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Carnivals
The Basque Autonomous Region celebrates carnivals in a special way. For several days, entertainment and good atmosphere fill the streets and towns of our geography.
Gipuzkoa
The most popular and overcrowded Gipuzkoa carnivals are held in Tolosa. The big party starts officially on "Big Thursday". Within the next day ("Weak Friday") programme the Festival at the Leidor Theatre is the most remarkable activity. As for Saturday, "Zaldunita bezpera", Tamborradas (parades led by adults and the children) should be mentioned. On Sunday, the streets will be packed with inhabitants dressed in pyjamas and slippers as if they had recently woken up. That day, as well as on Monday ("Astelehenita") and on Tuesday ("Asteartita") floats and bands parade across the streets accompanied by music and dances. The celebration concludes on Tuesday with "the burial of the sardine".
As for carnivals in San Sebastián, "comparsas" –groups participating in carnivals-, dressed as Caldereros, Percebes, Jardineros, Gallos… -are of great importance as they honour Dios Momo, the main character.
To finish, youngsters from Amezketa and Abaltzisketa go all over nearby farmhouses asking for pocket money. There are known as "txantxoak".
Bizkaia
Bilbao celebrates the popular carnivals with a traditional trial. "Farolín" and "Zarambolas" are taken to the traditional trial on the first carnival day. Both figures represent the showing off and kindness that is a characteristic of Bilbao citizens. Besides, "comparsas" become more prominent among the overcrowded beginning of carnivals also known as "bajada", which start on Amézaga Street and finish in El Arenal Promenade.
Not only Bilbao, but also the coastal town of Mundaka celebrates in a special way. "Atorras" (male inhabitants) and "lamias" (female inhabitants) are the undisputed characters in town.
What is more, the traditional carnivals of Markina-Xemein are also worth mentioning. Young "dantzaris" (Basque dancers) perform "zaragi-dantza" or "danza del odre" down the streets on Sunday, which is one of the most representative dances of the Basque Carnivals. A fearsome bear accompanies the "comparsa" with a tamer that is responsible for keeping ghosts away and frighten children off.
Álava
Several areas in Álava give a warm welcome to carnivals. In fact, Vitoria carnivals kick off with "Jueves de Lardero". But , the climax is reached on the weekend thanks to the celebrated fancy dress contest and the overcrowded parade of "comparsas". The event comes to an end with the burial of the sardine in the Plaza Nueva Square.
In addition, Zalduondo celebrates a rural-character carnival. The popular event is considered to be one of the oldest celebrations of Álava. Together with many carnival characters, Zalduondo inhabitants parade up and down on Sunday with an eccentric puppet known as "Markitos". Its life is short as after standing trial the puppet is burnt at the stake before the inhabitants of Zalduondo. The emblematic character represents the evilness of natives. So, when Markitos is burnt all the inhabitants' sins are expiated.
And do not forget carnivals in Laudio, Santa Cruz de Campezo, Agurain -where people disguise themselves as "porreros" and "sorginas"- or Salcedo (Lantarón), where a puppet known as "Porretero" ends up onto a roof.
Gipuzkoa
The most popular and overcrowded Gipuzkoa carnivals are held in Tolosa. The big party starts officially on "Big Thursday". Within the next day ("Weak Friday") programme the Festival at the Leidor Theatre is the most remarkable activity. As for Saturday, "Zaldunita bezpera", Tamborradas (parades led by adults and the children) should be mentioned. On Sunday, the streets will be packed with inhabitants dressed in pyjamas and slippers as if they had recently woken up. That day, as well as on Monday ("Astelehenita") and on Tuesday ("Asteartita") floats and bands parade across the streets accompanied by music and dances. The celebration concludes on Tuesday with "the burial of the sardine".
As for carnivals in San Sebastián, "comparsas" –groups participating in carnivals-, dressed as Caldereros, Percebes, Jardineros, Gallos… -are of great importance as they honour Dios Momo, the main character.
To finish, youngsters from Amezketa and Abaltzisketa go all over nearby farmhouses asking for pocket money. There are known as "txantxoak".
Bizkaia
Bilbao celebrates the popular carnivals with a traditional trial. "Farolín" and "Zarambolas" are taken to the traditional trial on the first carnival day. Both figures represent the showing off and kindness that is a characteristic of Bilbao citizens. Besides, "comparsas" become more prominent among the overcrowded beginning of carnivals also known as "bajada", which start on Amézaga Street and finish in El Arenal Promenade.
Not only Bilbao, but also the coastal town of Mundaka celebrates in a special way. "Atorras" (male inhabitants) and "lamias" (female inhabitants) are the undisputed characters in town.
What is more, the traditional carnivals of Markina-Xemein are also worth mentioning. Young "dantzaris" (Basque dancers) perform "zaragi-dantza" or "danza del odre" down the streets on Sunday, which is one of the most representative dances of the Basque Carnivals. A fearsome bear accompanies the "comparsa" with a tamer that is responsible for keeping ghosts away and frighten children off.
Álava
Several areas in Álava give a warm welcome to carnivals. In fact, Vitoria carnivals kick off with "Jueves de Lardero". But , the climax is reached on the weekend thanks to the celebrated fancy dress contest and the overcrowded parade of "comparsas". The event comes to an end with the burial of the sardine in the Plaza Nueva Square.
In addition, Zalduondo celebrates a rural-character carnival. The popular event is considered to be one of the oldest celebrations of Álava. Together with many carnival characters, Zalduondo inhabitants parade up and down on Sunday with an eccentric puppet known as "Markitos". Its life is short as after standing trial the puppet is burnt at the stake before the inhabitants of Zalduondo. The emblematic character represents the evilness of natives. So, when Markitos is burnt all the inhabitants' sins are expiated.
And do not forget carnivals in Laudio, Santa Cruz de Campezo, Agurain -where people disguise themselves as "porreros" and "sorginas"- or Salcedo (Lantarón), where a puppet known as "Porretero" ends up onto a roof.
Uztaberri Eguna LAPUEBLA DE LABARCA -
ALAVA
Lapuebla de Labarca holds on Feb. 13th the 6th Uztaberri Eguna, a meeting point for those who love wine and good gastronomy. Twenty local wineries open their gates to all visitors, providing them with the chance of tasting the wine produced using grapes from the latest harvest. Furthermore, Uztaberri Eguna has plenty of activities tightly connected to the rural world and the wine production.
The celebration kicks off in the morning followed by the opening of several "txokos" that provide attendees with some of their best products, such as type of doughnuts, oil and olives, soap or "arrope-sweet" (a dessert elaborated by using grape juice). Shortly after, the Basque chef from San Sebastián Martín Berasategi will lead the "pregón" (opening speech), giving way to the beginning of Uztaberri Eguna.
The programme includes also wine tasting with explanations, food tastings, courses, guided tours, a popular lunch and numerous workshops and activities for the little ones.
For more information check out the programme.
The celebration kicks off in the morning followed by the opening of several "txokos" that provide attendees with some of their best products, such as type of doughnuts, oil and olives, soap or "arrope-sweet" (a dessert elaborated by using grape juice). Shortly after, the Basque chef from San Sebastián Martín Berasategi will lead the "pregón" (opening speech), giving way to the beginning of Uztaberri Eguna.
The programme includes also wine tasting with explanations, food tastings, courses, guided tours, a popular lunch and numerous workshops and activities for the little ones.
For more information check out the programme.
Theatre Festival of Eibar EIBAR -
GIPUZKOA
Variety of styles and celebrated actors are the main ingredients of the 33rd Theatre Festival of Eibar (Jornadas de Teatro de Eibar). Twenty plays are to be performed many times onstage at the Education Complex Theatre and Coliseo Theatre (Teatro del Complejo Educativo and Coliseo). Eight stagings will be held in Eibar, Euskadi. The programme gathers together productions that met success among the public and little and not very known companies that have won praise from the specialised critics.
Two of the most expected plays are La vida por delante and La omisión de la familia Coleman. Performed a couple of times in Euskadi, the first is played by the celebrated Spanish actress Concha Velasco, who stars as a former Jewish prostitute. The second performance, by the Argentinean company Timbre 4, tells the story of a very unconventional family.
Opening this year's Theatre Festival of Eibar will be Mercado libre, whose cast is led by the Argentinean actor Daniel Freire.
What is more, companies from different countries will also be present, and there will also be room for activities for the little ones included in the programme. Young university students are also scheduled to perform their works before the public.
In case this is not enough, "El teatro en el cine" (theatre on cinema) season is due to screen films related somehow to the theatre world.
Two of the most expected plays are La vida por delante and La omisión de la familia Coleman. Performed a couple of times in Euskadi, the first is played by the celebrated Spanish actress Concha Velasco, who stars as a former Jewish prostitute. The second performance, by the Argentinean company Timbre 4, tells the story of a very unconventional family.
Opening this year's Theatre Festival of Eibar will be Mercado libre, whose cast is led by the Argentinean actor Daniel Freire.
What is more, companies from different countries will also be present, and there will also be room for activities for the little ones included in the programme. Young university students are also scheduled to perform their works before the public.
In case this is not enough, "El teatro en el cine" (theatre on cinema) season is due to screen films related somehow to the theatre world.
Valderejo Natural Park (VALDEGOVÍA
- ALAVA)
A high and wide valley enclosed by steep hillsides ending in rocky cliffs is probably the best way to sum up the landscape of Valderejo (3418.5 Ha). Declared a Natural Park in 1992, the valley is located in the most western part of Alava, on the boundary with Burgos. It is almost uninhabited, which has favoured the existence of a rich and varied flora and fauna.
The Bóveda Mountain Range and the western stretch of the Árcena Massif enclose and protect this valley, whereas deep into it the River Purón flows through large meadows and plantations. With the passing of years its waters have eroded the mountains of this singular natural area.
Lalastra, the heart of the Park
We gain access to the park through the Valdegovía Valley from the village of San Millán de Zadornil in the province of Burgos. The road will lead us to the town of Lalastra in the heart of Valderejo, a starting point for the routes and itineraries that the park offers.
The Park House (Parketxea) is a beautiful building made of wood and with large windows that is located on the outskirts of the town. It provides hikers with all the information on park routes, activities and services. Visitors can also drop by the Rural Interpretation Centre, where the history of the valley and the habits and customs of its people are displayed.
In Lalastra, we will also find a recreational area with a playground and picnic area. The village boasts a restaurant and rural tourist facilities, ideal places to get our strength back once we have finished the visit to the park. The mountains that enclose the valley offer different hiking and climbing routes. Those nine itineraries with varied length and difficulties travel across the whole parkland. Most of them cover a short distance, but some link up with others, providing long walks to more experienced mountaineers.
Lahoz, Villamardones and Ribera
Apart from Lalastra, there are three other rural centres in Valderejo: Lahoz, Villamardones and Ribera. The last two were abandoned several decades ago. An interesting walk could be to visit their ruins.
The human being has dwelled the valley since time immemorial. The traces of that presence are noticeable in the area's cultural and architectural heritage, which accommodates megalithic monuments (the tumulus of San Lorenzo, the monolith on Mount Lerón) as well as churches and hermitages of different periods. There are remains of a road from the Roman period, and in Ribera for example, stands a Romanesque church with unusual medieval paintings.
Remarks
Mountain paths are not adapted for use by disabled people.
The Bóveda Mountain Range and the western stretch of the Árcena Massif enclose and protect this valley, whereas deep into it the River Purón flows through large meadows and plantations. With the passing of years its waters have eroded the mountains of this singular natural area.
Lalastra, the heart of the Park
We gain access to the park through the Valdegovía Valley from the village of San Millán de Zadornil in the province of Burgos. The road will lead us to the town of Lalastra in the heart of Valderejo, a starting point for the routes and itineraries that the park offers.
The Park House (Parketxea) is a beautiful building made of wood and with large windows that is located on the outskirts of the town. It provides hikers with all the information on park routes, activities and services. Visitors can also drop by the Rural Interpretation Centre, where the history of the valley and the habits and customs of its people are displayed.
In Lalastra, we will also find a recreational area with a playground and picnic area. The village boasts a restaurant and rural tourist facilities, ideal places to get our strength back once we have finished the visit to the park. The mountains that enclose the valley offer different hiking and climbing routes. Those nine itineraries with varied length and difficulties travel across the whole parkland. Most of them cover a short distance, but some link up with others, providing long walks to more experienced mountaineers.
Lahoz, Villamardones and Ribera
Apart from Lalastra, there are three other rural centres in Valderejo: Lahoz, Villamardones and Ribera. The last two were abandoned several decades ago. An interesting walk could be to visit their ruins.
The human being has dwelled the valley since time immemorial. The traces of that presence are noticeable in the area's cultural and architectural heritage, which accommodates megalithic monuments (the tumulus of San Lorenzo, the monolith on Mount Lerón) as well as churches and hermitages of different periods. There are remains of a road from the Roman period, and in Ribera for example, stands a Romanesque church with unusual medieval paintings.
Remarks
Mountain paths are not adapted for use by disabled people.
SELECT A DESTINATION
You can also Select a destination by area
Bilbao
6º/9º
Vitoria
Gasteiz
Gasteiz
1º/5º
Donostia
San Sebastian
San Sebastian
5º/8º
