Festivities in Lekeitio

This note was published at EiTB:

San Pedro festival, Lekeitio

Euskadi.net

Festivities kick off on Sunday 28th June until Wednesday 1st July and will include Basque dancing, traditional music and extra activities such as pelota.

Kaxarranka, Kilin-Kala and Aurresku de Mujeres are traditional Basque dances well-known among the Basques. San Pedro's festivity is the most important day in June. It is celebrated on the 29th and starts with the High Mass followed by San Pedro's procession, which leaves from the church of Santa María and proceeds along the streets as far as the harbour. It is here where an unusual ceremony known as Kilin-Kala is held. The procession members bear a statue of the Saint that they bend over the water. The ritual is thought to be favourable for fishing. The local street band accompanies the bearers.

Next, "dantzaris" (typical Basque dancers) perform the celebrated Kaxarranka. A man dances on a large chest or "kutxa" carried on eight fishermen's shoulders. The performance involves three parts: a "Zortziko", a "Fandango" and an "Arin-Arin". The dancing takes place first in the port, under the image of San Pedro. Then people walk down the streets of the town passing by the house of the current fishermen guild president, the main square and the Town Hall accompanied by the sound of the "txistu" (Basque flute), the tabor and the kettledrum.

At noon, classic Aurresku de Mujeres (women's aurresku) takes place in the town's main square. In the evening, the popular "tamborrada" (drums parade) marches down the streets.

Next day is the turn of "San Pedro Txiki". Musical performances are to be found aplenty. The local street band will offer a show under the image of San Pedro followed by an open-air dance at night in Tala - near the breakwater. At 11pm the local street band will set out on a short trip from Tala to the Town Hall stairs.

On 1st July an open-air dance is scheduled to take place between Tortola and Beheko Kale Streets before the image of the Saint.

More activities have been arranged for the occasion, such as children's workshops, cesta punta and pelota mano pelota games, and hot chocolate tasting.

Lekeitio is a great spot to spend your holidays, don't miss it if you ever get a chance.

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