This year's Mendi Festa will encompass a wide array of events, including a vertical dance show, a book presentation, documentary screenings, a communal meal, and musical performances. Climbing will also be a central highlight, with activities catering to participants of all ages and experience levels.
On Friday, May 22, the vertical dance group Harrobi will perform their show Geure(r)a at the Ederrena fronton at 22:00. The remaining activities will take place on Saturday, May 23, in Gernikako Arbola square. In case of bad weather, events will be relocated to the Ederrena fronton.
Saturday's program includes climbing sessions for school sports children at 9:00, and opportunities for beginners from 11:00 onwards. Games and workshops for children will also be organized, along with a tombola. Experienced climbers will have their turn from 12:30. A communal meal will be held at 14:00.
In the afternoon, at 15:00, there will be a children's cinema screening. Afterwards, at 16:00, Juan Vallejo will present his book (Historias) bajo cero, with the event hosted by Juanjo San Sebastian. At 17:00, Patxi Arozena and Patxi Usobiaga will offer a talk on sport climbing. An intergenerational climbing challenge will take place at 18:30, followed by an evening snack and raffle at 19:30.
The evening program features a concert by Jon Maia and Gorka Hermosa at 20:30. At 21:00, the winner of the Xabier Ormazabal scholarship and their project will be announced, with four proposals submitted this year. Following this, Iker Uranga's documentary Izarren zaunka will be screened at 21:30, and Silvia Vidal's Alaska: un pas mes at 22:00. To conclude, Francis from the band Doctor Deseo will perform a concert at 23:00, accompanied by a guitarist and saxophonist.
“"The mountain festival is special. It has many things to highlight. The people who participate make it a very beloved festival. Xabier's spirit has a physical presence during those almost two days. Many people participate, the interaction between people is close, people of different ages gather… It has values associated with Xabier: the mountain, nature, doing things together, humility, solidarity…"
The organizers have expressed gratitude to the town council and technicians for believing in the project and making a dream a reality. They highlighted that the festival has grown continuously, becoming the scholarship that offers the most funding at a state level. They emphasized the support of numerous sponsors and the participation of over sixty shops from Urretxu and Zumarraga, who have donated products for the tombola. Furthermore, more than sixty people will be working on the festival's organization, and Francis from Doctor Deseo will perform for free, wishing to contribute his part.
