Tonight’s the night! At midnight, the drums will take over the city of Donosti, and everyone will pour into the streets to celebrate.
The first two images are from the very first Tamborrada I took part in. You can spot me in the first one (back row, looking straight at the camera, just as Mum had instructed). It was the first time our school ever joined the parade (according to the official website, a year before girls were officially allowed to part take as drummers 🤣 )
I’m not sure if I’ve shared this story before, hopefully not.
Our school liked to do things with a bang, and that year they went all out, hiring the garden of the Satrustegi Palace (what’s happening to that building is a story for another day) and a professional photographer to capture the troupes with the bay as a backdrop.
To cut a long story short, the photographer did not bring a scaffolding to get high enough, so the results weren’t quite what anyone had dreamt of. But that wasn’t the only of biggest mishap.
It had rained the night before, and everyone worried the parade might be cancelled. But the organisers decided to go ahead, so we followed the plan. Parents dropped us off at the palace gates, and buses later took us to Alderdi Eder.
Then something unplanned happened: the walk through the garden was muddy, and our shoes and covers got filthy on the way.
I still remember thinking it was ironic but above all, I remember my mum’s face as she watched us turn the corner, muddy and exhausted, from the spot she’d carefully chosen for her and Gran to see the parade.At home, she had told us (many, many times) not to damage the brand‑new uniforms, which belonged to the school. This was… well, a bit much for her. And my dad’s jokes about “authenticity” definitely didn’t help.
The other photos are from the following year, I believe.
All that to say: Gora Donosti! 🥁
P.S. Traditionally, this is also a day when angulas a la Donostiarra are served at the Sociedades Gastronómicas, and so tomorrow I’ll be sharing a post I’ve been holding back since Christmas. Stay tuned and, in the meantime, step away from the angulas!
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