From morning till evening, the atmosphere was excellent at this year's Ibilaldia, organized by Kirikiño Ikastola. The festival of Bizkaia's ikastolas brought together thousands of people in Bilbao, spread across three main zones: Kirikiño Ikastola itself, Europa Park, and the Txurdinaga sports center. Families, young people, and the elderly enjoyed the day dedicated to the Basque language, in an exceptional atmosphere created by music, dance, games, and cultural events.

The official photo was taken at 09:50 AM, followed by the opening ceremony. There was constant activity in the two areas of Kirikiño Ikastola, featuring performances by the Gaztedi dance group, the magician Tor, the Kirikiño children's choir, and the group Go!azen in front of numerous spectators. Europa Park also buzzed with activity, with performances by the Kirikiño dance group, and the Gora Musika and Zuzterrak dance ensembles drawing large crowds, with the Europa Park dance show being particularly applauded for its significant audience.

Meanwhile, at the Txurdinaga sports center, the fanfarrias Salbatzaile, Samasiku, and the groups Punttu Kakotx took center stage. Throughout the day, a variety of activities were available for all ages, including football matches, cycling competitions organized by Euskaltel, street bands, children's games, and other participatory dynamics. The festival for the Basque language once again combined a family atmosphere with active participation.

Many attendees highlighted the social value of the festival and its contribution to the Basque language. Purru De la Torre, Manu Aurrekoetxea, Zaloa Aldatz, Imanol Igeregi, and Katalin Larrea mentioned they had traveled to Bilbao from various parts of Bizkaia to spend the day. In their words, Ibilaldia is "an accumulation of strength," "a grand festival of the ikastolas," based on community and collective work. They emphasized that ikastolas are not merely spaces for Basque language transmission but also platforms for civic action and social commitment.

Members of the Zuzterrak dance group, who performed in the afternoon at Europa Park, reminded attendees that such events support the Basque language, but continuous effort throughout the year is necessary. They stated that Ibilaldia is a recognition and celebration of the ikastolas, and they highlighted the excellent atmosphere. A group of friends from Algorta, Erandio, and Romo explained it was a "day of solidarity" and they found a "great atmosphere" in Bilbao. Galder Olano and Mikel Atxe, on the other hand, emphasized the family-friendly nature of the festival, noting the wide range of activities for children and a pleasant environment for families.

One of the strengths of this year's Ibilaldia was, once again, the balance between the different zones. While Kirikiño Ikastola's courtyards focused on culture and shows, Europa Park combined music and dance, and the Txurdinaga sports center hosted concerts and a lively street atmosphere. All three locations saw numerous visitors throughout the morning, meeting the organizers' expectations. Participants moved continuously between the zones to enjoy the extensive program, creating significant movement along the route, and these neighborhoods of Txurdinaga became the epicenter of the Basque language and ikastola festival today.

From the early hours of the morning, the true strength of Ibilaldia was evident: hearing and using the Basque language in the streets. Families, students, teachers, and the entire ikastola community had the opportunity to live and celebrate in Basque all day long. Combining music, dance, sports, and leisure, the 2026 Ibilaldia once again demonstrated that the ikastolas' festival continues to be a benchmark in Bizkaia. By midday, the atmosphere observed in the three zones clearly showed that the Basque language and the community still possess a great capacity for unity.