Annual visit to the Basilica of Begoña
Annual visit to the Basilica of Begoña
The Athletic Club first teams, accompanied by the board of directors, presented the Copa to the Virgin Mary of Begoña at the start of a week full of social gatherings in Ibaigane
A large representation from Athletic Club's first teams, together with president Jon Uriarte, Jose Angel Iribar, and members of the board of directors, attended the annual traditional offering to the Virgin Mary of Begoña, patron saint of Bizkaia, at Bilbao's Basilica of Begoña.
The event has been held since 1930 and on this occasion the visit was made even more special as for the first time in 40 years they also took the Copa.
As is typical, the president gave a brief speech recognising the impact past generations of footballers, directors and Club Members.
The first-team captains, Oscar de Marcos and Irene Oguiza, placed a shirt and ball on the altar. The ceremony ended with a minute's silence for all the members and supporters who passed away since last year.
Aste Nagusia events with Bilbao City Council and Basque Government
Additionally, on Monday morning, institutional receptions were held in Ibaigane for the Bilbao City Council and the Basque Government.
With Bilbao's 'Big Week' (Aste Nagusia in Basque) now upon us, the Mayor, Juan Mari Aburto, accompanied by councillors and other city council representatives, kicked off a week of social and institutional meetings at the Club's headquarters.
At midday on Monday, before the visit to the Basilica of Begoña, representatives of the Basque Government also came to Ibaigane.