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Virgen Blanca Festivities
On August 4 thousands will gather at the plaza de la Virgen Blanca Square in order to enjoy the beginning of the most important fiestas of Alava's capital. The descent of Celedon, popular and emblematic figure of the city, takes place at 6pm. Besides, on August 7 children will have the chance to see the descent of Celedón Txiki, a smaller Celedón, which celebrates in 2008 its 25th anniversary and for this reason, and aiming to promote equal opportunities between genres, will go down for the first time ever together with Neska Txiki, a little girl. It is also worth mentioning that although the fiestas do not begin officially until August 4, there are several activities -within the so-called "prefiestas" - from August 1 on. Besides, the conductor Inma Shara will make the opening speech on August 2.
Without doubt, the wide music offer is one of the main attractions of Vitoria-Gasteiz fiestas. This year Ruper Ordorika (Aug. 4), Chenoa (Aug. 5), La Quinta Estación (Aug. 6), Rosendo and Barricada (Aug. 7), Ken Zazpi (Aug. 8), Mikel Urdangarin (Aug. 5) and The Uski's (Aug. 6) are the remarkable bands to perform. Moreover, trikitixa (Basque ensemble made up of alboka, txistus...), music bands and the most popular bertsolaris -singers of musical verses in Basque tradition- will liven up the festivities.
Theatre is another high point. Apart from the itinerant show on the streets, popular plays such as Buscando a Hillary, Miles Gloriosus or Salir del armario. are remarkable. Sports will not be missing in Vitoria-Gasteiz. Herri kirolak (rural sports) and Basque pelota contests (for amateurs and professionals) are included in the planning.
Some of the most important bullfighters at the moment will also visit Alava's capital: Cayetano Ribera, Julián López "El Juli", José María Manzanares or Enrique Ponce, among others.
Fireworks and a gastronomy and handicraft fair at Plaza del General Loma Square complete the programme. The little ones will also find their space to enjoy with giants and cabezudos -carnival figures with a large head-, theatre plays for children and many contests.
Without doubt, the wide music offer is one of the main attractions of Vitoria-Gasteiz fiestas. This year Ruper Ordorika (Aug. 4), Chenoa (Aug. 5), La Quinta Estación (Aug. 6), Rosendo and Barricada (Aug. 7), Ken Zazpi (Aug. 8), Mikel Urdangarin (Aug. 5) and The Uski's (Aug. 6) are the remarkable bands to perform. Moreover, trikitixa (Basque ensemble made up of alboka, txistus...), music bands and the most popular bertsolaris -singers of musical verses in Basque tradition- will liven up the festivities.
Theatre is another high point. Apart from the itinerant show on the streets, popular plays such as Buscando a Hillary, Miles Gloriosus or Salir del armario. are remarkable. Sports will not be missing in Vitoria-Gasteiz. Herri kirolak (rural sports) and Basque pelota contests (for amateurs and professionals) are included in the planning.
Some of the most important bullfighters at the moment will also visit Alava's capital: Cayetano Ribera, Julián López "El Juli", José María Manzanares or Enrique Ponce, among others.
Fireworks and a gastronomy and handicraft fair at Plaza del General Loma Square complete the programme. The little ones will also find their space to enjoy with giants and cabezudos -carnival figures with a large head-, theatre plays for children and many contests.
GASTRONOMY
Fruiz's Agriculture and Livestock Fair FRUIZ -
BIZKAIA
The Fruiz Town Council organises again the Fruiz's Agriculture and Livestock Fair, which this year celebrates its 9th edition. This is a good opportunity to visit and get to know this quiet town located in the Uribe Butroe region.
Farmers from the whole region collaborate in the fair, whose most highlighting events are, on the one hand, an exhibition of the best oxen and calves in the region, and on the other hand, an exhibition and sale of top-quality agricultural products, such as vegetables, cold meat, sweets and fruit.
It was organised again in year 2000 following a 10-year halt. Ranchers and farmers from all over the region started gathering again to display their autochthonous products and animals. The fair will take place from 10am on at the car park located next to Fruiz's football field.
Farmers from the whole region collaborate in the fair, whose most highlighting events are, on the one hand, an exhibition of the best oxen and calves in the region, and on the other hand, an exhibition and sale of top-quality agricultural products, such as vegetables, cold meat, sweets and fruit.
It was organised again in year 2000 following a 10-year halt. Ranchers and farmers from all over the region started gathering again to display their autochthonous products and animals. The fair will take place from 10am on at the car park located next to Fruiz's football field.
ART & CULTURE
Araia's Comedy Theatre Festival ASPARRENA -
ALAVA
For fifteen years the Araia's Comedy Theatre Festival makes the audience laugh out loud. For this year's festival Araia has scheduled more than twelve shows, performed by different troupes such as La Trova, Senmaru & Shushen, Trukitrek, Capa y Espasa and Trapu Zaharra, among others. On the other hand, the famous Spanish comedian Millán Salcedo, who used to be a member of the comedy duo Martes y Trece, will put an end to the festival on August 17 with his play Yo me subí a un piano verde (I got on a green piano). The main venue for the events is the Arrazpi sports center, although some of the performances will take place at the Herriko Plaza Square. Furthermore, some magic tricks will be done as a preamble to the Vitoria-Gasteiz Magic Festival.
During the festival more than 30 travelling performances will go over different towns in Alava, such as Amurrio, Artziniega, Alegría-Dulantzi, Elciego, Santa Cruz de Campezo, Labastida, Laguardia, Laudio, Maeztu, Murgia, Nanclares de la Oca, Rivabellosa or Valdegovía.
The Araia's Comedy Theatre Festival was created in 1994 promoted by the troupes Porpol and Araia. In these years it has become one of the most important theatre festivals in Alava.
During the festival more than 30 travelling performances will go over different towns in Alava, such as Amurrio, Artziniega, Alegría-Dulantzi, Elciego, Santa Cruz de Campezo, Labastida, Laguardia, Laudio, Maeztu, Murgia, Nanclares de la Oca, Rivabellosa or Valdegovía.
The Araia's Comedy Theatre Festival was created in 1994 promoted by the troupes Porpol and Araia. In these years it has become one of the most important theatre festivals in Alava.
NATURE
Plaiaundi Ecological Park (IRUN
- GIPUZKOA)
The Plaiaundi Ecological Park is located in the area between Bidasoa River and the irrigation channel of Jaizubia, in a setting with views to the Txingudi Bay, in full contact with the urban area of Irun.
Nowadays, Plaiaundi is an internationally recognised area of significant naturalistic value. It is integrated into the "Txingudi" Special Protection Area for Birds (ZEPA) and the "Txingudi-Bidasoa" Site of Community Interest (SCI), having been proposed both spaces for integrating the European Network of Protected Areas called Natura 2000. Moreover, this space forms part of the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance.
The park covers a surface of 24 ha. It has two inland ponds that are connected to the tidal rhythm through a sluicegate system, an intertidal beach and a freshwater pond.
The interpretation centre is located at the entrance of the park, where guided group visits are organised. If you want to visit the park on your own, there are 17 explanatory panels distributed along the 2-km route. Besides, Plaiaundi offers several spaces for bird watching.
Remarks
Guided visits to Plaiundi and the wetlands of Jaizubia (Hondarribia) for groups and individuals by appointment at Txingudi Ekoetxea Interpretation Centre.
Nowadays, Plaiaundi is an internationally recognised area of significant naturalistic value. It is integrated into the "Txingudi" Special Protection Area for Birds (ZEPA) and the "Txingudi-Bidasoa" Site of Community Interest (SCI), having been proposed both spaces for integrating the European Network of Protected Areas called Natura 2000. Moreover, this space forms part of the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance.
The park covers a surface of 24 ha. It has two inland ponds that are connected to the tidal rhythm through a sluicegate system, an intertidal beach and a freshwater pond.
The interpretation centre is located at the entrance of the park, where guided group visits are organised. If you want to visit the park on your own, there are 17 explanatory panels distributed along the 2-km route. Besides, Plaiaundi offers several spaces for bird watching.
Remarks
Guided visits to Plaiundi and the wetlands of Jaizubia (Hondarribia) for groups and individuals by appointment at Txingudi Ekoetxea Interpretation Centre.
Islands Route (BAKIO; BERMEO; BILBAO; EA ; ELANTXOBE; GATIKA; GAUTEGIZ ARTEAGA; GORLIZ; GETXO; GERNIKA-LUMO; LEMOIZ; MUNDAKA; MUNGIA; PLENTZIA; PORTUGALETE; SANTURTZI; SOPELANA; KORTEZUBI
- BIZKAIA)
Three little islands, Billano (in Gorliz), Aketze (next to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe) and Izaro (in front of the mouth of Gernika Estuary) lead us along this route that combines beaches, history and nature.
