Blusas

Last updated

The Blusas parading in the streets of Vitoria-Gasteiz Gasteizko blusen asto-lasterketa.jpg
The Blusas parading in the streets of Vitoria-Gasteiz

Blusas are individuals in the autonomous Basque region in Spain who dress in the traditional clothes of the region and attend events in Vitoria-Gasteiz (Basque Country) such as the Virgen Blanca Festivities. The blusas assemble in groups called cuadrillas, and their main role is to provide entertainment at these events.

Contents

Etymology

Etymologically, blusas comes from the Basque language and refers to the typical long shirts worn at the festivities. [1]

History

Celedon Vitoria 9.JPG
Celedón

The festivities in Vitoria-Gasteiz have a rural origin. It was originally held for attendance at los toros. [1]

Festival routine

Blusas are the main cheerleaders of festivals and thus their routine is connected to it. During the corrida, they gather and parade near the bullring without entering. [1]

Attire

The blusas wear the typical rural attire the Araba natives once wore. The outfit consists of a shirt, a "blusa" (blouse), a pair of trousers and the "albarcas" whereas "neskas" wear a blouse, long skirt and "albarcas".

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Álava</span> Province of Spain

Álava or Araba, officially Araba/Álava, is a province of Spain and a historical territory of the Basque Country, heir of the ancient Lordship of Álava, former medieval Catholic bishopric and now Latin titular see.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vitoria-Gasteiz</span> Municipality in Basque Country, Spain

Vitoria-Gasteiz is the seat of government and the capital city of the Basque Country and of the province of Álava in northern Spain. It holds the autonomous community's House of Parliament, the headquarters of the Government, and the Lehendakari's official residency. The municipality—which comprises not only the city but also the mainly agricultural lands of 63 villages around—is the largest in the Basque Country, with a total area of 276.81 square kilometres (106.88 sq mi), and it has a population of 253,093. The dwellers of Vitoria-Gasteiz are called vitorianos or gasteiztarrak, while traditionally they are dubbed babazorros.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olentzero</span> Character in Basque Christmas tradition

Olentzero is a character in Basque Christmas tradition. According to Basque traditions, Olentzero comes to town late at night on 24 December to drop off presents for children. In some places he arrives later, for example in Ochagavía – Otsagabia on the 27th and in Ermua on the 31st.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of the Basque Country</span> Public university in the Basque Autonomous Community of Spain

The University of the Basque Country is a Spanish public university of the Basque Autonomous Community.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Basque Y</span> High-speed rail network under construction

Basque Y is the high-speed rail network being built between the three cities of the Basque Autonomous Community, in Spain; Bilbao, Vitoria-Gasteiz and Donostia-San Sebastián.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chinchaypujio District</span> District in Cusco, Peru

Chinchaypujio is one of nine districts of the Anta Province in Peru and about 2 hours outside of Cusco. Its capital, Chinchaypujio, hosts a weekly market (Mercado Ferial de Chinchaypujio) as well as the regional government. The district is home to 9 communities: Chinchaypujio, Ocra, Paucarccoto, Parcotica, Waccahualla, Huancancalla, Sumaru, Pantipata and Huamumayo. In its southernmost part, the Apurímac River crosses the district; a major trade road connecting the Cuzco Department with the Department of Apurímac crosses through the entire district from north to south.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Basque Country (autonomous community)</span> Autonomous community of Spain

The Basque Autonomous Community [ A.C.], also officially called Euskadi [], is an autonomous community in northern Spain. It includes the Basque provinces of Araba, Bizkaia, and Gipuzkoa. It also surrounds an enclave called Treviño.

Tourism in the Basque Autonomous Community has increased considerably in recent years, and is a popular destination for tourists from Spain and France. According to data from the Eustat the number of tourists entering the region in the year 2009 was 1,991,790, with the final result still pending. 71% of the yearly visitors come from the rest of Spain; the greatest number from Madrid Autonomous Community (14.2%), and Catalonia (11.1%). International visitors make up the remaining 29% - the largest percent come from France (7.2%). 62% of the people who come to the Basque Autonomous Community visit one of the three capitals, 27% visit inland and 11% visit the coast. The average stay of the visitors is 2 days.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conservatory Jesús Guridi</span> Music academy in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain

Conservatorio Jesús Guridi is a music academy in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain. It is called Jesús Guridi due to the famous Basque musician who was born in Vitoria-Gasteiz. The conservatory is located in Vitoria-Gasteiz, capital of the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country. With a population of 220.000 citizens, the city has a very big cultural dynamism and a particular interest at the moment of offering different artistic and cultural activities. That is why the city contains a large number of museums and a complete programming of cultural events during the whole year, organized by the public institutions and the private leadership. Actually Jesús Guridi music conservatory occupies a very important place in the cultural life of the city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Comarcas of the Basque Country</span>

The autonomous community of the Basque Country within Spain contains several comarcas or eskualdeak in the Basque language, referring to local districts, grouped into its three long-established provinces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Virgen Blanca Festivities</span>

The Fiestas de la Virgen Blanca have been celebrated every year, since 1884. It is held on 5 August, but the celebrations begin the day before, on the 4th, and end on 9 August. It honours the patron saint of the city, and features a programme of special events, activities and free open-air concerts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Celedón</span> Character central to the Virgen Blanca Festivities

Celedón is a character central to the Virgen Blanca Festivities of Vitoria-Gasteiz, in the Basque province of Álava in Spain. He is portrayed wearing a beret and dressed in a traditional blouse, always carrying an umbrella.

The Virgen Blanca is the patron saint of the Spanish city Vitoria-Gasteiz. Its festivity is celebrated on 5 August, commonly known as Andre Maria Zuriaren jaiak or las fiestas de la Blanca.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plaza de los Fueros</span> Place

The Plaza de los Fueros is a plaza or square located in the city centre of Vitoria-Gasteiz, which is the capital of the Basque Country, Spain. It was built in 1979 in memory of the county code of laws named fuero in Spanish.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Second tower of the Plaza de la Virgen Blanca</span>

The Second tower of the Plaza de la Virgen Blanca, also called Tower of the Correría was the smaller of the two towers that noted for its height, the other tower exist today intact, that were in the Plaza de la Virgen Blanca, in Vitoria-Gasteiz.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 Tour of the Basque Country</span> Cycling race

The 2019 Tour of the Basque Country was a road cycling stage race, that took place between 8 and 13 April 2019 in Spain. It was the 59th edition of Tour of the Basque Country and the 15th race of the 2019 UCI World Tour. Ion Izagirre of Spain was the winner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arantzazu Ametzaga</span> Basque writer and librarian

Arantzazu Ametzaga is a Basque writer, librarian and historian. She was the founder of the library of the Basque Parliament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lantern Museum</span> Museum in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain

The Lantern Museum is located in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Álava, Basque Country, Spain. It houses the lanterns used in the Rosary of the Lanterns procession, celebrated every 4th of August during the Virgen Blanca Festivities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Katixa Agirre</span> Spanish writer

Katixa Agirre Miguelez is a Spanish writer of Basque origin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karmele Jaio</span>

Karmele Jaio Eiguren is a Basque writer and journalist whose works have been translated into Catalan, German, Russian, Spanish, and English. She is the recipient of multiple awards for Amaren eskuak and Aitaren etxea and.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Douglass, Carrie B. (1999). Bulls, Bullfighting, and Spanish Identities. Tucson: University of Arizona Press. p. 223. ISBN   0-8165-1651-0.