

Last day 9th Augus at 1.00h on the Withe Virgin square Final firecrackers

JOTAS (Regional spanish songs)

Everyday at  Conde de Peñaflorida’ square 18.00h

BERTSOLARIAK (Basque songs)

Everyday at Machete’s square 13.30h

FOLKLORE

Everyday at Machete’s square 13.30h

TRIKITIXA (Basque music)

Everyday at Machete’s square 12.30h

The Festival relies on two stages outdoors. Placed in the Wine-cellar, destined to the productions of bigest format, it can hold up to approximately 500 spectators and the recluse San Pedro’s Claustro, destined to works of small format or that for their characteristics need the nearby presence of the spectator.

Olite’s Classical Theatre Festival is a program managed directly by the Department of Culture and Tourism - institution Prince of Viana of the Navarre’s Government with the sponsorship of Olite’s Town hall and Highways of Navarre. Also the State Society of Cultural Commemorations, Olite’s Royal palace and the Regulatory Council of the Denomination of Origin Came from Navarre collaborate.

This edition tries to give a qualitative jump opening new lines of programming, reflection and production, and some milestones that expand the definition of the concept of “festival”. This year the festival puts the accent in the producers. We are going to enjoy big approaches of stage management, but in addition we are going to listen to the directors speaking on their works, analyzing the prominent figures with those who make the spectacles, and thinking about the scenic language.

Heineken Jazzaldia will receive in addition in the Kursaal Brad Mehldau’s acoustic concert; Carla Bley with her Big Band, to Joe Lovato, to the trumpet player Dave Douglas and the concert of Animal Collective. Also there will be raised the Brazilian excellent musician, Joao Golberto, and the historical James Taylor. In the free concerts of the beach of the Zurriola the public will be able to enjoy Vetusta Morla, Russian Red, Eva Cortés and the kings of the new soul, Black Joe Lewis and The Honeydreamers.

HEINEKEN JAZZALDIA 2009

22 july:

Kursaal (Kutxa space) | | 24€, 20€
21:00 • Brad Mehldau

Victoria Eugenia (Skoda space) | | 20€
24:00 • Micah P. Hinson

Victoria Eugenia (Skoda space) | | 20€
18:30 • Dave Douglas & Brass Ecstasy

Altxerri | | 10€ one drink included
24:00 • Gabacho Connection

Be Bop | |10€ one drink included
00:00 • Ortophonk
02:00 • DJ Floro

23 july:

Kursaal (Kutxa space) | | 48€, 40€. Out of subscription
24:00 • Animal Collective

Trinidad square| | 30€
21:00 • Esperanza Spalding
• Randy Weston’s African Rhythm Quintet & The Master Gnawa Musicians of Morocco

Victoria Eugenia (Skoda space) | | 30€, 25€
18:30 • Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club®

Green stage | | Free access
00:30 • Vetusta Morla
21:30 • Russian Red

Frigo space| | Free access
18:30 • Flor Begue + Cristina Montull Trio
20:00 • Chronology Quartet
23:00 • Gregario de Luxe

Heineken space| | Free access
18:30 • In The Country
20:00 • Jake Shimabukuro
23:00 • Klezmafour

Altxerri | | 10€ one drink included
24:00 • Lubliner Klezmorim

Be Bop | | 10€ one drink included
02:00 • DJ Señor Lobo, DJ Makala, DJ Pablo Sánchez
24:00 • Speak Low

24 july:

Kursaal (Kutxa space) | | 30€, 25€
18:30 • Hank Jones Trio

Trinidad square| | 30€
21:00 • Joe Lovano Us Five
• Roy Haynes Trio

Victoria Eugenia (Skoda space) | | 20€.
24:00 • The Carla Bley Big Band: “Appearing Nightly”

Victoria Eugenia (Skoda space) | | 12€.
02:30 • Nils Petter Molvaer

Green stage| | Free access
00:30 • Facto Delafé y Las Flores Azules + Invitados
21:30 • Mari Boine

Frigo space| | Free access
18:30 • Eva Cortés
20:00 • Conexion 4tet
23:00 • Calame

Heineken space| | Free access
18:30 • Els Cremats
20:00 • Andreu Martínez Project
23:00 • Thee, Stranded Horse + Ballaké Sissoko

Altxerri | | 10€ one drink included
24:00 • Jake Shimabukuro

Be Bop | | 10€ one drink included
02:00 • Mac Mohaldo
24:00 • The Blue Shot

Fronton Euskal Jai (Irún) | | Free access
22:00 • New Jazz Voices

25 july:

Kursaal (Kutxa space) | | 30€, 25€
18:30 • Hank Jones & Joe Lovano

Trinidad square | | 35€
21:00 • Perico Sambeat Flamenco Big Band
• Pitingo con Soulería

Victoria Eugenia (Skoda space) | | 30€, 25€
24:00 • Abdullah Ibrahim & Ekaya

Green stage| |Free access
00:30 • Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears
21:30 • The War On Drugs

Frigo space| | Free access
02:00 • Bikini Machine
18:30 • Ácido C
20:00 • New Mood Trio
23:00 • Calc

Heineken space| | Free access
18:30 • Albert Fibla
20:00 • Miyagui
23:00 • Open Mike

Altxerri | | 10€ one drink included
24:00 • Stay Blues

Be Bop | | 10€ one drink included
02:00 • DJ Casbah
24:00 • Watch TV & The Primetimes

Unión Artesana Elkartea | | Jazz dinner
21:00 • Mikel Bikandi Quartet

26 july:

Kursaal (Kutxa space) | | 60€, 48€
18:30 • James Taylor and Band

Trinidad square| | 40€
21:00 • Mélissa Laveaux
• Jamie Cullum

Victoria Eugenia (Skoda space) | | 15€
24:00 • The Bad Plus joined by Wendy Lewis

Frigo space| | Free access
18:30 • The Billie Jeans
21:00 • Broken Brothers Brass Band
24:00 • Ensemble Denada

Heineken space | | Free access
19:00 • Organik’s
22:30 • Altx6

Kutxaespacio | | Free access
18:30 • José Luis Gutiérrez: A century of music (didactic Concert)

Chillida-Leku | | Price: the entry to the Museum.
Information telephone contact number: 943 336 006
13:00 • Arild Andersen Trio

Altxerri | | 10€ one drink included
24:00 • Jazz Session

Be Bop | | 10€ one drink included
02:00 • Diesler
24:00 • Mamba Beat

Working On A Dream is Springsteen’s fundamental disc, recoded with E Street Band and that contains 13 unpublished songs in the CD and a DVD that there includes images taken in the recording studio of seven of these topics and a qualified extra A Night With The Jersey Devil. Working on to Dream is a varied, happy and vital album according to Springsteen and recorded to the old “Born To Run” style: many first captures, base of guitar, bass, battery and keyboards with E Street Band to add later the voice or some details. Songs like Working on to Dream, My Lucky Day or The Wrestler are born with vocation of turning in classic of the digest of Springsteen. The latter, The Wrestler, has just received the Golden Globe to the Best Original Soundtrack Song.

Inaugurated in 1916, today it continues having a health of iron and a promising future thanks to the evolution and adjustment to the market that that has been realized. The season of the Racetrack of San Sebastian consists also of other 11 days of races, distributed in July, August and September. In addition, its facilities have been chosen among the best European racetracks for the dispute of the prestigious French prize Le Defí Du Gallop.

94 summer season of the Racetrack of San Sebastian will rely on 12 different tournaments among which we can find the 41st  edition of the Copa de Oro, which will be supported by the Cultural Candidacy Donostia 2016 and the Great Prize San Sebastian, the 12th on Sunday and will extend until September 5th.

As innovation of this edition,on thursday, the 20th and 27th the entry to the Racetrack will be free in order that the whole world could enjoy of one evening in the horses, as alternative plan in summer. In addition, the rest of the days will be kept the prices of last year, of 6 Euros in July and September and of 9 Euros in August, with a discount of 50 per cent for young people and pensioners, and admission free to 14-year-old minors.

Donosti Cup is a championship of international football that is celebrated in summer in the Basque locality of Donostia-San Sebastian aimed to children of all the ages and nationalities. Placed at the top of the nacional summer tournaments, in 2008 it celebrated its 17 ª edition with the participation of 241 masculine and feminine teams and 4.500 football players. The Donosti Cup constitutes a space of meeting for multiple and different cultures, favoring the learning, the mutual knowledge and the exchange of experiences among children and girls of numerous countrie

The Donosti Cup 2009 will rely on 258 teams of 16 countries, this year will be a very special edition since beside fulfilling the adult age, the tournament receives the Golden drum 2009 prize and  for the third year in a row with UNICEF’s National Prize, that there will be granted to the team that demonstrates major identification with the positive values of the sport and of the football. This summer is the best second year in number of teams participants. The competition will rely on a whole of 258 teams of half a world, represented by 16 countries: Germany, Belgium, Spain, The United States, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Nigeria, Norway, Peru, Portugal, United Kingdom, Sweden and Venezuela. Also the presence of Morocco stands out, after four years of absence and the participation of the Olympiacos.

This is the program of the Donosti Cup 2009:

• Sunday, 5th July.
  Arrival and withdrawal of documentation.
  Dinner and housing.
• Monday, 6th July.
  Games 1st Phase.
  Ceremony of Inauguration.
• Tuesday,7th July.
  Games 1st Phase.
• Wednesday, 8th July.
  Games 1st Phase.
• Thursday, 9th July.
  Eliminating final phase.
  Trainers’ game.
  Donosti Cup Disco (Palace of the ice “Txuri Urdin”)
• Friday, 10th July.
  Absolute finals B10, B12 and G12 (Anoeta’s Ministadium).
  Absolute finals B13, B14, G14 and G16 (Anoeta’s Stadium).
  Ends of Consolation games. Participants’ party (Terrace of the Kursaal).
  Dinner of Closing.
  Delegates’ party
• Saturday, 11th July.
  Absolute finals B15, B16, B19 and G (Anoeta’s Stadium).
  Farewell.

A prominent celebrity inside the musical British industry from ends of the 60s. Apart from his discs as interpreter, with his producer’s facet for the Stiff Records, Nick Lowe exercised notable influence in the new wave and the punk of ends of the seventies decade. He comes accompanied from Ry Cooder, genius of the slide guitar, who consists of touching the guitar with pipe to extract this so peculiar sonority of the American roots music. Nick Lowe y Ry’s concert Cooder in the Palacio Euskalduna of Bilbao.

Between July 4th and 12th eight very intense days will be dedicated to the juggling and other disciplines of the circus, in which it will not have fitted for the tedium. Since it could not be otherwise, they have programmed for the occasion a wide range of activities: workshops, concerts, infantile activities, improvisations, tilts of hockey in monocycle, championships of volley mace and an endless number of surprises.

Vitoria will turn this way into the European capital of the juggling, for delight of small and adults. Several have been the reasons that have motivated the election of the city as venue of the festival: his unsurpassable geographical location (easy access) and his wide offer of facilities and equipments.

Artists like  Loco Brusca, Antonio Álvarez or the schools of circus Carampa and Rogelio Rivel are only some of the names that will show their skills in this event that promises to be so spectacular as multitudinous. The band of music Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, which fuses the jazz and the ska, will act on the 11th.

An enclosure of more than 86.000 square meters, located in Mendizabala, will be the core of the meeting. There three zones will be enabled of encamped, a great surface that will receive the diverse tents and a zone outdoors where to enjoy the most surprising numbers (malabares of fire, air spectacles …). Other stages chosen to shelter the foreseen activities are the Palace Europe, Mendizorroza’s pavilion, the Campus of Alava and the squares Nueva and Fueros.

The Aurresku, the bonfire and Gatibu’s concert will be the main acts of the first day of the celebration. The natives of Irun will return to begin to the streets to live the beginning of the parties of San Pedro and San Marcial, which will start officially on June 23, 2009 at 20.00 hours, with the proclamation that there will read in the Town hall the journalist Lourdes Maldonado. A bit before this, at 19.00 hours, the traditional Tree of San Juan will be placed and at 19.30 hours, the giants will divide and pigheaded of Irungo Atsegiña and Bidasoako Txaranga, to encourage the streets before the official greeting at the expense of Maldonado, with which there will begin of more solemn form the celebration of San Pedro and San Marcial. From this moment they begin an endless number of activities that do not stop until July 1.

A bit of history

The parade of weapon that celebrates in Irun  called “Alarde” every June 30, day of San Marcial, the patron saint of the city, is the commemoration of the victory of the native troops on the Frenches during the dawn of June 30, 1522. The battle, which took place in Aldabe Irun’s Rock, formed a part of a series of French offensives which aim was to control the frontier zone of the Bidasoa.

France was trying to recover the Kingdom of Navarre conquered by Fernando I and annexed to the Wreath of Castilla. The French king, Francisco I, was not ready to resign the control that till then was supporting in Navarre, with this aim, the French troops, after a series of unsuccessful incursions they decided to surround the former kingdom, taking the fortress of the loyal troops to Castilla. The incursions began in October, 1521, but it was not until June 28, 1522 when an army of 4.500 mercenaries (labortanos and Germans) crossed the river Bidasoa and took positions in the mount that till then was known as Aldabe’s Rock, getting this name for an existing hamlet in the place. The following day, on June 29, day of San Pedro and San Paul, the German quota got hold of Gazteluzar’s fortress. Opposite to this aggression, the captains iruneses, Juan Perez de Azcue and Michael de Ambulodi, supervised by the troops, summoned all the eligible males for the war, only 400 men.

On the other hand, the role of the women and the children iruneses was fundamental. The clergyman of Renteria, Mosén Pedro of Hirizar, neighbor of the mentioned villa and that had the office of ” holder of bastimientos “, bought and distributed more than four hundred ” axes of wood ” among the women and the young boys of the city with the aim that they were walking, silently and with the axes burning, during a league, from the top of the Royal Way at the time, which was dividing the ways of Oiartzun and Renteria, up to Irun’s square, making believe to the enemy that the soldiers were assembled in Irun’s zone and not advancing was doing to Aldabe’s Rock.

While women and children were walking along the Royal Way, the troops, with the help of the General Captain of Gipuzkoa, Beltrán de la Cueva, who came to the battle with part of his infantry, 1.500 men, and 150 horses, were advancing slowly and secretly for the opposite side, surprising first to the forces labortanas that they were sleeping in the mount and then to the Germans in Gazteluzar. The German surviving soldiers ran to the meeting of the labortanos, ignoring the happened in Aldabe’s Rock, and were in turn depressed.

The ostentations of weapon have a medieval origin, was forming in this epoch escorts armed as special ornament in public ceremonies of civic - religious sign. The function of these armed, existing militias in the whole Europe, was it of honoring dates as the popular holidays, celebrated the days of San Juan Baptizer and San Pedro or that of the Corpus-Christi, among others. When after the wars Carlists eliminate the ordinances that were forcing to the ostentations of weapon, these they went on to the popular culture supporting the presence of troops of military character in celebrations and pilgrimages.

In the Basque Country, from the Middle Ages, in agreement with the jurisdictions that were governing the territory, every village had the faculty and the obligation to be organized militarily, forming a part of its statutory militias all the males in ages included between the 18 and 60 years. To come in defense of the territory they must be prepared militarily and have his armament ready for when his contest was needed; to such a purpose, from time to time and in notable dates, the males had to come with their weapons to the summons to train in its managing and to take part in the ostentation or parade that was celebrated. After the accomplishment of the ostentation of weapon there was sent certificate of the accomplishment of the same one to the Deputation, maxim responsible for the of Guipuzcoa weapon. Attending to this it makes clear that its origin in the ostentation of weapon of the day of San Pedro, civic, obligatory act, which was celebrated in the whole province. Therefore inside San Marcial’s Ostentation we find two differentiated acts: the magazine of weapon, of civic and obligatory character, and San Marcial’s procession with armed countrymen, a purely religious act of devotion, which already was realized in 1523, being Lope de Irigoyen, mayor of Irun, who took part in the battle of Aldabe’s Rock, the one who headed the first ostentation.

Therefore, though historically they could find references to the accomplishment of an ostentation of weapon in Irun before 1880 together with the fulfillment of the vote to San Marcial for the victory of 1522, everything seems to indicate that the stage posterior to the Second War Carlist (1872-1876) is the moment in which the first steps are begun to give for the evolution of these acts towards San Marcial’s Ostentation that today we know. For centuries the ostentation of weapon was celebrated the day of San Pedro, June 29, and to the díasiguiente San Marcial’s procession, being a 1804 the year of the unification of the ostentation and the vote emitted by the chapters ecclesiastically and secular, beginning a process of change in the festivity on having joined procession and ostentation in the same day.

Acts distinguished from the San Marciales 2009

On June 25, Thursday:

* At 22:00: In the fronton of the Street Santiago, Trikitixa’s Concert and Percussion at the expense of Txorimaloak Soinu Taldea. In case of badly time the activity will move to the AMAIA K.Z.
On June 26, Friday:

* At 18:30: In the fronton Uranzu, 57th Championship Kurpil Kirolak Ball to Hand Made keen organized by the Society of Ball Kurpil Kirolak. Free entry

* At 22:00: In the fronton of the Street Santiago, Dantza performance of the group Kemen Dantza Taldea. In case of badly time the activity will move to the AMAIA .KZ.

On June 27, Saturday:

* At 10:00: In the facilities of Wave Sagardotegia, Euskal Herriko Hitz Geziduen Txapelketa, organized by Xedera Hitza Jokoak, S.L.

* At 18:00: In the Anzaran’ square , performance of the Majorrettes de San Vicente de Paul, later they will cross diverse streets of the city.

* At 18:00: From the Plaza bulging Urdanibia of the Raise XXXIII Athletic to San Marcial organized by Bidasoa Atletiko Taldea.

* At 20:00: In the Amaia K.Z., Operetta, ” Giant and Pigheaded “, of M. F. Caballer organized by the Lyric Association Luis Mariano de Irun. Price of the entry: 24 € associates and 30 € not associates.

On June 28, Sunday:

* At 10:00: Exit from the facilities of the Sports Society Santiagotarrak of the Concentration II Popular Piragüismo’s and Oar.

* At 19:00: Exit from the square of San Juan of the Giants and Pigheaded of the Irungo Atsegiña and Bidasoako Txaranga accompanied by the fanfarre Irungo Atsegiña and Municipal Band of Txistularis. The streets will cross San Marcial, Sargia, Larretxipi, Plaza Urdanibia, Reedy Street, Santiago, Bidasoa, Avenue of You Go out, Fermín Calbetón keeps silent About Schools, Street, Street León de Iruretagoiena to finish in the square of San Juan

* To them 00:15 hours: From the Bidegorri of Santiago, Fireworks, at the expense of Pyrotechnics Paul.

On June 29, Monday:

* To them 08:00 hours: In diverse neighborhoods, traditional Diana de San Pedro, at the expense of the Band of Musical ” Irun’s City “.

* To them 08:00 hours: Reveille in diverse neighborhoods interpreted by Flageolet-players Uranzu.

* To them 09:30 hours: From the Walk of Colon, exit of the cycle race XC I Reward San Pedro - The Classic XVIIth Irun, category Elite and Sub-23, organized by the Cycle Club Irunés.

* At 10:30: Of the square of San Juan, exit in procession of the Municipal Corporation to the Church, accompanied by the Municipal Band of Txistularis, Band of Musical ” Irun’s City ” and Giants of the Irungo Atsegiña.

* At 12:00: To the exit of Mass and in the Small square of the Reed-bed, the Municipal Corporation will dance the Aurresku.

* At 12:30: In the Arkupes of the House Consistotrial, San’s Pedro Traditional Concert offered by the Band of Musical ” Irun’s City “.

* At 19:00: Exit from the square of San Juan of the Giants and Pigheaded of the Irungo Atsegiña and Bidasoako Txaranga accompanied by the fanfarre Irungo Atsegiña and Municipal Band of Txistularis.

* At 22:00: Rememoración of the Act of the Torches. Exit from the Ambulatory one of the Avda. Gipuzkoa, crossing: Artaleku, Major, San Juan, Prudence Arbide, Street Jesus, Larretxipi, Hermitage, Arbes’s Mill and Artia’s Bridge. Organized by Juvenile Pagoki Asociación.

On June 30, Tuesday:

*  At 06:00 hours: Diana de Villarrobledo.
* Beginning of the Ostentation San Marcial.

* At 12:00: In the mount San Marcial, fulfillment of the Secular Vote of the year 1522 for the Municipal Corporation.

* From 13:00: Mass in San Marcial’s Hermitage on July 01, Wednesday:

*At 08:00 hours: In the square of Urdanibia, contest of cattle organized by Irungo Euskal Kirolak.

* At 10:00: In the square of Urdanibia Trikitilaris.

* At 11:30: In the square of Urdanibia Bertsolaris.

* At 12:00: In the square Rural Urdanibia Deporte.

* At 18:00: In the fronton Uranzu, Departed from Professional Ball organized by Kurpil Kirolak

* At 18:00: In the square of Urdanibia, the XIXth Championship of the Bidasoa of Dance to them Free, organized for Meakako Adixkideak Dantza Taldea.

* At 22:00: Exit of the Fanfarres Jostallu, Elizatxo and Gauerdi.

* At 22:45: From the Bidegorri of Santiago, Fireworks at the expense of Pyrotechnics Zaragozana.

* At 24:00: From the square of Txanaleta, gone out of the Correcalle end of the festivity, which will cross the Walk of Colon, Street Jurisdictions, Major Street to finish in the Plaza San Juan, with the participation of the Fanfarres Jostallu and Elizatxo.