In 2024 we celebrate the centenary of the birth of the famous Basque sculptor Eduardo Chillida with many Basque culture activities that I mention later in this 2024 August events agenda. On August 19th, 2002, Chillida died at the age of 78th. He is buried next to his wife in the Chillida-Leku Museum. One of the essential Basque museums, especially for art and nature lovers.

The sculptures in the cover photo of this selection of Basque cultural events in August are by another illustrious Basque sculptor of whom we are also celebrating the centenary of his birth this year: Néstor Basterretxea. You can see this expo this month in Vitoria-Gasteiz.

No longer 100 years old, but 65th, in 1959 Ernest Hemingway was in the bullfighting season in Spain (San Sebastian, Pamplona, ​​Vitoria, Burgos…) following the hand-to-hand fight between the bullfighters Dominguín and Ordoñez. In August he witnessed the final outcome in the Vista Alegre Bullring in Bilbao. Luis Miguel Dominguín was gored by a bull and Hemingway declared Ordoñez the winner. The event was used by the writer in the last chapter of his book “Dangerous Summer”. Where he also details his opinions about Bilbao at that time.

On August 10th, 1519, about 505 years ago, Magellan’s expedition left in search of species to the Moluccas. The Basque Juan Sebastián Elcano finished that trip 3 years later in 1522, being the first to circumnavigate the world along with 17 other men.

And speaking of the sea, I invite you to enjoy the ‘Liga Eusko Label de Traineras‘. The twelve best trawlers of the moment compete from July 1st to September 15th in Hondarribia, Portugalete, Getxo, Orio, Pasaia, Donostia/San Sebastián, Zarautz, Zumaia, Bermeo and Bilbao.

If July is the month of jazz festivals in the Basque Country, the month of August is the month of the most popular festivals:

  • Festivities of the White Virgin, from August 4th to 9th, which stand out for their cultural proposals, led by music, theater, crafts, but also with lots of gastronomy, fun contests, an Arab souk, fireworks…
  • Semana Grande de San Sebastian, from August 10th to 17th, is recognized outside the Basque Country for its International Fireworks Competition. It also has a special place in music with great singing stars, its activities for children and young people especially on its beaches,…
  • Aste Nagusia or Semana Grande de Bilbao, from August 17th to 25th, and stands out for being the most popular of all because it was created by the city’s own residents. Its musical offering is great in quantity and quality.

The summer agenda in August is not only filled with parties and anniversaries, but also with a lot of culture:

 

Enjoy Basque culture activities in Vitoria-Gasteiz and Alava

  • Basterretxea exhibition in the archive. It delves into his work from a documentary perspective in his film production, and in the presentation of the artist’s digital archive, after the donation made to the museum by his family. Artium Museoa. From May 10th to September 22nd.
  • María Antonia Proietti, the Italian model. Model of the Alava painters Ignacio Díaz Olano and Fernando Amárica. Museum of Fine Arts of Álava in Vitoria-Gasteiz. From May 15th to January 26th, 2025.
  • Trajectories. It shows the work of the three Basque artists Juan de Echevarría, Gustavo de Maeztu and Ángel Olarte. Works from the collection of the Álava Museum of Fine Arts in Vitoria-Gasteiz. From May 15th to January 26th, 2025.
  • Korterraza Araba 2024. Open-air cinema. Short film screenings. Labastida, Portilla, LLodio, other towns in Álava. From June 21st to September 14th.
  • Exhibition Basque cosmogonic series, by Nestor Basterretxea. Montehermoso Cultural Center of Vitoria-Gasteiz. From June 27th to September 29th.
  • Stellar pairing. Tasting wine under the stars. Guided tour, cocktail, music and stellar tasting while observing the stars. Garden of Varieties of Bodegas Valdelana. Advance reservation. July 27th, August 3rd and 10th.
  • Open by Concert 2024. Artists of recognized national prestige: Antton Aranburu, and Rebeca Jimenez and Benjamín Prado. Porch of the Santa María Cathedral. Santa María Square. August 2nd and 3rd.
  • Tears of San Lorenzo. Perseids, live music and food and wine. Advance reservation. Baigorri Wineries. August 10th.
  • Esférica Rioja Alavesa Festival 2024. Festival that integrates music, gastronomy, art and heritage. Laguardia, Labastida, Samaniego, Lapuebla de Labarca, Elciego, Villanueva de Álava and Elvillar. From August 23th to 25th.
  • Belar Sounds: Susan Santos and La Ola Maldita. Outdoor music in the Falerina Garden. Montehermoso cultural center. August 24th and 31st.
  • Vitoria-Gasteiz Cup. International Soccer Tournament. Cadet and Youth male / Senior female. Artium internal plaza. Basque Center-Museum of Contemporary Art. From August 30th to September 1st.

 

Basque culture in San Sebastian and Gipuzkoa in August 2024

  • Exhibition “Balenciaga. Character”, 3rd part. Perspective of the couturier’s work, never before seen, and focused on what makes “a Balenciaga” recognizable. Cristobal Balenciaga Museum. From March 1st to January 19th, 2025.
  • “Chillida / Balenciaga – Fold the shape” exhibition. Within the framework of the centenary of Eduardo Chillida. Guipuzcoans, friends and with a common philosophical base between the sculptor of air and the couturier of space. Cristobal Balenciaga Museum. From March 22nd to January 5th, 2025.
  • 100 years. The modern and/or the contemporary. Basque art from the 1920s to the present. San Telmo Museum. From April 13th to December 30th.
  • Temporary exhibition “100 years of Eduardo Chillida with the Telefónica Collection“. Collaboration with Telefonica, Fundaciontef and Chillida100 in the years of the artist’s Centennial. Chillida Leku Museum. From May 15th to October 13th.
  • Perfume at the time of Balenciaga. “The invisible and definitive fashion accessory” according to Chanel. The epitome of luxury. History of modern perfume (1895-1972): fragrances, jewel bottles, boxes and displays, advertising and poetry. Collections of Anne de Thoisy-Dallem, Juanjo Ruiz Crivillé, Benegas perfumery in San Sebastián and the Balenciaga Museum itself. From May 24th to December 8th.
  • A conversation: Chillida and the arts 1950-1970. Creative universe of the artist in the period that defines his style. San Telmo Museum. From June 8th to September 30th.
  • The evolution of Basque fashion from the 18th to the 20th centuries. Basque Costume Museum in Rentería. Baroque building Kapitain Etxea. From June 24th to December 31st.
  • San Sebastian Musical Fortnight. Classical music festival: opera, ballet, symphony orchestras, chamber groups, romantic organ, choirs, children’s shows. Kursaal, Victoria Eugenia Theater and in other locations in Guipúzcoa. From August 1st to 30th.
  • Mosaic. Malandain Ballet Biarritz. Dancing works by Ravel, Mozart, Saint-Saëns, Chopin, Tchaikovsky, among others. Victoria Eugenia Theater. From August 1st to 4th.
  • Divas, the power of music. Musical show with more than 30 unforgettable hits by Cher, Gloria Gaynor, Jennifer López, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Madonna, Alaska, Rosalía, Lady Gaga and many more. Victoria Eugenia Theater. From August 7th to 11th.

 

Proposals of basque culture in Bilbao and Biscay in August 2024

  • Selma Huxley: discovering the Basques in 16th century Terra Nova. Basque cod and whale expeditions and fisheries in Terra Nova. Maritime Museum, Itsasmuseum Bilbao. Until September 1st.
  • Signs and Objects: Pop Art from the Guggenheim Collection. In addition to historical pieces from the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, the exhibition will include a selection of new work by contemporary artists exploring the legacy of pop. From February 16th to September 19th.
  • Martha Jungwirth. Perspective on her work between abstract expressionism and informalism. Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. From June 7th to September 22nd.
  • Yoshitomo Nara. Exhibition covers Nara’s entire career from its beginnings. Bilbao Guggenheim Museum. From June 28th to November 3rd.
  • Getxo Eszena. Theatre, dance, circus, clown and music by companies from the Basque Country. Las Arenas Station Square. From May 4th to October 26th.
  • Intermission. Museum of Modern Art of Bilbao 1924-1945. Expo that commemorates the centenary of the Museum of Fine Arts of Bilbao. From June 7th to September 7th.
  • Sota Family. Art and patronage. Collecting and patronage as drivers of modern culture. Museum of Fine Arts of Bilbao. From June 21th to October 13th.
  • Eduardo Chillida – Godofredo Ortega Muñoz. 2 greats of Basque and Spanish art of the 20th century who have the desire for modernity as a connecting thread. Museum of Fine Arts of Bilbao. From June 26th to October 21st.
  • The Phantom of the Opera. Story of love, death and disaster for the most successful and longest-running musical in history. Arriaga Theater. From August 14th to September 15th.
  • Ghost, the musical. From cinema to theater. Protagonist: David Bustamante. Euskalduna Palace. From August 16th to September 1st.
  • Billie. With Bea Insa and Rafa Aceves. Dramatized concert with a piano, a singer and an old microphone that pays homage to Billie Holiday. Champs Elysees Theater. From August 30th to September 1st.

Complete your stay in the Basque Country with some personalized and private tours. I help you design your ideal tour anywhere in the French or Spanish Basque part, and I also organize it for you and take you by the hand. Contact me and make this August 2024 a complete and unforgettable experience through Basque culture and lands.

July 16, 2024