The approaching summer brings activity to the town of Tolosa, as evidenced by the extensive program prepared for this weekend. Following the confirmation that spring is ending with the Flower and Plant Fair, the White Wine Fair will serve as a small prelude to the upcoming presanjuanes celebrations next week. Organized by the gastronomic society Gure Txokoa, the event reaches its eighth edition, transforming the Triángulo into a wine cellar featuring exquisite wines from Galicia, Castilla y León, Aragón, La Rioja, Álava, and Gipuzkoa.
A total of sixteen wineries and nineteen white wines will be available for tasting from 11:30 AM for 6 euros. Accompanying these will be pintxos prepared by bars Fronton, Xare, and 19-90, as well as by Gure Txokoa itself, for 1.50 euros each.
However, this established special fair will be complemented by a debutante: Itsaski, the seafood fair. It will commence at 9:00 AM with eight stalls dedicated to preserves, crafts, and products related to the sea.
The decision by the Tolosa City Council to host a new gastronomic fair, following the precedent set by fairs for meat, mushrooms, dairy products, and Tolosa beans, stems from the absence of an event exclusively dedicated to seafood and fish, which aligns with the town's tradition. 'We've been considering this idea for the past few years and have finally managed to organize it. As seafood pairs very well with white wines, we thought it would be ideal to hold it alongside the White Wine Special Fair,' assures Aitor Agirresarobe, the Councilor for Fairs. The reception of this first edition will be crucial in determining its continuity in the coming years.
For this inaugural edition of Itsaski, there will be eight stalls: Anchoas Royo (Bermeo), specializing in anchovy and tuna preserves; Gureik (Bilbao), offering Arroyabe brand preserves and its own pintxos; and Urdaibai Kontserbak (Bermeo), with gildas and various fish preserves. There will also be organic txakoli from Urkizahar (Beizama) and Rioja Designation of Origin white wine from Bodegas J. Ramírez (San Vicente de la Sonsierra). Two craft stalls will also be present: one dedicated to jewelry inspired by the marine nature of Euskadi, by Estibaliz Yuguero (Galdakao), and Kosta Itsas Egurrak (Oiartzun), which creates objects from wood collected from the sea. The lineup will be completed by Itxasloo Portu (Portugalete), showcasing fishing attire and Basque accessories.
It is worth noting that the Saturday market, usually located in Euskal Herria square, will be relocated to San Francisco promenade throughout June.
The rest of the weekend will be marked by a strong musical presence. On Friday night at 10:00 PM, Bonberenea will host a concert by Tiger Menja Zebra, a Catalan experimental electronic group. Based on a strict creation statute, former members of Camping DJ, Dražen Petrović, DARAL, and Eduard Novoa, along with brothers Tavo and Pablo García, will present 'Admirables', their latest work. It promises to be a unique experience, as the group adheres to a directive to eliminate all samples once they begin a new production.
On Saturday, those preferring alternatives to the events in the Triángulo can attend the new edition of Sormenetik, organized by Galtzaundi. At the Tinglado pier, they will hold their first talk, moderated by journalist Alexander Padilla. The speakers, in Basque, will be local influencers Luma Otaño, Iraia Cambra, and Julen Unanue. For those seeking laughter, Salva Reina will perform his monologue 'Prohibido echarle cacahuetes al mono' in the nearly full Leidor theater. Reina himself, as he recently stated in an interview with this newspaper, embodies the 'monkey' in his most histrionic version. Besides reviewing current events and sharing anecdotes, there will be room for improvisation through audience interaction. To join the collective laughter, attendees should go to the box office or purchase tickets online by 8:00 PM.
The day will conclude with a concert by Los Premodernos, a rock 'n' roll band from Donostia led by Xabi Manosucia. Currently on tour for their latest album 'En las puertas de la Arcadia', they will present their songs at Bonberenea starting at 10:00 PM. Adhering to the aesthetic of 1950s music can be seen as counter-culture, a perspective embraced by the band members. They use their concerts to diverge from the mainstream, challenging individuals to follow prevailing dogmas and to transmit their worldview. Ten years of trajectory attest to their commitment.
On Sunday, music will continue from 11:00 AM. Firstly, the Santa María Music Chapel will perform its sacred repertoire in the Santa María church for Corpus Christi. They will interpret pieces by Felipe Gorriti and Eduardo and Ignacio Mocoroa, under the direction of Luis Orduña and with the accompaniment of the resident string and wind orchestra, featuring organist Myriam Ulanga from Andoain. The program during the mass includes: 'Misa en Fa' (Gorriti), 'Tantum ergo' (E. Mocoroa), and 'Tu es sacerdos' (I. Mocoroa). During the procession and at the four altars, they will sing Eucharistic motets composed by Felipe Gorriti for this celebration. At the same time, Tolosako Ingurumen Zentroa (Tolosa Environmental Center) will offer a guided tour of Elosegui Park and its arboreal collection, meeting at the entrance of the Beotibar fronton.
Continuing with music, at 12:00 PM in the Topic, the Maiatzeko Doinuak cycle will conclude with the quintet Hego Haizeak, performing pieces by P. Taffanel and C. Nielsen. Meanwhile, the Leidor theater will present the musical 'La Cenicienta' at 12:30 PM. Later, at 6:30 PM, Filhos de Norris will perform at 3 taberna with their blend of bossa and funk. The main event on Sunday will be the Euskal Duatloia at 5:30 PM, with tickets priced at 25 euros at the bullring box office, free for those under 17 upon age verification. The eleven participating aizkolaris (wood choppers) must cut a 45-inch horizontal log, another vertical log of the same size, and run 500 meters, repeating this four times. The participant with the best time will be the winner. Thus, it promises to be a very complete weekend in Tolosa.
