DONOSTIA 2016 - European Capital of Culture!

The European Capital of Culture is a city designated by the European Union for a period of one calendar year during which it organises a series of cultural events with a strong European dimension.

Our city was chosen to be European Capital of Culture during 2016.

San Sebastian kicked off the European Capital of Culture year with an ample programme of activities that started on January 20th (coinciding with San Sebastian Day), and end on the 24th of that same month.

This represents an enormous opportunity to turn the focus on culture and dialogue as the roads towards improved coexistence. It will also promote stronger ties with the rest of Europe and foster innovation in the cultural sector.

Herewith, you can watch a video San Sebastian prepared to promote the candidature of our city as a European Capital of Culture. We believe it offers a good idea about our city and our culture.

http://www.morgancrea.net/en/donostia2016.html


For more information, please look at :

http://dss2016.eu/en/agenda

Tamborrada: St. Sebastian day - Such a special day for Donostiarras (people from San Sebastian)!

Every 20th January, San Sebastian celebrates its patron saint´s day with the "tamborrada" drum parade.

There are different opinions about the origin of this festivity. Some people claim that it goes back several hundred years to the time of the Peninsular War, when Napoleon’s troops took over San Sebastian and a large portion of the city was burned to the ground. During this time of occupation, it was typical for the women and cooks to fetch water at one of the city’s two fountains. All the while, French troops marched around the city, banging on their drums. No one is quite sure who started it, but soon the women and cooks began to beat on the buckets as to mock the French occupiers.

However, others insist that this festivity has roots dating back to 1836 and that it was originally one of the Carnival troupes.

During 24 hours, the entire city is transformed with the rolling of drums and barrels and the sound of the music of the basque composer Raimundo Sarriegi. On this day, the whole city feels like an authentic community joined by being part of the same tradition and cultural heritage.


The hoisting and the lowering of the city flag are two of the most emotional moments of the day. The hoisting of the flag in the Constitucion Square announces the start of the festivity. It takes place at 00:00 am when the mayor raises the flag of San Sebastian.

This special day finishes in the same place with the lowering of the flag.

During the tamborrada, you will see different outfits. Participants dress as cooks and soldiers from Napoleonic times, and some women wear basque traditional clothes.

As a local, I would like to point out that although San Sebastian day is celebrated on the 20th of January, one of the most special tamborradas take place on the 19th at 18:30 pm when the children of the Old Town of the city march from San Telmo and go to play their drums and barrels to San Vicente church.
Another special tamborrada we personally love is the one organised by Oilagorra gastronomic society. They come down from Urgull hill on the 20th of January at 20:30 pm. The best place to see it is the city wall located in calle Mari (Mari street), near the port.

If you want to watch the hoisting of the flag, please click here.

Santo Tomas day

Santo Tomas day (spanish for Saint Thomas) takes place every December 21st.

This is a really special day for locals!. It dates back to the mid 19th century, when the "baserritarras (inhabitants of the farmhouses), used to go to town to pay their yearly rent to the owners of the land they worked. They used to sell their agricultural products and get the things they could not get locally. Urban and rural communities would meet on this day to exchange products for the upcoming Christmas festivities.

This is the way this important festivity started, and the day still continues being celebrated as one of the biggest for the city. Today, that traditional reason has disappeared, but you can still expect to see vendors and shoppers wearing traditional Basque rural clothes, remembering the roots of the market.

Every 21st of December, the city turns into an enormous country market of which the absolute star is the txistorra (fresh chorizo-like sausage). Stalls are set up all over the city, offering all sorts of food and craft wares, mostly produced by the people from the local farmhouses. These include cheese, honey, txistorra sausage, cider and cakes.

La Plaza de la constitución (Constitucion square) in the Old Town, is a must in Santo Tomas. Go and enjoy the atmosphere there! Spot the big pig and all the stalls, try "talo con txistorra" (kind of pancake made with corn flour filled with fresh chorizo) and drink cider.

Bear in mind that this is a must for everyone, so the best option to avoid the crowd is to go before 11:00 am.

If you go to Plaza de Okendo you will be able to see the exhibition of different animals.

We hope you enjoy it as much as we do!!

Behobia – San Sebastian: Much more than a race - A feeling!

More than 30,000 runners take part in one of Europe’s most popular and exciting races.

Every year, this popular 20km race (half-marathon) is held on the second Sunday of November. It connects two towns of Gipuzkoa, San Sebastián and Behobia with two major highs, Gaintxurizketa (Km. 8) and the Miracruz High (Km. 17).


More information at:
https://www.behobia-sansebastian.com

Horror and Fantasy Film Festival - Donostia - San Sebastián

The Horror and Fantasy Film Festival is held from the 31st of October to the 6th of November. It features an official section, a short film section and a section on children’s films.

In addition to cinema, the competition also offers a programme of street theatre, exhibitions, courses on comics, and concerts.

More information at:
http://www.sansebastianhorrorfestival.com

San Sebastián International Film Festival - From Sep 18, 2015 to Sep 26, 2015

"Donostiako Zinemaldia", in Basque, "Festival de Cine de San Sebastian" in Spanish.

For another year Donostia will host the San Sebastián International Film festival, an event that has been held every year in September since its first edition in 1953.

This festival is one of the most prestigious and internationally recognised in Spain, and big names in film, both actors and directors, have attended to present their movies, making for a glamorous, cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Apart from the different prizes awarded in the various sections, since 1986 the Donostia Prize has been awarded in recognition of those who have contributed to the world of film through their careers.

More information at:
http://www.sansebastianfestival.com

Euskal Jaiak - Basque Festivities

  

The Euskal Jaiak (Basque Festivities) take place in the beginning of September.

During these days, you will be able to enjoy different events related to Basque culture. Musical and sporting activities and the best Basque cuisine are the main attractions.

The Sagardo Eguna (cider day) should also be mentioned as it is one of the most important activities of Euskal Jaiak.