Asociación Ballets Olaeta: Itzulera – Jaietan

The Ballets Olaeta – Olaeta Balleta Elkartea Association is debuting its brand new show at the Arriaga Theatre with a double programme: “Itzulera” and “Jaietan”.

“Itzulera” (The return) portrays the last few days in the life of the Basque writer Andima Ibiñagabeitia. It is 1967; he is exiled in Caracas and is preparing to return to Bilbao after so many years away. He is ill and dreams of flying in an aeroplane and looking out of the window to see the different corners of Bizkaia: the Elantxobe of his childhood, bombed-out Gernika, the traditional farmhouses in the area of Gorbea and the industrial city of Bilbao. And he recounts this supposed return to his friend Jon Mirande in a letter. But this letter was never written, and Ibiñagabeitia never returned to the place of his birth. It was just a dream before he died.

In “Jaietan”, the children and youth ballet reflects on the organisation and celebration of festivities. After working hard, we return home and leave to one side our daily obligations to enjoy the celebration(s). We have to make sure we are thoroughly prepared and that no detail is forgotten. The aim is to put normal daily life to one side and enjoy everything our town has to offer us, with the participation of everyone.