The Floral Games stood out in 1883, 1914, and 1925.
Floral Games 1883Organized by the Euskara Association of Navarre, the Euskalerria Society of Bilbao, and the City Council of Fuenterrabia. Held on September 7, 8, and 9. There was unusual liveliness. September 9 was dedicated to the historical-literary contest. No prizes were awarded for the best Basque works due to lack of quality. The “silver medal” of the Euskara Association was awarded to the legend Aztua by Antonio Arzac y Alberdi. The “silver medal” of the Euskalerria Society to the verse composition Uste ez neban ordu bat by Arrese Beitia. A “bronze medal”, accessit, to D. Cayetano Sánchez. A “silver medal” for the best singable poetry on the topic of fueros to Gure Ama gaberik ez gintezke bizi by Claudio Otaegui. Additional prizes were awarded to the poems Nere erriko ujola by Arrese Beitia and Arbol maite bati signed “Euskaldun bat.” The City Council hired the bertsolaris Pedro Otaño, Juan José Alcain (Udarregui), Pedro Elicegui, and Juan Bautista Aurquia (Gorriya) for the festivities. The music and drumming competitions were lively. On Sunday, September 9, prize-giving took place in the Consistorial Hall, presided over by the mayor, the last provincial deputy D. Fermín de Sagarmínaga de Biscay, and D. Arturo Campión. Srs. Arrese Beitia and Otaegui read their compositions, including one of the most moving by Arrese Beitia, read by D. Arturo Campión. The jury consisted of: José Iriarte, Iturralde y Suit, Teófano Cortés, Arturo Campión.
Floral Games 1914Euskaras Festivals and Literary Contest. The celebrations were suspended as a mark of mourning for the European war, but the jury’s decisions were announced:
Topic I: Historical compendium of Fuenterrabia. Submissions: 2. Prize: none awarded.
Topic II: Geography of Guipúzcoa, Biscay, Alava, or Navarre for children. Submissions: 4. Prize of 150 pts to D. Eugenio Urroz y Erro for Gipuzkoako azalben laburra. Second prizes of 50 pts to P. Román María de Bera (Lutelestia) and D.ª Ignacia Pradere (Gipuzkoa'ren lurrazalbena).
Topic III: Biography of painter Echena. Submissions: 2. Prize: none. Second prize of 50 pts to D. Felipe Ayerbe for J.I. Echenagusiaren bizitza.
Topic IV: Play for children. Submissions: 1. Prize: none.
Topic V: Adaptation of a Trueba story. Submissions: 5. Prize 100 pts to Ziñistuten dot Jaungoikoagan by D. José Manuel de Echeita. Second prize 50 pts to Urikoa, same author. Third prizes 25 pts to Jon-uso by D. Nicasio Larrea and Ukulluko aurrea by D. Sebastián Gaztañaga. Honorary mention for Ugaz ama by D. Nicasio Larrea (published despite late submission).
Topic VI: Poetic composition dedicated to the fisherman (arrantzale). Submissions: 5. Prize: none. Second prizes 50 pts to Ondarrabi'ko arrantzalea by P. Román María de Bera; Arrantzale baten urrumak by D. Ramón Inzagaray; ¡Itxasora! by D. José García Goldaraz.
Topic VII: Collection of riddles. Submissions: 1. Prize: none. Second prize 20 pts to D. Federico Garralda.
Topic VIII: Collection of maxims to preserve the Basque language. Submissions: 3. Prize: none.
Topic IX: Collection of maxims against alcoholism. Submissions: 5. Prize 25 pts to P. Dámaso de Inza (Ordikeria). Honorary mention to D. Blas Pradere (Edaleentzat gogoangarriyak).
Topic X: Collection of maxims encouraging saving. Submissions: 2. Prize: none.
Topic XI: Collection of maxims promoting respect for authorities and elders. Submissions: 2. Prize: none. Honorary mention: Aundigoai eta aginbideai zor zayoten begiruea, by D. Blas Pradere and Urruti.
Floral Games 1925Finally…! read Gegrorio Mújica’s article. September 3–13. Organized by the Diputación and the City Council. Religion, language, art, science, and economy were harmoniously combined in the program.
Day 3: Arrival of cattle for the exhibition. Concert by the city band conducted by D. Jesús de Jáuregui.
Day 4: Bertsolari session from a balcony by the sea, aizkolaris competition (lumberjacks). Concert and open-air cinema in the evening.
Day 5: Fine Arts exhibition, solemn reception by the Diputación, Salve in the parish church. Houses illuminated with colored lanterns, more concerts.
Day 6: Grand procession and High Mass, exhibition of dantzari-txikis, football match.
Day 7: Drummers competition. Prize-giving and literary-musical festival in Miramar gardens. Poems read by Claudio Sagarzazu, brief lecture by Mourlane Michelena, and musical pieces performed by Orfeón vergarés.The Euskaras festivities concluded, giving way to patron saint celebrations until September 13, with bersolaris contests and Basque theater by the Rentería Dramatic Group.