The municipality of Arano will celebrate its annual San Roke festivities this Sunday, marked by the participation of numerous txistularis from Hernani and surrounding areas. This year, a special tribute will be paid to the renowned txistulari Boni Agirresarobe Aramendi for his many years of collaboration and involvement in the festival.
The day's events will kick off at 10:00 AM in the Town Square (Herriko Plaza) with a gathering of txistularis performing various musical pieces. Shortly after, the musicians will proceed to the hermitage of San Roke to play as attendees arrive for the mass.
The mass in honor of the Saint will take place at 11:00 AM at the hermitage. Following the mass, around 11:45 AM, a 'pikoteo-amaiketako' (light refreshment) will be served next to the hermitage, accompanied by the txistularis. The tribute to Boni Agirresarobe is scheduled for 12:30 PM, after which a 'kalejira' (street procession) will wind through the town.
Around 2:00 PM, the txistularis will bid farewell in the Town Square with the traditional 'Agur Jaunak eta Andreak', and at 2:15 PM, a communal meal will be held at the San Roke Association (San Roke Elkartea).
This year, in addition to txistularis from Hernani, participants from Goizueta, Leitza, Getaria, Pasaia, Areso, and Berastegi are expected. The hermitage, dedicated to Saint Roch, is anticipated to be crowded, as is customary, with attendees from neighboring towns.
The tradition of txistu music at Arano dates back to when the esteemed Hernani txistularis Antsorena and Zubillaga would walk from Hernani to liven up the festivities. After a period without this musical presence, txistulari Antonio Intxausti 'Txobito' revived the custom in 1970, with the support of Joxan Ruiz. Since then, the number of participating txistularis has grown each year.
The San Roke festivities are not exclusive to Arano. Astigarraga, at Santiagomendi, and Andoain, in the Buruntza neighborhood, are also celebrating the occasion with various activities. Astigarraga's festivities on August 16th will include a mass, performances by dantzaris and txistularis, a communal meal, and a concert. In Andoain, events will take place at the Gaztañaga cider house from 9:30 AM to 8:00 PM.
