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The Alarde de San Marcial has its origins over 500 years ago, in a victory of local troops over the attacking French. Since then, every 30th June there is a parade to commemorate the victory, but the festivities of San Marcial are much more than this.
The celebrations generally fall in the last two weeks of June, when the streets of Irún are packed with concerts and festive events like the parade rehearsals and the pipe and drum music of La Diana during the Tamborrada.
May and June are the best time of year to visit this town in Gipuzkoa province. From the choice of the Cantineras who play a starring role in the parades to the official parade itself, these two months are packed with festive atmosphere and plenty of excitement.
In this blog we tell you everything you need to know about the festivities so that you can immerse yourself in them like a real Irundarra (native of Irún).
A total of 13 Companies parade in these celebrations, most of them representing a historic neighbourhood of Irún. There are also Companies like the Artillery or Cavalry that represent the warlike origins of the Alarde (which means review or display).
The Cantinera is one of the most important figures in these festivities, and each Company has one. In mid-May, each Company chooses a Cantinera, who generally takes part in the display with two attendants. In most cases these are chosen by a draw from all the candidates.
Once they are chosen, the commission of Cantineras, made up of former Cantineras, leaders and relatives, advise and assist the next Cantinera. They give advice on accessories and help to prepare the costume, as well as planning a calendar of visits to radio stations and different media.
Before the big day, in June, it is common to see the Companies parading through the streets of Irún without their traditional costumes. There are 3 rehearsals before the official parade. A week before 30th June the final rehearsal, known as the Arrancadilla, takes place. This parade is performed at a run and is over much more quickly than the others.
At 4am on 30th June the keenest early risers meet in front of the church of Juncal to play the Alborada to awaken the townspeople.
However, the festivities of San Marcial officially begin at 6 o'clock in the morning in front of the town hall, in the Plaza de San Juan. This is a popular occasion to celebrate the start of the festivities with the traditional music of the San Marciales.
The parades go round the streets of all the neighbourhoods of Irún, before going down the Calle Mayor to the Plaza de San Juan. Once they have arrived they head for the chapel of San Marcial on the hill of the same name.
The Irundarras celebrate these festivities avidly every year - and now you know about all the traditions that mark 30th June and the weeks before it. Come along and see them, join the parades or just go to the celebrations and concerts held during the festivities: Irún will welcome you with open arms.
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