San Marcial rehearsal 2009

30 June is the day of Saint Marcial and, in 1522 on that day, the locals of Irun, Gipuzkoa (Spanish side of the Basque Country) threw the French out of the town in a famous battle. Since then the inhabitants have been celebrating the victory with great gusto. The festivities start a few days before and include a rehearsal (of which this video shows a small part) of the principal parade. On the day, everyone is dressed in uniforms and/or local traditional Basque dress. Each of 17 neighbourhoods turns out a phalanx of pipers, drummers and a pretty young woman elected to be a 'cantinera'. This is a great honour, although 'cantinera' in most of the Spanish-speaking world means a hostess in a sleazy bar. Quite what role the 16th century cantineras played in supporting the troops is generally left unsaid.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Saint Marcial
• Irun
• Gipuzkoa
• Basque Country
• cantinera

[Irayus29]

Stevehards en realidad son 19 cantineras no 16 como pone en tu descripcion lo unico que este dia no salen ni banda tamborrada artilleria ni caballeria =) GORA IRUN GORA SAN MARCIAL!!!