The heatwave has caused an unexpected setback in Aiaraldea: all bonfires scheduled to be lit today for the summer solstice celebration have been cancelled. Yesterday afternoon, numerous local councils and organizations began announcing the suspension of this iconic event. Today, the official ban from the Provincial Council of Álava has been issued, meaning no bonfires will be lit in the Alavese municipalities, and the towns in Biscay belonging to Aiaraldea have also chosen to cancel the initiative.
Despite the cancellation of the bonfires, some activities related to the solstice celebration will proceed. In the San Juan Astobitza festivities in Laudio, for instance, there will be children's water games starting from six in the evening. Later, at 10:00 PM, there will be a dance performance by the group Akelarre, followed by a concert from the duo Errotik.
In Okondo, children's workshops have been organized from 8:30 PM onwards in the San Bartolome square, and in the evening, the group Twin Rooms will provide musical entertainment.
In the Bañueta neighborhood of Amurrio, although the performance by the music school's combo group has been cancelled, the rest of the program will continue: Kalaka wooden games, a chocolate tasting, and a romeria (traditional Basque festival) with the group Gautegun.
In Orozko, there will also be an opportunity to enjoy the evening, as the Heuk Esan romeria will liven up the town starting at 7:30 PM.
In Murga, meanwhile, the afternoon will feature children's games, a circus workshop, and a blood sausage tasting, with DJ Alboka responsible for the evening's ambiance.
