Durango will be filled with Basque culture, music, sports, and tradition from June 2 to 14 during a new edition of the Euskal Jaiak (Basque Festivals), featuring some thirty different activities. The program will also include a special closing day on the 19th of the following month, dedicated to the sport of pelota.
As a prelude to the festivities, the Ezkurdi Hall will host—until June 7—the exhibition for the 17th Inter-school Children’s Drawing, Painting, and Crafts Contest, organized by the Duranguesado Artistic Association.
The program will kick off on Tuesday, June 2, at the San Agustin Kultur Gunea with “Loraldia Eskola,” where students from the San Antonio Ikastetxea will perform the works Bidelagunak – 7 Kantu and Xabier Amuriza Pastorala. On Wednesday, June 3, the Zugaza Cinema will screen the children’s film Superheroien Familia for students from the Kurutziaga Ikastola.
On Friday, June 5, the Kurutzesantu Museum will host Auzoko Elkarrizketak: Elkarbizitza Euskaratik (Neighborhood Dialogues: Coexistence through Basque), organized by the Taupa Euskaltzaleen Mugimendua, while the Ezkurdi Jai Alai venue will host the semifinals of the 15th “Peter Memorial” Pelota Championship.
During the presentation, the City Council and the participating associations highlighted the value of the Euskal Jaiak as “a celebration built upon collaboration and popular participation.” Mayor Mireia Elkoroiribe and the Councilor for Culture and the Basque Language, Paule Sánchez, noted that this new edition once again champions a diverse program open to the entire citizenry, featuring activities that combine culture, tradition, music, sports, and community togetherness. Furthermore, they wished to express their gratitude for the involvement of the various collectives, educational centers, and local entities that—for another year running—are contributing to keeping these traditions alive and reinforcing their cultural and social significance in Durango. On Saturday, June 6, a decorative clay plate workshop—held as part of Jolas Eguna (Play Day)—will take place at Otamotzena, alongside the semifinals of the 22nd Cesta Punta Championship. The day’s events will also feature a Basque dance exhibition by Muskildi and Tronperri at Andra Mari, as well as the “Durango Hiria” txistu (flute) concert, organized by the Silboberri Txistu Association and featuring performances by Vanesa Aibar and Canito.
On Sunday, June 7, Jolas Eguna continues with “Irulegiren Eskuaren Bila” (In Search of the Hand of Irulegi)—an activity inspired by Basque mythology—held in the San Fausto neighborhood. In the afternoon, Plateruena will host the narrative concert “Sam Gandarias, migrazioaren ahotsa” (Sam Gandarias: The Voice of Migration), performed by the group Luhartz.
The semifinals of the 15th “Peter Memorial” Championship return to Ezkurdi Jai Alai on Tuesday, June 10. Meanwhile, Wednesday, June 11, will be dedicated to school and educational activities, featuring herri kirolak (traditional Basque sports) exhibitions in Ezkurdi Plaza, traditional games gatherings at the Landako Sports Center, and a Basque music party with Oihan Vega at the Ezkurdi bandstand. On that same day, the Zugaza Cinema will screen the documentary Euskal Herritik Himalaiara, nola eta norekin (From the Basque Country to the Himalayas: How and With Whom), presented by Tasio Martin Elorrieta and organized by the Alpino Tabira Mountaineering Association.
On Friday, June 12, Tabira will host a batucada (Afro-Brazilian drumming) workshop as part of Jolas Eguna, while the Sugarri Fanfare will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a kalejira (parade) through the Old Town. Additionally, Ezkurdi Jai Alai will serve as the venue for the final phase of the Bizkaia Inter-Towns Pelota a Mano (Hand-Pelota) Championship.
The day’s events on Saturday, June 13, will offer a blend of arts and crafts, sports, and festive atmosphere. Andra Mari will host a craft fair and a macramé demonstration organized by EIXU Artisauen Elkartea, while Muruetatorre will feature traditional wooden games for children as part of Jolas Egunak (Games Days), held within the framework of its neighborhood festivities.
The Old Town will celebrate Kuadrila Eguna (Groups’ Day) with a cooking competition, a communal meal, performances by Kantari, and musical entertainment provided by Sakatu Elektrotxaranga. Additionally, Ezkurdi Jai Alai will host the finals of the 22nd Cesta Punta Championship and the Basque Pelota Marathon, and the day will conclude with a special 30th-anniversary concert by the Bogoroditsie choir at the Basilica of Uribarri.
The Euskal Jaiak (Basque Festivals) will conclude on Sunday, June 14, with Sagardo Eguna (Cider Day) at the new Market Square, featuring stalls offering Basque cider and gastronomy, guided tastings led by Mikel Garaizabal, and live music by FUZANK. Furthermore, the Museum of Art and History will host the awards ceremony for the Julene Azpeitia Literary Contest, covering the categories of short stories, poetry, and bertsoak-koplak.
The day’s events will continue with a kalejira (street parade) and traditional dance exhibitions featuring Jaizale Durangaldeko Txistulari Elkartea, Bartolome Ertzila Musika Eskolako Txistulariak, Txoritxu Alai, Tronperri, and Kriskitin Dantza Taldeak, and will conclude with a concert by the Tabira Musika Banda beneath the portico of Andra Mari.
Source: elcorreo
