LA MARIJAIA

Marijaia is the symbol of Bilbao's festivities. She was designed in 1978 and she's one of the most popular and beloved characters in Bilbao. They were the first festivities, celebrated after Franco's dead, and organized by the people. Far from the luxury of bullfights and opera concerts, Txomin Barullo Association's project, keeps still alive these festivities known as Aste Nagusia.

For nine days, starting from the first Saturday after the festivity of the patron saint of Bilbao, the Virgin of Begoña (15 August), all the inhabitants of Bilbao take the streets all day and all night long. From the balcony of the Arriaga Theatre, the txupinazo (represented by the clothes hanger) starts the festivities with shouts of:

¡GORA ASTE NAGUSIA¡ ¡GORAAAA!

At night, loads of people stare at the fireworks (represented by the table) sat on the grass of Etxebarria Park (represented by our chairs).