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The popular Magdalena festivity is an emblematic celebration with great repercussion in most of the Busturialdea region, above all in Bermeo, Mundaka and Elantxobe. Thousands of people dressed in typical nankeen shirts approach these municipalities aiming to enjoy their amazing festive atmosphere. Bermeo and Mundaka commemorate and perform the quarrel between both towns to obtain the custody of the Isle of Izaro.
On July 22nd the Bermeo's Council gets together to attend the High Mass in Santa Eufemia church. Soon after, the bands liven up the streets with their music and the representatives of the local authorities leave the town by boat towards Elantxobe, stopping at the rear of the island to throw a tile as a symbol of Bermeo's property of the island. In the evening, the boat continues from Elantxobe towards Mundaka and arrives finally in Bermeo, after one hour and thirty minutes. Passacaglias and bands welcome the crew, which heads towards the town hall. A mass concert marks the end of the celebrations.
Arrigorriaga, Plentzia and Trapagaran -Arboleda neighbourhood- also arrange events on the occasion. But these fiestas are not only held in Bizkaia. Errenteria, for example, arranges endless activities throughout a week aiming at different audiences: religious celebrations, sports competitions, concerts, traditional activities, and games for the little ones, open-air dances, street entertainment, and so on. As to Alava, towns such as Artziniega, Ayala or Bernedo (Urturi), among others, also celebrate Magdalena festivities.
