The town of Amurrio is gearing up for an eventful weekend. On the eve of the first Vermuteke, designed to highlight the municipality's historic distilleries this Sunday, one of the most anticipated events for Basque folklore enthusiasts arrives: the Euskal Jaia. Held since 2014, this year marks thirteen years since its inception, excluding the editions paused by the pandemic.
In its early years, the event featured a recreation of an Euskal Eskontza (Basque wedding), involving many residents. Subsequent editions have focused on traditional Basque dances and music, led by the local association Aiara Dantza Taldea, and featuring distinguished guests such as Kukai, Tio Teronen Semeak, Lau Esku, Josu Sánchez, the romería group Beranduegi, the Navarrese group Duguna, the trio Sarrabete and Luhartz, and the school of indigenous Basque instruments Fita-Fik.
This year's festivities will also include numerous activities. The program kicks off this Thursday at 7:30 PM with a 'kantukada' led by Otxote Ugarte, which will liven up the pintxo pote from Frontón street. However, the main day of activities will be Saturday, May 23rd, featuring an intensive schedule lasting nearly 14 hours.
Local producers will be the first to showcase their goods at the market held in the Elexondo promenade from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The initial street entertainment will be provided by the giants Mariaka and Marigabon, guided by Orduña's Bihotza Konpartsa, accompanied by the local txistulari association Amurrioko Txistuzaleak Elkartea, starting at 11:30 AM.
Members of Aiara Dantza Taldea will then take the stage with a Basque dance performance, scheduled for 12:30 PM in the Town Hall square, followed by a vibrant parade through the town center. At 3:00 PM, the procession will lead to the park for the traditional communal meal (registration is now closed).
After the meal, the entertainment continues with a musical bingo organized by the Dantza Lagunak group and a mus tournament at Txokogorri. Meanwhile, children can enjoy traditional wooden games provided by Kalaka near the Guk sculpture.
The opportunity to keep dancing begins at 5:00 PM with music from Patxi eta konpainia and the romería of Musutruk. During the latter's intermission, Jonkass will perform a concert, rounding off the day. As every year, the organization, which will raffle an 'euskal jantzi' (Basque traditional costume) valued at 200 euros, encourages attendees to come dressed in 'baserritarra' attire.
Furthermore, the local development agency Amurrio Bidean is launching a new campaign this Thursday to further boost local commerce through the Amurrio Berrikusi App. To celebrate the app's second anniversary, a 2,000 euro shopping voucher will be raffled among those who upload their purchase receipts to the App by June 21st.
For every 20 euros accumulated, participants will receive one entry into the draw, scheduled for June 23rd. The winner of the voucher must spend it on July 4th at establishments participating in the campaign.
Through this initiative, Amurrio Bidean reinforces its commitment to revitalizing urban commerce by encouraging local shopping and rewarding customer loyalty. The organization urges all citizens to participate in the campaign and continue supporting local businesses as the economic and social engine of Amurrio.
