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Donostia Opens Euskal Jaiak as Kontxa Qualifiers Begin

The festival's start signals a citywide cultural push, including AEK's subsidized Basque-language enrollment drive using the Euskara Bonua, plus a €350,000 Basque Government grant to help performing-arts companies promote and internationalize their work.

Overview

  • Donostia's Euskal Jaiak began Wednesday with Kontxa qualifying races and a 12-day program of traditional sports, music, dance and family events running through September 13.
  • AEK launched a new enrollment campaign that aims to add 120,000 fully Basque speakers over a decade and uses the Euskara Bonua to cut fees for A1–B1 students to about €120 for four years.
  • The Basque Government approved a €350,000 grants call for professional performing-arts companies to cover promotion, audiovisual materials, travel and marketing costs, with applications open until September 25.
  • Sporting competition continues to shape festival interest: 24 men's traineras are racing in qualifying heats and Getaria's Esperantza, boosted by strong results at recent Galician regattas, is targeting a Kontxa berth.
  • Local councils and cultural centres have opened early-September enrollment windows and contests—from Eskola Kirola to music and dance schools and novel and photography prizes—intended to widen participation and make language and culture more accessible.