Txikiteros day in Bilbao: we will be there!

Txikiteros day will be celebrated this Sunday, the 11th of October 2015.

The students of our school will have the opportunity to take part in the curious event!

The history of txikiteros, bilbaínos (people from Bilbao) that drink txikitos (small wines), is a mysterious one. However, this festival of small wines has been popular throughout the 20th century.

A txikito us a measure of wine that traditionally comes in a txikito class (see photo). The lower part of the glass is made up completely of glass. Normally, the capacity of the glass is 700ml. Therefore, one can try a large variety of wines in several bars. This activity is known as a txikiteo, the equivalent of a bar crawl. Normally, the txikiteo takes place around the streets Santa María y Pelota in the Casco Viejo.

The 11th of October 2015 is the day of the Virgin of Begoña, the patron of Biscay. The txikiteros sing songs in her honour. There is only one point in the Casco Viejo from which you can see the Basilica of Begoña, which is 80 metres uphill of the Casco Viejo. This is the place where the singing and festivities take place.

The txikiteros sing bilbainadas, traditional songs that tend to involve a lot of cheering. On the corner where Santa María Street meets Pelota Street a sacrifice takes place in honour of the Virgin of Begoña.

Throughout the week there are a number of activities taking place in the Casco Viejo.

We invite you to accompany us and get to know Bilbao!