 | San Sebastián Local Customs | Tips 1 - 10 of 19 |  |
Popular Local Customs | Miscellaneous Local Customs Tips | All Tips (19)
 | |  |  | The Races For The Flag | Tip Rating:   |  |  | |  |
Thirteen oarsmen and one helmsman. Fourteen muscle-packed bodies and fourteen grim faces. Fourteen pairs of determined eyes. Red, blue, green, yellow, all colours of tank tops, all with black trunks. All are packed tight in fixed-thwart rowing boats, competing against one another for the prize of a flag, the Bandera de La Concha. Held on the first and second Sunday of September in Bahia de La Concha, this event originally honoured the old anglers and their daily struggle to bring the fish to the harbour at the soonest. Now the prestige competition draws thousands upon thousands of fans and spectators from the province of Gipuzkoa and all other points in the Basque Country to Donostia-San Sebastian. The crowd formed on the beach and at all vantage points before dawn break on the days of competition. Helicopters from TV and radio stations buzzing overhear, they seemed not to miss anything, every stroke was commented on and every inch of gain was reported. With thousands of people on the beach, there were times when the silence of tension was deafening. The die-hard fans were out there on the water in their own boats and kayaks so they would not be too far from the action. The rest of the crowd waited at the old fishing harbour to welcome the return of their teams with explosive cheers. Castro the red shirted team won, and as we were told, it is the best team ever. It has to be. Leave a Comment
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| | | | Here Is Some Water To Cool Off! | Tip Rating: | | | | |
It was a big weekend in Donostia. The regattas for La Concha Flag drew thousands upon thousands of people to town, and under the blazing sun and the still air, everyone screamed and cheered for their teams even after the races were over. It was a festive time, but it was also very hot. The residents who lived in flats on higher floors had a good view of the races from their balconies; they also participated in the screaming and cheering but at the same time, enjoyed the comfort of their own homes. From those advantage points, they listened to the music from the marching band and watched the parade of people below them. Perhaps it started with a prank, or perhaps it was a local tradition, we had no idea how or why, all we knew was someone from above brought out a bucket of water and poured it over the spectators. Then other people followed the act, and all of a sudden, everyone was soaked. It continued for a while, neither the givers nor the receivers seemed to mind, everyone laughed and cheered. Leave a Comment
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Euskal Jaiak is the Festival of Basque Culture that is held the first ten days of September each year in San Sebastián. On the first day of the festival, boats compete in the bay to qualify for the Bandera de la Concha, and the final race to championship is held on the last day of the festival. The ten days between the opening and closing events are packed with manifestations to celebrate all aspects of Basque culture. There is handball tournament, bull fights, marionettes, folk music, folk dance, Parades of the Giants, dragon dance, artisan fairs, concerts, plays, cooking contests, etc. and etc. If you plan to be in San Sebastián during Euskal Jaiak, make sure to book the hotel way in advance, since every accommodation will be filled to the rim with guests. Leave a Comment
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Great folks that brighten up the streets with the music and good mood spreading around Leave a Comment
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on September 10, 2006
San Sebastián
on September 20, 2003
on September 20, 2005
