5 things you have to know about Semana Grande (Aste Nagusia) in Bilbao

Semana Grande - or Aste Nagusia in Basque - in Bilbao is one of the most special, magical weeks of the year in the Basque Country, as it doesn't last 7 days, but 9. Every year, on the Saturday following 15th August, the festivities take over the streets of Bilbao and for 9 days thousands of people from all over the world enjoy the best atmosphere and the hundreds of cultural and festive events that pack the bill.

After 9 days of uninterrupted celebrations, Aste Nagusia ends on Sunday with the burning of Marijaia in the square in front of the Arriaga theatre.

But just who is Marijaia? The symbol of Bilbao's festivities is a woman about 4 metres tall, blonde, with colourful dresses and her arms raised in a sign of festivities and optimism. She was created by the painter Mari Puri Herrero, inspired by the ancient Basque goddess Anbotoko Mari to create the icon of the festivities in the capital of Bizkaia province, known as the "Lady of the fiesta".

Aste Nagusia begins and ends with Marijaia. After the opening speech and the txupinazo (when a rocket is set off), she leans over the balcony of the Arriaga to begin the festivities. On the final Sunday of Aste Nagusia, the square in front of the theatre hosts a spectacle of light and sound which ends with the burning of Marijaia.

Over the 9 days of celebrations she can be seen with the comparseros, members of festive groups, making her way along El Arenal, the promenade beside the estuary. Come along to say hello and have your photo taken with her!

The comparsas play an essential role in organising Aste Nagusia. They are in charge of the festive area on El Arenal, where each of the 28 comparsas currently in existence sets up its txosna with its respective bar. They also help to prepare the festive programme and organise a wide variety of events: gastronomic competitions, children's activities, competitive events between comparsas and more.

And they are part of the committee that elects the pregonero and the txupinera every year. The pregonero is someone closely related to Bilbao who reads the opening speech. The Txupinera is always a woman, a member of one of the comparsa groups, and lets off the opening rocket. Both of them take an active role over the 9 days the festivities last.

Gastronomy is an inevitable highlight of Aste Nagusia. The area of El Arenal hosts a gastronomic competition every day, each devoted to a traditional Basque recipe. This is one of the most popular events of Aste Nagusia in Bilbao, bringing together culture, fine food and public participation.

Txipirones (little squids in ink), tortilla (potato omelette), marmitako (tuna stew) or traditional bacalao (cod) in pilpil sauce are among the dishes cooked slowly on the festive site, attracting large numbers of entrants and visitors who come to see the cooks at work close up.

Aste Nagusia features events to suit all tastes and ages: Basque folk and herri kirolak (country sports), txikigune (area with activities for children), over 100 musical performances at venues throughout the city, street theatre and performing arts and the spectacular fireworks that fill the skies over Bilbao with light and noise night after night.

Weeks before Aste Nagusia begins, a festive programme listing all the free activities is published.

Don't be shy - come to Bilbao during Aste Nagusia and enjoy the festivities just as the locals do. And don't forget to say hello to Marijaia.