The town festivals in Debagoiena often begin with the chupinazo (inaugural rocket) or the descent. However, throughout the festivities, music enlivens the days, becoming an essential element in parades, concerts, and in bars and stalls. Popular music also has its place, and songs created specifically for these festivals, which brighten special moments, are increasingly common. They can be created by the citizens themselves, and these are what Puntua magazine has gathered.
In Bergara, melodies created by father and son hold significance. Musicians Miguel Gonzalez Bastida and Alfredo Gonzalez Chirlaque, heirs of a family connected to music, have been the authors who have composed the most tunes for the festivals. Gonzalez Bastida created "Pobres y alegres" (1950s) for the Bitorianatxo descent, Nagasaki 1597 (1963), and estampas for the San Martín festivals. Gonzalez Chirlaque, on the other hand, composed tunes for the Sanmartiñes tamborrada and the anthem of Bergara (1994).
Gonzalez Chirlaque considers Bergara to possess an "incredible treasure" regarding popular music. He explains that the song "Pobres y alegres" is ideal for starting the festivities, being simple, beautiful, and easy to remember.
In Elgeta, the Elgeta anthem (1993), created by Gonzalez Chirlaque himself, is sung during the monthly song gatherings and at the festivals. Members of the "Alaiak" singing workshop will perform it during the tamborrada.
In Eskoriatzan, the anthem created by Juan Carlos Irizar and Jose Aranburuzabala Trankil (1988) is played by the Municipal Band after the chupinazo. Members of the "Alaiak" singing workshop will sing it during the tamborrada.
In Arrasate, the tune for the San Juan festivities is the Errementari dantza (1993), composed by Jose Ramon Vitoria, with lyrics by Jon Iñaki Izarzelaia. For the Santamases, the Txerri dantza (1991) is also theirs. Izarzelaia explains that he used "the dragon, fire, and those elements to ignite the festival" in the lyrics of Errementari dantza, as "Arrasate is a town linked to iron."
In Antzuola, the Alarde features a new march created by musician Ion Gurutz Biteri. Additionally, Alfredo Gonzalez Chirlaque composed a march for the moment when King Mairu appeared and the Alarde's song itself.
In Oñati, five special pieces created by father and son Antonino and Inazio Ibarrondo are played during the San Miguel festival tamborradas. Among them, "Desperta juventud," "Desde Udana a Zubillaga," and "Mirentxu jota" are by Antonino, and "Larraingain" and "Pedro Mari" are by Inazio.
In Aramaio's Sanmartiñes festivities, after 50 years, the tamborrada will be revived. As a special feature, students from the local school's third cycle have adapted the lyrics of the San Sebastian march, and members of the "Alaiak" singing workshop will perform it.
In this context, several musicians and composers have stood out in Debagoiena, such as Juan Carlos Irizar (1951-2021), Jose Ramon Vitoria (Arrasate, 1961), the father-son duo Miguel Gonzalez Bastida (Bergara, 1920-2013) and Alfredo Gonzalez Chirlaque (Bergara, 1956), and the father-son duo Antonino Ibarrondo (Oñati, 1914-1985) and Iñaxio Ibarrondo (Oñati, 1942).
