The party Aste Nagusia
The fiesta Aste Nagusia is the biggest party of the city of Bilbao and offers you a unique chance to learn more about the Basque culture and different traditions. It’s also a great way for Erasmus students to connect or for tourists to befriend locals. But what exactly happens during the festival and what makes it exceptional?
What is it?
This celebration is called “Aste Nagusia” in Basque, which literally translates to “the big week”.
Did you know that it has been voted the most popular fiesta of the whole country?
With 14.000 votes overall, this festival won number one of the list of intangible treasures of Cultural Heritage in 2009. Hence, it received more votes than the St. James’s Trail or the Fallas of Valencia.
When is it?
The festival begins the Saturday following the 15th of August, the Feast of the Assumption. Every year the Aste Nagusia takes place over a span of nine days, which can be seen as ironical as its name hints to a week-long festival.
What is there to see?
During those nine days there will be parades of giants and big-heads and a spectacle called ‘bulls of fire’ happening every day. This tradition can best be described as a man running through town wearing a bull’s mask that is lit up by fireworks and it originally comes from Ecuador and Colombia. Free events such as concerts, theatre plays, the circus and Basque dances take place throughout the city as well. Furthermore, visitors will have the chance to admire traditional Basque sports from the countryside that are called Herri Kirolak. In local stands “txosnas”, everyone can enjoy life music and drinks by the river after a long day of celebrations.
How did it all start?
Have you heard of the department store group el Corte Inglés? This exact company ran a successful competition in 1977 with the theme of “Raising popularity of festivals in Bilbao”. This led to the creation of Aste Nagusia, which has nowadays become a unique festival of high importance in Spain.
Who is Marijaia?
This lady might scare tourists from afar as she is four meters tall and seems to be constantly moving through Bilbao. But the Marijaia is actually the symbol of this celebration and representative of the countryside as she is wearing rural clothing and a headscarf.
In order to start the festival a rocket “Txupin” is launched and shortly afterwards the Marijaia is received by thousands of visitors, which symbolises the official start of Aste Nagusia. During the last day, this figure will traditionally be burnt on the square in front of the theatre Arriaga.
How many people take part?
Usually over one million people join this fiesta and make the most of their summer by celebrating it in Bilbao.
This celebration is called “Aste Nagusia” in Basque, which literally translates to “the big week”.
Did you know that it has been voted the most popular fiesta of the whole country?
With 14.000 votes overall, this festival won number one of the list of intangible treasures of Cultural Heritage in 2009. Hence, it received more votes than the St. James’s Trail or the Fallas of Valencia.
When is it?
The festival begins the Saturday following the 15th of August, the Feast of the Assumption. Every year the Aste Nagusia takes place over a span of nine days, which can be seen as ironical as its name hints to a week-long festival.
What is there to see?
During those nine days there will be parades of giants and big-heads and a spectacle called ‘bulls of fire’ happening every day. This tradition can best be described as a man running through town wearing a bull’s mask that is lit up by fireworks and it originally comes from Ecuador and Colombia. Free events such as concerts, theatre plays, the circus and Basque dances take place throughout the city as well. Furthermore, visitors will have the chance to admire traditional Basque sports from the countryside that are called Herri Kirolak. In local stands “txosnas”, everyone can enjoy life music and drinks by the river after a long day of celebrations.
How did it all start?
Have you heard of the department store group el Corte Inglés? This exact company ran a successful competition in 1977 with the theme of “Raising popularity of festivals in Bilbao”. This led to the creation of Aste Nagusia, which has nowadays become a unique festival of high importance in Spain.
Who is Marijaia?
This lady might scare tourists from afar as she is four meters tall and seems to be constantly moving through Bilbao. But the Marijaia is actually the symbol of this celebration and representative of the countryside as she is wearing rural clothing and a headscarf.
In order to start the festival a rocket “Txupin” is launched and shortly afterwards the Marijaia is received by thousands of visitors, which symbolises the official start of Aste Nagusia. During the last day, this figure will traditionally be burnt on the square in front of the theatre Arriaga.
How many people take part?
Usually over one million people join this fiesta and make the most of their summer by celebrating it in Bilbao.
Will you join them this year?