Bilbao celebrates Aste Nagusia amid festival arrests

The Aste Nagusia festival in Bilbao is underway, featuring a wide array of cultural, gastronomic, and musical activities. The programming includes traditional Basque elements such as giants and big-heads parades, bertsolaris, and culinary contests. The performing arts scene is also active, with high ticket sales reported for various theatrical productions at venues like Teatro Arriaga and Palacio Euskalduna.

However, the festivities have also seen significant police activity. During the first day, nine people were arrested, including cases of gender violence and sexual harassment. The second day saw an additional thirteen arrests, including one for gender violence and three for injuries. Other detentions involved theft, robbery, and offenses against authority.