Now rainy, now rainy, the September 8 lived by Hondarribitarras has been a year more similar to the last years: Both the traditional Alarde and the Jaizkibel company have outlined at different times, separated and each separately, throughout the morning. They have been applauded and applauded, and although in passing through the Jaizkibel company the applause has also been a majority, more than one spectator has turned his back on the traditional Alarde, although the clashes and struggles of yesteryear have been far removed. It's also common to see the people of Jaizkibel company talking, greeting, hugging with other companies. This image could be expected early in the morning, as it was the first time that all the companies shared the starting space, but the traditional Alarde commanders decided to delay in order not to match Jaizkibel. Thus, the traditional Alarde has broken its tradition and started to parade 20 minutes late.

News of the change of City Hall

Despite the fact that the event indicates that the conflict is still far from being resolved, it has not spoiled the day of Jaizkibel, and they have lived several first times at the great feast of Hondarribia, as the new municipal government has done. Abotsanitz has taken over in a town ruled by the PNV for many years and in which Patxi López has ruled. For the first time, the egalitarian company Jaizkibel has had municipal permission to parade as a company, has been recognized for the first time the trajectory of the traditional Alarde, so it has left the same place and has been able to finish the parade through Calle Mayor – playing the shoe rack and between dances and songs, it is an emotional and special moment for the Hondarribiarras – a song has come out for the first time. And it has done so with total naturalness and normality, although more than one has been frightened by the possibility of having difficulties and obstacles to make the journey.

In addition, for the first time, the PNV has received Jaizkibel. The PNV argues that it has been received this year by the municipal government that has authorised Jaizkibel to parade as a company – and not as a demonstration so far. The truth is that the PNV, ruled by him for many years, has never given him permission to parade as a company. Precisely, those years when the PNV has been at the head of the government have been "the hardest years" for Jaizkibel, said Uxoa Anduaga, a whistle for the Jaizkibel company.

These first times have shown the will of the new municipal government, they have brought changes, “small changes” in Jaizkibel’s opinion, because there is still much to do, but it has provoked great indignation in some of the traditional Alarde. On the occasion that Jaizkibel ended the Gran Vía festival, for example, before the afternoon show we heard more than one: “On Calle Mayor there will be a jaleo,” as if those who were waiting to see the traditional Alarde made a boycott of Jaizkibel. Well, the joint company has also traveled this section without any problems.

False normality

Following the course begun this year, in the occupied spaces, in the tours and hours of the parade, in the acts… The Jaizkibel Company will gain rights such as the traditional Alarde, which in turn can reinforce the discourse that is usually heard: “Let each one live the holidays in their own way.” In other words: “We go out with the same guarantees, that each one chooses where to go and stay separated, sliced, each in the same place and all in company, without fights.” This mantra is known to the neighbours of Irun, where there are two scares, one parity and the other traditional, which are celebrated without incident. But that is precisely what Jaizkibel wants to avoid, he does not want two scares, he wants to join in the scapegoat as a company, he wants to be one more, with a clear objective: to achieve a unique, egalitarian and public scapegoat.

Moreover, Jaizkibel is a giant company, the largest in Hondarribia, which brings together over a thousand people, to the point of logistically complicating things. After all, if someone wants to parade equally, they go to Jaizkibel, and there are enough people to form more than one joint company, but if they do, they run the risk of creating a new alarm and they do not want to make that way in Jaizkibel.

On 8 September this year he has shown that many things remain the same. For some, small steps have been taken this year, for other big steps, but as Uxoa Anduaga said, “it’s a long road that is won by millimeters.” The municipal government of Hondarribia said last year was the year of the symbols and this is the administrative year. What year will it be next?