The streets of Errenteria were filled with emotion yesterday afternoon as the Madalenas festival officially commenced. Thousands of people, including families, groups of friends, and couples, gathered in the town hall square and surrounding areas to enjoy this special opening. Balconies were also packed, and the Alameda and Gernika squares buzzed with an excellent atmosphere.
Inside the town hall's main hall, Luis María Moreno 'Pirata', responsible for launching the txupinazo, experienced a mix of emotion and nervousness. From there, he could see his colleagues from the Errenteria Band on the church steps. After his heartfelt speech, the rocket ascended into the sky. Immediately after the explosion, led by Band director Aitor Mitxelena, the anthem 'El Centenario' was played, filling the square and nearby streets with its sound. The 'Txunpa Txunpa Txunpa' created a wonderful moment for everyone present.
While the square erupted in joy, the atmosphere on the town hall balcony was more relaxed. 'Pirata', along with mayor Aizpea Otaegi and other council members, enjoyed the moment. Otaegi highlighted their hope that the festivities would continue with the same joy with which they began.
Once the music concluded, the crowd gradually began to disperse. Afterwards, the Band's musicians headed to the Sagrado Corazón residence to offer a pleasant moment to the town's elderly residents. There, families joined them, but also to demand a solution for the situation of the elderly, which they described as 'unsustainable' after nine months of strike.
In addition to the afternoon's emotions, the atmosphere had already heated up at midday with the Popular Meal held in the Town Hall Square. This year's program also includes various events, such as Herri Kirolak (Basque rural sports), the Errenteria Band's concert with giants and big-heads, and in the afternoon, the Tamborrada and pelota finals.
