Aste Nagusia festival in Bilbao faces arrests, food seizures, and strikes

The Aste Nagusia festival in Bilbao is facing significant challenges involving crime, food safety violations, and labor strikes. After six days of celebrations, police reports indicate a total of 76 detainees and 332 complaints. Theft remains the most frequent issue, accounting for a large portion of the reported incidents.

Authorities have also targeted an informal economy of unauthorized food vendors. Police have seized nearly 150 kilograms of food due to a lack of sanitary controls and permits. Notable incidents include the forced disposal of a paella being sold without a license during a tortilla competition.

Simultaneously, the festival has been impacted by labor unrest. Technical workers in the Basque entertainment sector have conducted strikes, resulting in the suspension of approximately 40 to 50 events. The workers are demanding progress on the first collective bargaining agreement for the Basque entertainment and events sector, which has been stalled for over two years.