Fiesta, Bilbao style

I was in Bilbao just as the biggest 'fiesta' celebrations on the calendar were coming to an end. It's called the 'Big Week' (Semana Grande in Spanish or Aste Nagusia in Euskera) and starts on the Saturday before the 22nd August and continues for 9 days.

During these days there are many activities organised by the local council which include concerts, theatrical plays and bullfights. There are also bars and food stands set up in the street offering refreshments and entertainment throughout the night until the early hours of the morning.

Barrel of locally made cider

In the open park areas along the river the tents are constructed for the bars but during the day the local people offer dishes of home-cooked food and drinks.

And the band played on

The atmosphere is relaxed and happy and the activities are accompanied by music from the local band. This fiesta has been celebrated this way since 1978, and it is definitely worth experiencing.

Hasta pronto!