Arms Parade: smell of gunpowder

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Hondarribia's arm parade

The Saint Martial fiestas in Irún (Gipuzkoa) congregate thousands of local inhabitants who participate in a spectacular arms parade and subsequent country fiesta beside the hermitage in fulfillment of their ex votos to the Saint of the same name.

On June 30, Irún acquires the smell of gunpowder amid unusual excitement. Thousands of rifles fire in unison at the orders of the general as the sound of fifes and drums mingles with the clamor of the locals.

Simpler, but no less spectacular, is the festivity in the village of Antzuola (Gipuzkoa), on the third Saturday in July, representing a battle won by the local troops against the army of Abderraman III at Valdejunquera in 921. A faithful copy of the flag wrested from the enemy leads the military cortège.

The Arms Parade, in addition to the said gunpowder shots, is also the setting for a parody representing the submission of a "Moor", sitting atop an ass, to the triumphant militia.

Well into the summer, another two arms parades take place in Hondarribia and Elorrio (Bizkaia). The Hondarribia Arms Parade (Gipuzkoa) commemorates on 9th September a vote made to Our Lady of Guadalupe in 1639 by virtue of which the local forces won a famous armed victory. In Elorrio, held on the first Sunday in October, this paradeis known as the "Errebonbillos" Arms Parade. Fifteen elegantly dressed youngsters parade the streets while firing gunpowder salutes.