The program for this year's Basque Festivities in Lasarte-Oria has been presented, building on the success of last year's edition and organized by Ttakun Kultur Elkartea and the City Council. The main celebration will be on September 26th, starting at 09:30 in the morning and lasting until 01:00 AM.
Music will have a greater prominence this year, with five activities scheduled: the txistulari players' diana, the performance by the choir Alboka and subsequent kantu-jira, Andoni Ollokiegiren's post-lunch session, a street parade, a dance performance, the musical poteo by the txaranga Oaintxe in deu!, and a double concert in the evening. Responding to youth requests, two groups will perform: first, the group Antiguoko Herenegun, and then the local romeria group Auskalo.
Due to the warm reception of the previous edition, the Fair of Basque Women Creators and Producers will be held again. Artists from the Dinagu Kolektiboa will gather in Okendo square during the morning. In addition to the fair, the town's communal meal will also be repeated, although this year there will be no ziro-jan and a special children's menu will be offered. Tickets will go on sale in early September. Adults will pay 25 euros, while children will pay 15 euros.
Among this year's novelties, the Igo Euskal Jaiak Mixed Test will take place between groups (cuadrillas). Those wishing to participate should send an email to kultura@lasarte-oria.eus to register. Furthermore, the Okerra stone competition will also be held, instead of last year's exhibition. The aim is to highlight this stone, a symbol of the Lasarte-Oria Basque Festivities, as stated by Estitxu Alkorta, head of the Euskera department.
Finally, a local agent will be honored for the first time. This recognition will be given to an association, individual, or agent who has stood out for promoting the Basque language, considering the celebration of the Euskera Marathon. Mayor Agustin Valdivia has announced that the award recipient will receive a replica of the Okerra stone made by the Zurmailu Zurlanketa Elkartea association.
To develop the program, collaboration has been established with various local agents. As highlighted by Mari Karmen Ormazabal, representative of Ttakun K.E., teamwork was one of the keys to last year's success. Participants will include the Lasarte-Oria Txistulari Group, txalapartaris, the Alboka Choir, Zero Sette, Zabaleta Auzolan, Earra Bertso-Eskola, Oiarte, Ostadar, LOZET, Zurmailu, Tirriki Tarraka, the Erketz Basque Dance Group, the group Plazadantza, Kukuka, the txaranga Oiantxe in deu!, and the Auskalo Group.
