What did happen on August 31 in San Sebastian?

On June 22nd, 1813, and while the main body of Napoleon’s army had to withdraw crossing the border, Emmanuel Rey, a French General, took control of the town with 2,600 soldiers. The allies, the Anglo-Portuguese troops under the direct command of Sir Thomas Graham, and the supreme commander of the Duke of Wellington, besieged and cut the town off with a large contingent of troops and weapons. From that time onwards, and up to the town’s capture on August 31st, both sides carried out tactical movements prior to the battle. In the meantime, the French got out thousands of pro-French supporters who were in San Sebastián, invited the population to evacuate the town, seized San Bartolomé convent, and set fire to the buildings outside the town walls. The Anglo-Portuguese troops tightened up the siege, and positioned every battery.

The first attack on the town took place on July 25th, as soon as it was thought the shells had opened a big enough breach; but the attack was repelled by the French, who inflicted heavy losses on the Anglo-Portuguese troops. On August 4th, twenty one people, who got away from San Sebastián prior to the siege, sent the Duke of Wellington an account of the town’s predicament, due to the siege, in which they made a plea on behalf of their neighbours and the town itself. The letter never reached the English supreme commander because Alava, the Spanish General, did not consider it appropiate.

On August 31st, 1813, at two o’clock in the morning, and after several days of heavy bombing which widened the breach (French troops went through the same in 1719) a column of volunteers called the desperadoes started the attack. When they arrived at the upper part of the breach opened in the wall, they found themselves, much to their surprise, to be four metres above ground; taking advantage of their confusion, the French, unhesitantly, riddled them with bullets.

When a new withdrawal seemed to be most sensible course of action, an accidental fire, as well as the explosion of a French ammunition dump, provoked chaos on the French side. The attackers took advantage of the incident, forcing the French troops to withdraw towards the castle, where they surrended on September 8th.

During this time, the allied troops burned, looted, raped and killed. Looting went on for six and a half days, and only two parish churches and thirty five houses in the Calle de la Trinidad, nowadays called 31 de Agosto, were saved from the fire. The houses were not set on fire, because they were used as lodgings for British and Portuguese officers, while they attacked the castle. The population that had been 5,500 before the siege dropped to 2,600.

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 Kutxa is the box of wood in which the relics of the confraternity of arrantzales are kept: the chalice with which the High Mass was serviced in the day of San Pedro, “vinajeras”(vinegar containers) of silver, a cross of silver, the papal bulla granted to the confraternity by Clemente VIII in the year 1595 and the books of accounts and minutes of the arrantzales. The maximum agent chief executive, the Abbot Mayor, was saving in his house the box with the relics and the books of the confraternity.

In the celebration which begins on 6 p.m., there takes place a procession presided by a young woman dressed with an elegant garment and the traditional shawl of Manila and she carries on the head the Kutxa. At this time she will depart the procession from San Pedro’s Confraternity of Sea towards the parochial church of Our Lady of the Asuncion and of the Manzano. It will be headed by the Band of music, which will be the one that marks the pace of the parade to the sound of Okendo’s march. After there will place the protagonist, the carrier of the Kutxa, covered and surrounded with twelve young rowers and with the authorities. There will close the courtship the bosses of Hondarribia’s fleet. Already in the church one will give reading to the annual Balance. After this act, the documents will return to the Kutxa and, once again, the procession will be started. From the church they will return to the Confraternity.

It is the moment most waited by the locals when the young woman, placed in the center of an arch that the arrantzales (fishermen) form with their oars, to the pace of the music interpreted by the Band she star spinning around on herself with the kutxa in the head. She will have to give as many turns as she could, since, according to the tradition, on the number of times that she spins herself there will depend the success of the catch of this year. The people observes expectantly the young woman and encourages her with their applauses.

In spite of the fact that the charges of the confraternity already are not renewed every year, but every four, every day of San Pedro carries out the procession up to the church and every July 25, recalling the former transfer of power, there is renewed the tradition of the Delivery of the Kutxa.

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.

Our Lady of Monte Carmelo, recounted commonly as Virgin of Carmen, is one of the diverse dedications of the Virgin Mary.This denomination comes from the so called Monte Carmelo, in Israel, a name that derives from the word Karmel or Al-Karem and that might be translated as ‘garden’. The fishermen have nominated the Virgin of the Carmelo their faithful patron for this reason, the Virgin of Carmen is known as ” the star of the seas ” (Stella Maris). Therefore many traditionally fishing localities have venerated the figure of the Virgin of Carmen as well as some localities in which a Carmelite order exists.

In the Basque Country exist numerous localities that celebrate these days their main patron saint festivity, the most popular festivals are those of Santurtzi, Barakaldo, Santutxu, Balmaseda, Markina, Plentzia, Amorebieta, Alegia and Trintxerpe.

Barakaldo Karmenak 2009

Barakaldo is one of the festivities of the Virgin of Carmen that more budget has and one of the most multitudinous, they are celebrated from July 11 to July 19 and emphasize overcoat the cartel of the concerts that are in the habit of relying on numerous groups or soloists of current importance and this year we can emphasize the known figures that people can come to enjoy this year. Likewise among the out-standing figures of the music we will be able to enjoy the program “Music of the World” with musicians with diverse styles of folklore.

In addition, between the 13th and 18th of July, the young local bands of Barakaldo will take part in the Festival Pop Rock.

Besides the music it is necessary to emphasize several acts. As for example the spectacle ” BADATOR JOLIN ” (Jolín is the mascot of the celebration) on July 11 to 18:30h, one parade loaded with music and amusement that will cross the streets from Gernikako Arbola to the pormenade of the Fueros to give the welcome to the festivity. This year Jolín comes accompanied by guests of luxury, the surprising long-legged ones of the spectacle “Cabaret” of the Cía. Kull D’sac and behind pushing the pasacalles the yellow tide will dance to the frantic sound of the spectacle of Brazilian percussion in stilts “Batucando ” of the company NOT AR.

Also we will be able to enjoy several days of the fireworks launched from Portu’s dock, the same July 11 of the pyrotechnics Astondoa, July 15 of the Pyrotechnics Caballer FX and July 18 of the Pyrotechnics Zaragozana, all of them start at 23:00h.

In these celebration the folklore also does the first act of presence on July 12 at 21:00 it will be possible enjoy an Exhibition of Basque Dances at the expense of the groups of dances of Barakaldo Laguntasuna and Erreka Ortu, in the Parque de los Hermanos and on July 17 other one at 21:00h at the expense of the groups of Dances of Barakaldo Amaia and Ibarrakaldu, in the same place. And on July 16 at 20:00h we will be able to enjoy an exhibition of itinerant Txalaparta from the Plaza Bidet Onera, Plaza Cataluña, Paseo de los Fueros, Zaballa until Plaza de Santa Teresa.

Music concerts programed:

Friday 10 JULY

• 20:00 Herriko Plaza: Grupo Folclórico Viginti Millys de Sicilia
• 23:00 Herriko Plaza: Tony Ronald

Saturday 11 JULY

• 23:30 Herriko Plaza: Orishas

Sunday 12 JULY

• 23:00 Herriko Plaza: Tirri Tarra

Tuesday 14 JULY

• 20:00 Herriko Plaza: Navajita Plateá and Vembrulé
• 23:00 Herriko Plaza: Oreka TX

Wednesday 15 JULY

• 22:00 Frontón Lasesarre: Gatibu
• 23:30 Herriko Plaza: Macaco

Thursday 16 JULY

• 22:00 Frontón Lasesarre: La Pulquería
• 23:00 Herriko Plaza: El Sueño de Morfeo

Friday 17 JULY

• 23:00 Herriko Plaza: Diana Navarro

Saturday 18 JULY

• 20:00 Herriko Plaza: Grupo Gospel de Louisiana
• 22:00 Frontón Lasesarre: GBH and Distorsión
• 23:30 Herriko Plaza: Mago de Oz

Patron saint of Carmen festivities in Santurtzi

As good neighbors and antagonists the celebration of Santurtzi and Barakaldo put all the meat in the spit to be the best festivity of Carmen of Biscay. Though it is necessary to emphasize that in those of Santurtzi we can observe a bit more of protagonism to the folklore and the Virgin of Carmen for the acts that are celebrated around this one. Near a hundred of activities compose the program of acts of the celebration of  Carmen in Santurtzi, who will be celebrated from July 10 to July 19 and whom they will begin, as it is traditional, with a great sardin’s barbecue at 7 p.m. in the streets Capitán Mendizabal and Juan XXIII who will mark the beginning of the festivity on Friday, the 10th of July.

The main act of  Santurtzi’s celebration is the maritime procession and as every July 16 the religious fervor and coastal tradition they go of the hand in Santurtzi. The Virgin of Carmen raises passions in the historical village. The locality is launched to the street to venerate their saint patron and with honors worship the virgin with a maritime procession already centenary. Dozens of thousands of devout approach up to the fishing port to see the parade in boat. A print without equal in Basque Country.

The carving of the Virgin departs from the church of San Jorge at six o’clock in the evening. On having pealed the bells, always punctually, it goes towards the port. Flanked by several rowers and a good number of sardineras, it is when she receives the proclamations of worship of the people. ” The Virgin of Carmen lives”, it is heard insistently in her step. Until she comes at the foot of the sea and embarks in her own small boat to give beginning to the maritime procession. Not only the ships organized by the town hall form a part of this procession also tens of small ships remain adorned the stela of the Virgin. They cover her up to The outside Bay, where the procession gives about-face to return again to Santurtzi. After almost two hours of tour, and once in firm land, the image is carried again up to the parish, where she will rest an entire year up to the next parade.

In addition, the festive program includes infantile activities in the Central Park, sports activities, passacalles, activities for the “cuadrillas”, theatre of street, and a fair of agricultural products on the 16th known as Fair of Carmen. We can emphasize on the 11th at 12:00h the event of the Open of Aizkolaris of Biscay in the Fishing Port, at 18:00h the Semi-finals of the Category Senior of the Tilt II of Pelota Itsasalde in the fronton Larrea, at 18:45h the edition XXX of the ditch of fishing boats Santurtzi’s flag and at 19:30h the Ostentation of the groups of  Dance Zugaitza, Mendi Alde, Mamarigako Etorkisuna, Bihotz Gaztea, Mahastiako Dantza Taldea and Dantza Zaharrak in the esplanade close to the Pantalanes. On the 12th at 20:30h the VIII concert of Txistularis organized by the band of Txistularis de Santurtzi and the participation of txistularis of the Basque Country, Salleko Euskal Dantza taldea, Roberto Etxebarria y Kepa’s trikitilareis Arrizabalaga, Metal quintet Portu Bras … in the esplanade of the Pantalanes. Also a marvellous musical offer exists, this one is the program of concerts: Friday 10 JULY

• 23:00 Parkea - Zarama

Saturday 11 JULY

• 23:00 Parkea - Taxi

Sunday 12 JULY

• 22:30 Parkea - Baron Rojo

Monday 13 JULY

• 22:30 Parkea - Conchita y Nena Daconte

Tuesday 14 JULY

• 22:30 Parkea - Carlos Baute

Wednesday 15 JULY

• 23:00 Parkea - Village People

Thursday 16 JULY

• 23:30 Parkea - Luis Eduardo Aute

Friday 17 JULIO

• 23:00 Parkea - Tequila

Saturday 18 JULY

• 23:00 Parkea - Bunbury

Other localities that celebrate the Virgin of Carmen

Amorebieta-Etxano, Bakio, Getxo, Lemoiz, Markina, Plentzia, Armintza and Larrabasterra (Sopelana) in Biscay and Trintxerpe in Guipuzcoa celebrate somehow the day of the virgin of Carmen.

In Plentzia the week following St Cirstobal they continue the celebrations with the “Festival of the Port”, celebrated the day of Carmen, July 16. The festive program begins with the usual txupinazo after which a mass celebrates in honor to our Lady of Carmen and a traditional maritime procession. Close to this procession, they will be the marine activities those that characterize these festivity. The development of diverse aquatic games and the Ditch of Fishing boats, they suppose the typical note complemented with the habitual festive activities: Music festival, infantile games, gastronomic contests (marmitaco), etc. The celebration of Carmen in Larrabasterra, a Sopelana’s neighborhood (Biscay), will begin on Wednesday, the 16th of July and will extend until the 20th, day in the one that will give begin the festivity of Holy festivity of Saint Marina in the Rocks of St Marine, belonging to the same Biscayan municipality.

The Carmen festivity in Larrabasterra begin on July 16 and they will conclude with the beginning of those of St Marina. The festive program will meet beginning on the pasacalles encouraged by Barinatxe Taldea up to the chapel of, where at 12 p.m. the High Mass will take place. Later, there will offer an aurresku of honor and performance of the Choir of the Home of the Pensioner ‘Lagun Artea’ in the Plaza Urgitxeta. During three days it will be possible enjoy several gastronomic popular meetings, as the roast and degustation of rib, chistorra, pudding and cider Wednesday, the 16th, the popular food Saturday, the 19th or the contests of marmitako and tortilla.

In addition, the music will be also one of the principal ingredients along all the celebration, with the traditional Festival of Cuban dances or that of Popular Song, concerts of the Band Uribe-Bazterra, pilgrimages, batucada and in the night the performances of Deskontrol, The Locos, Segismundo Toxicómano, The Cherry Boppers, Ossyris, Orugha and Esne Beltza in the enclosure of txosnas or in the square Urgitxeta.

In Trintxerpe, Pasaia’s neighborhood, they are celebrated in style emphasizing the multidude of tamborradas that cross the streets of this small locality and the maritime procession of the Virgin of Carmen that this year will return to go out to the sea.  Inside the program of hthe festivity of this year it is necessary to emphasize on July 12 to them 12:00 the Ditch XII of Fishing boats ARC-2, Trintxerpe’s Flag from the wharf of the Herrera; on the 13th, July 14 and 15 at 19:30h the Tríduos to the Virgin of the Carmen in the Church of Carmen; on July 14 to them 20:00h the Special Concert 50 º Anniversary and Proclamation of  Holiday with the participation of the Choir Ametsa of Irún in the Church of Carmen; on Saturday, the 18th of July at 12:30h Herri Kirolak and at 18:30h sardins barbecue and degustation of cider the two next to the market and finally on Sunday, the 19th at 11:00h games of Pelota in the Fronton and at 22:30h the Bull of fire and the end of the celebration.

The tamborrada is a traditional parade usually to celebrate the main festivities of each town, playing traditional songs with drums and barrels. The different tamborradas are one of the most interesting acts during these festivity:

WEDNESDAY, 15 JULY 22:00 Traditional Tamborrada. From Serafín Esnaola Square. Parade: Serafín Esnaola Square - Gudaris Square - Euskadi Etorbidea - Jaizkibel - Azkuene - Euskadi Etorbidea - Tenencia de Alcaldía. THURSDAY, 16 JULY 18:00 Maritime  Tamborrada in honor to our  Sailors with the Saint patron Virgin of Carmen From Carmen’s Church. Parade: Church- Euskadi Etorbidea - Boarding to the boat in the pantalan  - Maritime voyage up to the Tower - Return to the pantalán - Esnabide - Euskadi Etorbidea - Jaizkibel - Azkuene -Euskadi Etorbidea. FRIDAY, 17 JULY 21:00 Family Tamborrada. From  Serafín Esnaola Square. Parade: Serafín Esnaola Square -  Gudaris Square - Euskadi Etorbidea - Jaizkibel - Ulia - Azkuene - Euskadi Etorbidea. SATURDAY, 18 JULY 17:30 Azkuene’s Tamborrada . From Ulia. Parade: Avda. Ulia - Andoaegi - Pescadería - Serafín Esnaola - Gudaris Square-  Euskadi Etorbidea - Jaizkibel - Azkuene - Euskadi Etorbidea - Gudaris Square. SUBDAY, 19 JULY 19:30 Women’s Tamborrada. From Serafín Esnaola Square. Recorrido: Serafin Esnaola - Pescadería - Euskadi Etorbidea - Jaizkibel - Azkuene - Euskadi Etorbidea - Gudaris Square.

The most known worldwide “fiesta” the San Fermines of Pamplona.

The celebration is celebrated in honor to San Fermin, saint patron of Navarre, though for many years the religious component has stayed on the second plane. Nowadays they happen for being a multitudinous party visited by people of all the corners of the world and in that the partyng, the amusement and the happiness are his more out-standing ingredients.

This year due to the crisis has reduced the budget that the town hall dedicates to these celebration, in spite of this the program of this year has numerous attractions and relies on his main attraction that they are the bull-runings and the  bullfights.

The party begins ” The txupinazo “

This moment is marked by a rocket - the “Txupinazo” - which is set off to announce the start of the Fiesta. It can look like a great madness but in the square where is located the town Hall of Pamplona there re-join thousands of people from all the points of Pamplona, nearby localities and lots of foreign, young and fewer young men dressed in white and with the red “pañuelico”(scarf) to the neck. The square of the Town hall is, for them, the center of the world, there where it is going to exploit the party in the same moment in which the first rocket teared the silence of the sky.

This thousands of persons go hours waiting for the moment, the longed rocket that gives beginning to one of the longest parties of the year, more than 200 hours of amusement, party, merriment… And the moment will come on July 6 at 12 a.m. exactly from the midday with the uproar of the rocket that this year will be thrown by the councillor of the PSN in the Town hall of Pamplona Maite Esporrín and after this will hear the ritual shout: “Pamploneses , Viva San Fermín, Gora San Fermin! “. Then the peoples begin to dance and to sing and the party comes untied.

50 anniversary of Ernest Hemingway’s last visit

This year fulfills 50 anniversary of the last visit of the great Ernest Hemingway and as commemoration to the personage who was the major culprit of the universal reputation of the San Fermin’s celebrations will be celebrated the day of Hemingway on July 9 with several acts programmed in honor to the famous American writer and journalist. This day will realize an honoring in which Valerie Hemingway will take part and a contest will be realized of seemed of Hemingway in which the grandson of the author will be of juror.

The bull-runings and the bullfights
During 8 days that last these celebration every morning at 8 a.m. punctually after the canticle to the patron saint San Fermin of the young boys corridors and the initial rocket that indicates that the bulls are already in the street the bull-runing begins, principal act of these so peculiar fiesta and that is in the habit of lasting between 2 and 3 minutes. The second rocket immediately resounds indicating that all the bulls are already in the street. The bull-runing passes from the street Santo Domingo up to the Bullring.

Besides the bull-runing the bullfighting spectacle continues every evening for the lovers of the bullfighting. In the bullring the Fair of the Bull takes place with the best names of the bullfighting panorama.

The stockbreeding companies of the bull-runing and the Fair of the Bull 2009 of this year:

• On July 6: Fair of the bull, D. Fermín Bohórquez’s for the “rejoneadores” Joao Salgueiro, Paul Hermoso of Mendoza and Sergio Galán.
• On July 7: Peñajara’s and fair of the Bull with the same stockbreeding company for El Fundi, Luis Bolívar and Salvador Cortés.
• On July 8: D. Jose Cebada Gago’s stockbreeding company and fair with Antonio Barrera, Francisco Marco and Sergio Aguilar.
• On July 9: ” The Ventorrillo ” stockbreeding company and fair of the  El Cid, Sebastián Castella y José María Manzanares.
• On July 10: “Jandilla” and fair of the same stockbreeding company with El Fandi, Matías Tejela and Rubén Pinar.
• On July 11: Mrs. Dolores Aguirre Ybarra stockbreeding company and fair of the same with Serafín Marín, David Mora y Joselillo.
• On July 12: “Miura” and fair of the same stockbreeding company for Juan Jose Padilla, Rafaelillo and Millan.
• On July 13: “Fuente Ymbro” and fair of the same stockbreeding company with Antonio Ferrera, Ángel Perera and Daniel Luque.
• On July 14: “Nuñez del Cuvillo” and fair with the same stockbreeding company with Morante de la Puebla, el Juli y Miguel Ángel Perera.

The concerts and the music in San Fermin

Other one of the strong points of the celebration are the concerts that take place every day, here we can see the effect has had the cut of budget since in the cartel we do not see so many big figures of the music as we were used to in previous occasions.

The free concerts of this year at 12:30 p.m. in the Fueros Square and they will act:

• On July 6: Fangoria and Funk Falate.
• On July 7: El Columpio Asesino and Mea Culpa.
• On July 8: Krakovia and Ukabildu.
• On July 9: Siniestro Total and La Biscuit Box.
• On July 10: Lucas Masciano and Barua.
• On July 11: Sidecars and Sueños Rotos.
• On July 12: Toom Pak.
• On July 13: U2 for Please and Los Terraplenes.

On the other hand this year one of the most known worldwide Deejays , Dj Tiesto with his Dances of light Bullmusic  show that he produces honoring to The Light, with a gigantic and spectacular audio-visual studding accompanied of an oneiric scenery. The spectacle will be in the Amaya Stadium of Pamplona on Friday, the July 10th  at 20 p.m., to enjoy it it is necessary to pay 47 €.

More activities of one of the most worldwide known fiesta of the world

Activities of all kinds can enjoy us during this festive week, one of the most popular is the International Contest of Fireworks San Fermin’s celebrations in that they take part different national and international pyrotechnics. Every day at eleven o’clock in the night from the Citadel, the fireworks go off during half an hour.

The folklore also does act of presence this year, one hour and a half after the powerful kick, “the txupinazo”, there is a great folklore festival, fundamentally of Basque dances, in the Fueros square , with dantzaris from Pamplona and all this region. In addition in the same square several days to the midday there is a great exhibition of rural Basque sport: cutters of trunks (aizkolariak), lifters of stones (harrijasotzaileak), races ballasted with txingas (weigh), korrikalaris, sokatira etc. Rarely you will have opportunity to see assembled so many manifestations of the popular Basque sports.

In the Park of the Half moon there are in the habit of being several mornings different spectacles of Basque culture: one day a festival of bertsolaris (improvisers of poems sung in basque language), another day there is a traditional massive concert of txistus (kind of Basque flute). Approximately at the same hour, but in Sarasate’s Walk, there are in the habit of being recitals of jots (songs principally in Castilian typical of the south of Navarre). In the Copse every day at 20:30 there is in the habit of being groups of dance and music of the regional houses (Andalusian, Extremaduran, Galician … etc); it is a good sample of Spanish folklore.

Other one of the out-standing acts is the procession of July 7th, from 10 a.m.till 2 p.m., the procession of San Fermin is walked through the old area, act of tradition and long history, that goes back probably until the century XIIl. The town hall Corporation, in body of city, that is to say that they are dressed for the occasion and accompanied of clarineros, timpanists, mace-bearers, escort, txistularis, pipers, extra of giants and pigheaded and Municipal band, goes to the Cathedral to searching to the chapter (assembly of the ecclesiastic charges of the cathedral). All together, they retrace the way and come to the chapel of San Fermin (church of San Lorenzo) to gather the image of the saint. Once the procession is completed, in a fixed order as the protocol says, the procession begins its tour througth the old Pamplona area, which in approximately one hour and a half it returns the image to its chapel. Of there, the Town hall returns to accompany to the chapter up to the cathedral, where they separate and the act gives itself finished. The most interesting of the procession they are the diverse “momenticos”, pauses in the tour of that they take advantage to honour the saint, often by means of sung prayers. The excellent “momentico” is that of the porch of the cathedral.

As a popular act every day at ten o’clock at night we can come to see the bull of fire that goes out from the square of Santiago. An appliance in the shape of bull that is giving up fire, petards and hints for the whole street. Though it does not seem risk, does not have any more that small holes in the clothes for one of the sparks of the bull.

And finally the act that gives end to so much merriment the “Pobre de mí”(Poor me), with it ends (officially) Sanfermin, in the Square of the Town hall at twelve o’clock at night the 14th. The people join and are singing the ” poor person of me, poor person of my, that have ended the fiesta of San Fermin “, the song of farewell. The people are sad because everything is ended and turns the routine, “Pobre de mí” is the culmination of the whole day of farewells: the farewell of the giants, in the morning, the farewell of the groups of youngs in the square in the evening.

In the “Pobre de mí”  there is not as many agglomeration as in the txupinazo, though every time there are more people. It is possible to go with children. The only thing with what it is necessary to have care is with the spots of wax: it is a custom to represent with a flushed candle. The majority, with very good criterion, puts a glass of plastic around.

And those are the most interesting acts of the big fiesta of  “San Fermin”, but definitely this is more than a list of activities, this is a feeling that you must live at least for once in your life.

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.

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.

As every year international and local  jazz celebrities will be showing their names on the current edition. The diferent jazz festivals of  Euskadi have adapted theirselves to the state of economic crisis reducing the days of the festival or removing some of the sections. In spite of it they have managed “to support or even to improve” the quality of previous editions, according to the organizers.

Vitoria-Gasteiz Jazz Festival

Vitoria-Gasteiz Jazz Festival , from july 12 till 18, has decided to take the inaugural act to the Mendizorroza’s Polysport instead of to Armentia, because the staging there is very expensive.

Likewise, the habitual seminar has been replaced with a few magisterial classes of three days at the expense of the best guitarist of jazz of the moment, Pat Metheny, who on Wednesday the 15th of July will act together with Charli Hden and diverse Spanish musicians, among them Kepa Junkera.

The persons in charge of the festival have met in addition bound to realize a last-minute change in the programming of Friday, the 17th of July immediately after singer Randy Crawford and the pianist Joe Sample had been hospitalized. This way, the concert that was foreseen on the occasion of 50 Billie Holiday’s anniversary will be carried out by Madeleine Peyroux’s unmistakable voice as well as the singer of jazz Didi Bridgewater, which precisely is recording a disc dedicated entirely to Billie Holiday. ” In this concert it will be the first time that Didi will sing the reportorio entirely in a festival. It is a world premier and her concert also will be exclusive in Europe “, has Anúa made clear.

This year, the festival recovers the gospel with the guitarist John Scofield and his band of New Orleans and with the most important group of Gospel of the world, The Blind Boys of Alabama. The public will have opportunity as well to listen in the same stage the electrical bass of Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller and Victor Wooten, and to enjoy Wynton Marsalis’s performances at the head of the Jazz at Lincoln Centre Orchestra with Chano Domínguez and Paco de Lucía, playing the ” Vitoria Suite “, composed in honoring to Vitoria. There will be able to listen to Jymmy Cobb, the last alive component of the disc of Jazz more sold of the history, Kind of Blue, among other artists.

44 Heineken Jazzaldia

For their part, the persons in charge of 44 Heineken Jazzaldia have reduced in one day the festival for what it will develop from July 22 to July 26. The schedule of this edition relies on four mythical names of the jazz: the legends of the keyboard Hank Jones, Abdullah Ibrahim and Randy Weston, and the drummer Roy Haynes, who already acted in the of Guipuzcoa capital in 1983.

This year the Plaza of the Trinidad recovers after one year missed because of the works to renovate it. On this stage Randy Weston, Joe Lovano, Roy Hayenes, Hope Spaldin, Periwig Sambeat, Pitingo, Mélissa Laveaux and Jamie Cullum will act in this edition.

The Jazzaldia will receive in addition in the Kursaal Brad Mehldau’s acoustic concert, Carla Bley with her Big Band, Joe Lovato, 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.

Getxo’s Internacional Festival

The Basque jazz circuit is completed by the  XXXIII Getxo’s International Festival, which will take place from July 1 to July 5. This year the festival will bring together artists and groups of great stature as Paquito DïRivera, Spyro Gyra, Michael Camimo, Imar Sossa and the vocalist Diane Schuur. They will not also be absent the contest of groups and the section The Third Millenium, the night jam sessions and the marching band that will cross the different streets of the Biscayan locality. The person in charge, Iñaki Saitua, has admitted that to being the smallest festival of the three they have noticed less the crisis and have not had to remove or to short the schedule.

Three festivals are fitted inside the campaign Jazzeuskadi, directed in turn to promote the tourist and cultural offer of the Basque Autonomic region. For it, there offer packages that include stays in hotels, as well as gastronomic offer and tickets to visit the Guggenheim Museum .

ICWE 2009 aims at promoting practical and scientific excellence on Web Engineering and at bringing together practitioners, and researchers working in technologies, methodologies, tools, and techniques used to develop and maintain Web-based applications leading to better applications and systems, and thus to enabling and improving the dissemination and use of content and services through the Web.

TOPICS
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* Domain-specific approaches for Web-based applications and solutions
* Migration towards Web 2.0
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