The 'Pirates of San Sebastian' sail down the city's river during the Great Week festival

The city of San Sebastian in the Basque Country of Spain celebrates the 15th of August with the Semana Grande, the “Great Week”. A large number of activities and events are organised throughout the city, from a famous international fireworks contest and a parade of big-heads to street performances.

During the Semana Grande, the people of San Sebastian (or Donostia, as it’s called in Basque) dine out with friends and families, attend special nights at local pubs, and also sail down the river towards the Playa de la Concha in makeshift rafts.

The event is called Abordaje, the Boarding, and the people who participate in it are known as Donostiako Piratek in Basque, meaning “the Pirates of San Sebastian”. See the colourful pictures of this year’s event down here.