Women and the Alardes from Hondarribia and Irún

Abstract

This article analyses the proposal of a group of women from Irún and Hondarribia to take
part in the parade which is held during the local annual festival and which up till now has
been dominated by men. The proposal of a wider female participation has generated strong
opposition, based on arguments of immovable tradition and monolithic history. Those in
favour of the change argue on the basis of rights, but also use alternative conceptos of
tradition and different interpretations of history in order to defend their position. The article
examines the conceptual basis of these arguments and endeavours to uncover the underlying
issues which provide the keys to interpreting the opposition to the change in terms of
maintaining women in an asymmetrical structure, supported by a certain system of values and
vision of local identity.