Briefing Tour to Modern Participatory and Direct
Democracy in the Basque Country
November 14 (noon) – 16 (noon)
Important: It is still possible to register for this exclusive briefing tour, please
contact Andreas Müller [[email protected]] as soon as possible.
Monday, November 14: The Culture of the Cooperative Movement
We will visit the Debagoiena area to see a number of cases linked to the Basque
cooperative movement. The Basque Country is a worldwide benchmark in
cooperativism.
15.00 Meeting Point: Donostia-San Sebastian City Hall
16:15
Arrival in Arantzazu
16:20
Tour of Arantzazu Basilica (duration of visit 50 minutes)
Coffee/snack
17:45
Departure from Arantzazu for Mondragon
17:50
Arrival in Mondragon
18:00
Tour: Cooperative movement at MCC.
Guided.
19:30
Return to Donostia/San Sebastián
First stop: History and Culture  Basilica of Arantzazu (5 km from City
Hall)
According to legend, a shepherd named Rodrigo de Balzategi reported
that the Virgin appeared to him on a hawthorn bush. Astonished, he asked:
"Arantzan zu?" (Is that you on a hawthorn?). During the following centuries
the Franciscan friars made Arantzazu a place of devotion and pilgrimage,
and an exponent of art and culture. Sanctuary Arantzazu, hung over
ravines and built on rocky places in a wild and natural area in the
municipality of Oñati, survived three major fires (1553, 1622 and 1834) and
had to be rebuilt so many times. However, in 1951, instead of continuing
with a pattern of partial renovation and epxansion, it was decided to build
a new basilica that was truly solemn for its size and form, in modern artistic
language. A contest of ideas was convened. The winning project for the
realization of the new church was that of Francisco Javier Sáenz de Oiza
and Luis Laorga, although the footprint of the sculptor Jorge Oteiza,
creator of the sculptures of the 14 apostles of the facade, is present
throughout the settings. The iron gates are from Eduardo Chillida and
paintings by Nestor Basterretxea and Lucio Muñoz.
Second stop: The Basque Cooperative Movement  MCC (70 km from
Arantzazu)
We visit MCC, Mondragón Corporación Cooperativa, the world’s biggest
cooperative company in the production sector. It has more than 75’000 coworkers and is active all over the world. Here we learn more about valuable
democratic lessons when it comes to decision-making structures within
this fascinating company developed out of the strong Basque cooperative
movement.
[We return back at 7.30 pm to Donostia-San Sebastian for individual dinners]
Tuesday, November 15: Politics and Wine
Today we the city of Vitoria/Gasteiz, capital of the Basque Country, where we will tour
the Basque Parliament (the regional parliament of the autonomous community),
learning more about proximity policies and amenities, legislation on citizen
consultations in Vitoria/Gasteiz, and neighbourhood self-organisation bodies in rural
areas.
09.00 Meeting Point: Donostia-San Sebastian City Hall
09:00
Departure from Donostia/San Sebastian for Vitoria-Gasteiz
10:30
Arrival and walking tour of the old quarter, city walls, etc.
11:30
Visit to the Basque Parliament. 45 minutes.
12:45
Civic centres and legislation on consultations and Association of
Councils of Alava: Ibaiondo
14:00
Lunch – Escuela de Cocina
15:30
Departure from Vitoria/Gasteiz for Laguardia (Rioja Alavesa)
Journey time - 1 hour
16:30
Tour of Laguardia
17:20
Journey from Laguardia to the Marqués el Riscal winery in Elciego
17:30-19:00
Marqués de Riscal winery – Designed by architect Frank Gehry
Outdoor and indoor tour of the winery with tasting
session of 3 wines and snack
Tour in English / necessary to separate into 2 groups.
(Total duration: one and a half hours)
19:00-21:30
Return to Donostia/San Sebastian
The old town of Vitoria retains the medieval almond-shaped layout it had
more than eight centuries ago when Sancho VI "El Sabio" founded the
town. The historic center sits on a hill dominated by the Cathedral of Santa
Maria. Next to the Cathedral, the towers of the churches of San Miguel,
San Vicente and San Pedro are the best known elements of the city profile.
Its streets recall the trades that are settled there: Correría, Ironworks, Shoe
Store, cutlery, Pintorería ... These streets are home to the oldest and most
unique buildings in the city. Behind the cathedral, for example, are the
Portalón, a beautiful medieval brick inn, and the Tower of Anda. The
Escoriaza-Esquivel of Montehermoso remains, and today a cultural center
in the heart of Old Town, two lavish Renaissance palaces stand. On the
other side, you can find the Casa del Cordón, outstanding building facades,
the Bendaña Palace, a building with an annex housing the Bibat Museum.
There are also the Museums of Playing Cards and Archeology, Church of
San Vicente, the Villasuso Palace and the Mirador de los Arquillos.
Visit to the Basque Parliament
This is the regional legislative level, within the 4 basic levels that exist in
the Spanish State: state level (Spain), regional (Basque Country), provincial
(Gipuzkoa) and Local (Donostia / San Sebastian).
Visit to the Civic Center at Palace of Europe
This is key infrastructure for participatory democracy in Vitoria/Gasteiz.
We will have the opportunity to delve into the political and equipment of
the city, as well as the rules of consultations that are being developed. We
will have a presentation organized by Jose Luis Perez "Cotelo", Director of
the City Department of Participation for Vitoria/Gasteiz.
In addition, the Association of Councils of Alava will talk about the system
of electing representatives (elected directly, without representation)
government and small municipalities.
The we head further south (50 km) to
The town of Laguardia
This is a walled town that in the past was important watchtower but today
welcomes you with open arms and excellent food and wine. The medieval
layout of the narrow streets of Laguardia, the access doors to the villa and
the remains of walls will move over time. There are remains of Neolithic or
the Bronze Age settlements found in the vicinity and are the oldest
discovered farming communities in Euskadi. Once on the streets, you
come to visit one of the jewels of the Basque art and polychrome portico,
the Church of Santa Maria de los Reyes, whose oldest pieces date from the
twelfth century, and San Juan Bautista, which has interesting pieces of
religious art as the main altarpiece, a spectacular baroque piece. The villa is
surrounded by wineries and it will not be difficult to check on this wine by
visiting the basement of a hotel establishment. Wine is a product that has
marked the life and history of Laguardia, so you cannot help but try. You
also will be spoiled opportunities in the surrounding wineries, many of
which present the visitor with avant-garde architectural styles.
After a short trip (8km) we will reach the
Marques de Riscal Winery
Our visit to the cellars of Marques de Riscal, designed by renowned
Canadian architect Frank O. Gehry will conclude this full day of discovering
the Basque Country. There will be wine tasting and nibbles.
Later in the evening we travel back to Donostia-San Sebastian (150km)
Wednesday, November 16: The Land, the Sea and the Democratic City
On Wednesday morning, we will visit Pasajes San Juan and San Pedro, hear about the
DSS2016 project (European Capital of Culture) and the problem of waste management.
We will then return to Donostia/San Sebastian to learn about its proximity policies and
amenities and the sub-municipal levels of government (management): intention of
districts, minor organs of government.
09.00 Meeting Point: Donostia-San Sebastian City Hall
09:00
Departure from Donostia/San Sebastian for Pasajes San Juan
09:30
Tour of the streets of San Juan.
Boat to Pasajes San Pedro (7 minutes)
11:00
San Pedro: visit to the Alba Ola shipyard in Ondartxo (duration 1
hour),
construction of San Juan, one of the DSS2016 projects
Coffee/refreshment
12:00
Travel to Intxaurrondo.
Proximity centres and decentralisation models
12:30
We will travel to the centre of Donostia/San Sebastian:Women's
Centre
13:30 End
The old town of Pasai Donibane (12 km from City Hall) extends around a
single street. It starts in the Bizkaia quarter and continues to Alabortza
Creek. The cobbled and narrow streets make a really welcoming
environment. Starting with the Bizkaia district we can admire the Platain
House, a building apparently built in the XVI century and half-brick
masonry. It preserves interesting stone-carved eaves and an open gallery
adjoining garden. The adjacent house is from the eighteenth century, with
a sober masonry facade and interesting eaves and balconies; It is a typical
example of construction in a deep and narrow plot. Then we enter the
Donibane street. Walking through this area, we find curious passages
under the houses that define urban areas. In addition, there are many
buildings of great interest to call our attention.
At the beginning of our walk, we find the parish church of San Juan, which
has a Latin cross and is built with sandstone ashlar stone. Opposite the
Parish Church also we find the Arizabalo palace, the current Town Hall that
constitutes one of the most important buildings of the place. The Palace
can be dated in the 17th century, and it is baroque. It is a beautiful building
with a substantially square with gabled roof. The main facade has a
symmetrical composition, and in the middle a beautiful shield where two
towers appear. Also, many homes adorn the streets of the old town. They
are classified by numbers and each has features that attract attention. The
16th century Miranda House offers Renaissance style. It is a rectangular
building covering three bodies of water. It consists of ground floor and
three floors. Stresses in the two columns are semi-recessed into the wall,
and display a shield. One of them corresponds to the lineage of San Millán
de Zizurkil and the other, although very deteriorated, may be of
Villaviciosa.
And attached to this house is the popular Gaviria house better known as
Casa Victor Hugo. This typical Pasaia, with direct access to the Bay, was
built in the 17th century, and it held Victor Hugo during his stay in Pasaia in
1843. There is a fitting tribute not only to the valuable testimony of
drawings and writings that Hugo left us, but those who throughout history
have also left their mark paying tribute to this great writer.
Leaving this house and through another arch, we arrive at the pier, in front
of which we find the Shrine of Mercy, formed by two stone columns with
cylindrical shaft and beautiful Mannerist capitals. Inside is an altar, and
above it, an image consisting of a cross and the image of Ntra. Sra. De la
Piedad. This humilladero can be considered popular Renaissance style.
From remote dates to the sixteenth century, pasaitarras used to celebrate
in this place, a memory enlivened with typical instruments of our land,
txistu and tabor.
Next to this shrine is the majestic Villaviciosa Palace, a magnificent
Renaissance house of the sixteenth century, with the walls of ashlar stone
well carved. On the main facade of this beautiful building is a plaque
commemorating the departure of the Marques de Lafayette, in 1777, to the
war of American independence.
At the foot of the stairs, we start ascending to the hermitage of Santa Ana,
the construction that guards the entrance of the harbor and the bay.
Although we don’t have many details about its origin, it is known that it
was rebuilt in 1758. It houses the image of Santa Ana, which was acquired
in Flanders in 1573, and taken by sea to Pasaia.
We then go down the stairs and back again to cross another arch that will
lead us to the Plaza de Santiago where we will see a long row of houses,
narrow and high, and with seafaring folk architecture. These homes, which
can be three, four and five floors, have continuous balconies that occupy
the entire facade, usually with wooden railings and painted, like carpentry,
different colors. Among them reappears the building of the former town
hall dating from 1735. (It’s Baroque). Rectangular with a gabled roof, the
building is a type of construction that does not fully respond to the
buildings of the Basque town councils that offer great arches.
Leaving this square we will find the Basilica del Santo Cristo de Bonanza,
first parish of Pasai Donibane (San Juan), in the seventeenth century, when
it was under the patronage of San Juan de la Ribera. On the west facade of
the Temple there is a door called "Lintxua". It was used as a shelter during
bad weather, while waiting for fishing or merchant. It presents a series of
incisions or carvings depicting various types of vessels. Their silhouettes
are most of the eighteenth century and some of the XIX. The design of the
altarpiece is a baroque discreet. In the center of the main altar stands the
Santo Cristo de Bonanza, which by their ruddy hair betrays his English
origin. Jerome probably work Larrea (XVII century). Continuing the way,
before reaching the end of the route, we find Santa Isabel Castle, a fortress
built in 1621 to protect the port of Pasajes. These ruins, today called
Castillo Santa Isabel, were ordered to be built by Emperor Charles I to
protect the port from possible attacks of foreign war ships or pirates
moving in the vicinity of this village. We must stress that this whole area
faces the bay of Pasaia, and it is common to see the arrival and departure
of vessels. Moreover, the Ulia and Jaizkibel mountains are responsible for
sheltering the area.
Visit to the Albaola shipyard
We cross by boat from San Juan to San Pedro and visit Albaola in Ondartxo
Shipyard, where the Nao San Juan, one of the most significant projects of
the European Capital of Culture rebuilds.
With the construction of historic vessels as the main activity, Albaola
Basque Maritime Factory, located in San Pedro Flights (Pasaia, Gipuzkoa),
is an innovative space that recovers and values vthe industrial maritime
technology. The Factory is open to the public and is characterized by its
dynamism, the diversity of its activities and its international projection.
Shipbuilding, the International School of wooden boats, the sailing school,
workshop naval model, the corner of the cabin boy, programming by
performing arts theater sea and volunteer group Auzolan make a creative
universe intended to raise awareness of the maritime past of the Basque
Country.
Stop at Nao San Juan
Built in Pasaia, the whaler San Juan is an example of the first transoceanic
cargo ships sailed from the Basque Country to Newfoundland. A reflection
of the splendor and global hegemony of the Basque maritime industry, San
Juan sanks off the coast of Canada in Red Bay in 1565.
More than 400 years later, in 1978, the Canadian team of Parks Canada
archeology found and investigate the wreck in an underwater excavation
exemplary for the world of maritime archeology. After more than 30 years
of study, it is the sixteenth-century merchant vessel that is best known and
has become the icon symbolizing the Underwater Cultural Heritage.
Within the European Cultural Capital Donostia / San Sebastián 2016 and
with the scientific support of the Government of Canada, the nao San Juan
was rebuilt in Pasaia. As it did in linking Europe with America in the
sixteenth century, the galleon San Juan will allow the two countries to
navigate the future from a shared past.
http://www.albaola.com/es
Visit to the cultural centers and decentralization models
Visit the Cultural Center Inchaurrondo and have the opportunity to know
the policies proximity of Donostia / San Sebastián, as well as policies and
models of decentralization deasarrollan in the city.
House of the women
In the city center we will get to know the Casa de las Mujeres, a comanaged equipment by the Department of Equality of the City and a group
of women's associations and feminist.
End of the Briefing tour at 13.30; The Forum starts at 18.30 at City Hall.