2. Aste Nagusia is a traditional festival from the Basque Country. It is
celebrated in Bilbao. It is celebrated at the end of August, and lasts 9
days.
Once a rocket is shot into the sky (known as the txupinazo), the
festival’s mascot, Marijaia, makes her grand entrance onto the balcony.
Then the festival begins.There is traditional Basque music and dancing,
as well as Basque rural sports such as wood chopping and stone carrying
competitions. The streets are lined with tents offering a wide variety
of food and drinks. And for the kids there are parades of giants and
the Gargantua, who devours the children who enter into his mouth. But
don’t worry, inside the Gargantua is a slide and the children exit safely
from his posterior.
