Intensive Spanish courses during Semana Grande de Bilbao

The Semana Grande de Bilbao, known in Basque as Aste Nagusia, is Bilbao’s main festival.

It is between the 17 and 24 August this year. It is a week filled with big events, concerts, exhibitions, all types of music, arts and crafts, fireworks, theatre and, above all, lots of fun. Imagine being able to combine all of this with a Spanish course at Instituto Heminway.

If you have decided that you wish to do an intensive Spanish course in Bilbao during the summer, August is the ideal time. You will enjoy all of the city’s festive traditions during Semana Grande.

Your Spanish course at Instituto Hemingway will allow you to see:

-          The chupinera who is the person in charge of launching the rocket that signals the start of the festivities. You will see them wearing a typical costume of a red dress coat with shoulder pads.

-            The pregonero who is the person in charge of reading the proclamation that announces the festivities, encouraging people to attend the festivities. It is always someone famous and well-known in our city. Their typical costume is: yellow tails, a black hat and a white sash. If you see them in the street you will definitely recognise them.

-          Marijaia: It is the festivities’ official symbol; it´s a kind, plump lady who always has her hands in the air because she is always dancing.

Your Spanish classes will be in the mornings in Calle Bailén, our offices in Bilbao, meaning that you will be a step away from the party. Even from the classrooms you will hear the music, the firecrackers, and you’ll see all the fun from our balconies with views of Arriaga Theatre. So, once you have finished all your homework, it will take you but two minutes to reach the heart of the party and to start putting your Spanish to use by experiencing total immersion.

The music concerts are a key part of Semana Grande. These include current groups and singers. Also, other than these official concerts, there are also concerts organised at specific meeting points.

If we haven't yet convinced you, imagine: after your Spanish classes you could enjoy a variety of different cultural activities organised by the school and in the evening you could enjoy the Fuegos Artificiales Villa de Bilbao  [international Fireworks competition in Bilbao], a fireworks show that takes place every night.

Don´t hesitate, book your Spanish course for August; we guarantee a unique experience, in which you will improve your Spanish in the most important week on Bilbao's calendar.