On 17 June, the Sagarno Eguna was held in Hendaia. About twenty years ago they began to celebrate it, but after a couple of years of rest, the Baleak association has already regained the initiative last year.

There has been some novelty at this year’s party: Hendaia's was, for the first time, the Sagarno Eguna of seven countries, as explained by Jesús Arzallus, a member of Baleak: “We met a neighbor from Zuberoa, the mayor of Iruri, who was making cider. Then we saw that it was possible to do the day with the cider of seven countries.”

In fact, the Sidrera tradition has always been related to Gipuzkoa, in Lapurdi, the Baleak association has come as a surprise: The producers of homemade cider are more than believed, and they have found about six cider producers dedicated to it. Also in Baja Navarra, from the arnotegi of Irulegi and at the initiative of the people of the area, is being prepared and selling cider. “There is tradition and there is a desire to develop the activity,” says Baleak. Therefore, the cider of Ipar Euskal Herria has a future.

A crowded square, a cider square

Baleak has Sagardo Eguna, one of the most successful initiatives of the year. “It has ‘hook’, cider attracts people and it’s a very popular day,” Arzallus explained.

This year a broad programme was also organised: from 5 p.m. onwards, there was txalaparta, bertsolaris, rural sport, talos, and of course, cider. In addition, several associations from Hendaia offered skewers to eat. The organizers wanted to encourage the participation of local actors and to make the initiative more popular, involving cultural and sports associations.

The organizers were pleased with the citizens’ response to the massacre. The square was filled with people and during the afternoon more than 800 glasses were distributed. Ciders from the seven countries of the Basque Country were welcomed to cope with the heat. They stayed almost without cider...