To commemorate its forty years of existence, Beti Jai Alai has reconstructed different festive situations from ancient Bilbao. They present four periods that have marked the history of the Villa of Bilbao, in which dance is the common denominator that stands out in the city’s joyful social gatherings.

The first period, set in the 16th century, features tournaments and dance numbers performed by the high society of that time, following the European dance trends, although the women’s dresses and hairdos were considered to have been made in Vizcaya at that time.

The second period highlights the Villa’s most important celebration during the 17th and 18th centuries, the Corpus Christi Festivity, employing all the elements used in its celebration.

The third period, the age of the carnivalesque, is displayed with characters and classical dances and songs that formed part of this deeply-rooted celebration in the city of Bilbao, as reflected in documentary sources from the 19th century and in the writings of Emiliano de Arriaga.

The last period offers an overview of the elements that the neighbouring Parish churches of Abando, Begoña and Deustro considered as an integral part of their local festivity, featuring sword dances, traditional ‘aurresku’ dances and celebrations, which were highly esteemed by the people of Bilbao and greatly praised by many foreign writers.