Here are few more pictures from the Oñati town festival. The last two days a lot more happened. There were thousand of people in town yesterday during the day for what was kind of like an outdoor fair with farm animals, a big all you can drink hard cider fest, food, handy crafts a market with all kinds of apples and traditional music. Also there were a bunch of traditional Basque sporting events like picking up a really heavy ball over and over, picking up an anvil over and over, tossing hay with a pitch fork over a bar, chopping wood and a couple of others ones that I can't really explain. Over all there amount of people out in the streets and taking part in the activities was really amazing.After everything was over there a pro ETA march of a few hundred people calling for the release of prisoners held by the Spanish government. Most of those taking part were on the young side. It was a strange way to end the whole scene, but I guess illustrative
of the political leaning of most folks there.
3 comments:
Have you recovered from the partying?
Sounds awesome... what a way to start your year-or-so in Spain!
4:30 AM is pretty good.
How does MCC relate to the politics of it all?
In Italy, up until the 1960s or 70s, the co-ops were in many respects simply extensions of the main political parties (Red, Catholic and Social Democrat). Sometimes they were seen simply as "reservoirs of votes" for whatever party the co-op was associated with.
The co-ops still have those affiliations today, but their main purpose is to succeed as a business, not to get votes for anyone.
In fact, in one of the traditionally Red co-ops, I believe they recently elected someone from the post-fascist right wing party.
The co-ops used to be subservient to the priorities of the political parties and labor movements (in Italy). Today they are largely independent, and much more successful and much more of an influence in the market. A source of plenty of tension.
Matt, good questions. That is something that I need to explore more in depth as I begin my classes. What I can tell you is that from the outset the Coops could not afford to be political. Mondragon, or more specifically the first coops and Caja Laboral (the Bank of MCC), were found under a dictatorship, that particularly disliked Basques. The founder Arizmendiarrieta, was most certainly from a left wing tradition, however because of the political climate in Spain the Coops were forced to be political neutral. I can't really speak for the more recent history at this point however. What I do know is that the Coops have a very cozy relationship with the government in the Basque Region and can general get the laws governing coops modified to suit heir needs.
You raise a great point; it is definitely an area I need to explore in greater depth.
Well it sure sounds like you know alot for someone who just got off the boat!
How's the rest of the festival?
When do you start school... any news on that front (which MBA, internship, etc.)?
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