Lastur has begun the countdown to its San Nicolás festivals. Tomorrow, September 10, the patron saint's day will mark the start of the neighborhood's festivities, which will continue until Sunday, September 13, immersing attendees in a festive atmosphere. This year, a four-day program has been prepared with the usual elements, including various events: pelota matches, bullfights, pottokas (Basque ponies), bowling tournaments, dances, games, rural sports, and bertsolaris, among others.
On Thursday, September 10, San Nicolás Day will be celebrated. The day will begin with a mass at 11:00 AM, followed by a 'hamaiketako' (mid-morning snack) enlivened by bertsolaris Sebastian Lizaso and Aitor Mendiluze, and trikitilaris Ion Ansorregi and Andoni Larrañaga. At 2:00 PM, a lunch will be served at the local bar. In the afternoon, from 5:30 PM onwards, there will be games for young people and bulls from the Saka ranch in the square.
Friday, September 11, will be the Second Day of San Nicolás, with children as the main protagonists. In the morning, there will be mass and a hamaiketako, followed by children's pelota matches at 11:00 AM and lunch at 2:00 PM. In the afternoon, at 5:30 PM, a children's bicycle race will be held for the first time in the meadow, along with games. The Gailur equestrian center will give an exhibition, and the atmosphere will be enhanced by trikitilaris Elaia and Jare, as well as giants and cabezudos. Afterwards, there will be small bulls and ponies for those over 8 years old, in collaboration with the Saka ranch.
In the evening, starting at 9:00 PM, a bertsolari dinner will take place featuring Nerea Elustondo and Andoni Egaña, with Unai Izagirre as the presenter and trikitilaris Enaitz Alberdi and Julen Rueda Erkizi providing musical accompaniment. The organizers have announced that there will only be one bertsolari dinner this year. Tickets can be purchased at the Lastur bar and at Gure Denda and Burugorri in Itziar for 28 euros.
On Saturday, September 12, the Couples' Day will be celebrated. In the morning, there will be pelota matches and a bowling tournament for couples, followed by lunch at 2:00 PM. In the afternoon, there will be games for couples, bulls from the Albara ranch, and a performance by the Andutz dance group. Throughout the day, trikitilaris Maialen Larrañaga and Ane Txapartegi will liven up the atmosphere, and in the evening, a Kantu Afaria (singing dinner) will be held with Beñat and Ugaitz.
On Sunday, September 13, the festivals will conclude with Intxorpe Day. In the morning, there will be mass and a hamaiketako. At 11:30 AM, the final of the Individual Pala Championship will be played in the fronton, accompanied by bertsolaris Unai Izagirre and Oier Etxeberria. This year, instead of the usual pelota match, a pala championship has been organized. Following this, the Indoiturri Saria bowling tournament will take place, enlivened by bertsolaris and trikitilaris.
Throughout the day, Jon Ostolaza and Rakel Pujana will entertain the square. At 2:00 PM, lunch will be served, and at 5:00 PM, there will be a rural sports exhibition featuring stone lifters Haritz Aranguren, Jon Marijuan, Sara Jimenez de Aberasturi, and Lucia Orbe, and wood choppers Mikel Agirre and Manex Izagirre. Afterwards, there will be a second session of bertsolaris and the traditional 'aurresku' dance performed by local youth. To conclude the festivities, there will be clowns and bulls from the Saka ranch.
As is customary, tickets for a raffle will be sold. On Intxorpe Day, after the afternoon festival, a raffle will be held for a cart filled with products from local farmhouses.
