The Santio Festivals in Amasa-Villabona have kicked off with a great atmosphere in the Errebote square, which was packed with people. This year, the firecracker was launched by Seaska Haur Eskola and Besamotza Konpartsak, recognizing 50 years of work in childcare and education and for enlivening Villabona's streets over the last decade, respectively. The Haurreskola coordinator expressed great "honor and pride" in launching the firecracker, and Besamotza Konpartsak also launched it with pride, celebrating its first official decade.
Following the firecracker, residents immersed themselves in the festive spirit, dancing to the tunes of the Iraunkorrak txaranga (band) and participating in the parade of giants and 'cabezudos' (big-heads). Besamotza Konpartsak emphasizes that their main goal is for people to have a good time, and they achieve this by enlivening the streets with dance, music, and 'cabezudos'.
Tomorrow, Santio Eguna (Saint James' Day) will be celebrated from early morning with the 'diana' (morning music) by the Loatzo Musika Eskola Txistu Taldea and the 'kantujira' (singing procession) Santiotan Kantari. Afterwards, the XLIV. children's Herri Krosa (popular race) will be held, followed by a race for adults. At midday, the Loatzo Musika Eskola band will give a concert, and the Oinkari dance group will perform the Soka Dantza, before the award ceremony for the competitions.
In the afternoon, there will be a tasting of cider and pintxos to regain strength, followed by a 'romeria' (traditional festival music) by the trikitilaris (Basque folk musicians) Garixe eta Txibilter. In the evening, a 'bertsolari' (improvised Basque poetry singer) session will take place in Txermin, and at midnight, the 'romeria' by trikitilaris Gari eta Iñaki will begin. This will be followed by the traditional Larrain Dantza folk dance and the 'romeria' by the group Ostarte, concluding the day.
On Sunday, Santana day, 'comparsas' (groups), rural sports, chess, music, and a desire to continue having fun will be the main attractions.
