The San Roque festivals, eagerly awaited by the residents of Deba throughout the year, have arrived. On August 14th, the squares were filled with music and dance, livening up the town's streets.
Following tradition, at 6:00 PM on Friday, bell ringing began throughout the town. After placing the red scarf on San Roque and launching the chupinazo, the official start of the festivities was given.
This year, the rocket was lit by Juan Carlos Sillero, who joined the Amaika Bat association about 36 years ago. Sillero carries out maintenance work within the association and was one of the founders of the Bordatxo Eskubaloi Taldea (Handball Club) and the athletics school. He explained that the idea of launching the chupinazo «caught him by surprise», adding, «I didn't expect it, but I am very moved and grateful for the support the association has received from the town».
After the chupinazo, the txistularis, the pipers from Lizarra, giants, and cabezudos paraded through the streets of Deba in a musical and dancing procession, with the townspeople following them. Meanwhile, the Municipal Corporation set off from the town hall, led by the Alkate Soinu group.
Upon arriving at Plaza Zaharra at 7:30 PM, the dance group Gure-Kai performed a reverence and the ezpata-dantza (sword dance) in the Andra Mari church. After this event, the choir Aitzuri Abesbatza sang Hilarion Eslava's Salve.
In the evening, the festivities continued. At 10:30 PM, the Ozio-Bide association organized a drum parade (danborrada), and at 1:00 AM, the Olgetan romería (folk festival) enlivened the atmosphere in the Zamurdi tent.
