mybilbaoBizkaia - Official website for Tourism in Biscay

Past July was known the new of the appointment of the Aste Nagusia as Treasure of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, title obtained "cum laude" after occupying the first place from among all the votes received as a result of a competition managed by the Bureau International of European Capitals and in which took part 45 candidacies presented throughout the length and breadth of the geography of the spanish state.

 

Therefore well, although really the appointment can have its promotional possibilities (there is some of the nominated among those 10 treasures that thinks this can be a good occasion for to attack the possibility of an upper recognition, that of  World Heritage by  the Unesco), the thing I believe as certain is a question that reflects directly through this privilege, the deep affection, that deep feeling of roots, that so special link that joins the people from Bilbao, the people of Bizkaia, with their city, with Bilbao. 

 

 

A feeling that has a result  in all the fields of the life, criteria that prevail above a great quantity of discrepancies in other fields of the existence but that acquire another dimension when the thing which we are asked about is this so wonderful city with a very special way of understanding the life.  And, it is curious, when one go out in a travel, being from Durango, from Barakaldo, from Ondarroa or Karrantza, and is asked about, "¿from where you are?", the answer is always the same, "Im from Bilbao". 

 

We do not say, "I am Basque", neither "Im from Biscay", shades of meaning that immediately afterwards we add proud.  We say, "Im from Bilbao", conscious of our linking with that city, being aware that the city is a little bit of all and each one of us.  There is who says that this is produced because, perhaps Bilbao, is the best-known one of all the references to provide.  Possibly it is true as well, although we dont desire it at all.

In any case, there is our treasure.  And this feeling of love with the city, in agreement this goes putting itself increasingly beautiful, goes "in crescendo", growing up each day.  This feeling can be verified even in fiestas, even in the Aste Nagusia (The Great Week of Bilbao).  The people really enjoys the city, enjoys a festive reality which, although ephemeral and not always obliging with all the preferences and sensibilities, provides always a moment and a space for the distension. 

 

 

Those that come on holidays and know the city in the Aste Nagusia do not want to leave it.  And the fact is that nobody imagines what the fiesta is until he or she is involved in all that sign of happiness, of desires to live and to pass it tremendous until the body can resist it.  Bull-fights, theatre productions, music concerts, open-air dances, …, katxis, good-looking girls and boys, summer, hot nights, …

 

If you have the opportunity, make you sure you come.  You will never regret it. 

 

Bilbao has been Treasure of the Intangible Heritage before other important candidacies presented as the Feria de Abril of Seville, the Sanfermines, the Carnivals of Cadiz or Tenerife,…