La Única

The first documented papers about its commencement date from 1913, but there are those who maintain it was founded in 1903. The Peña was originally formed by a group from Guipuzcoa, the neighboring region to the north-west of Navarra, among them, Pedro Ariz, Vicente Arbizu, Irisarri, Galiano, Miguel Etxeberria, José María Salcedo, Agustin Bienes and some others.

They would parade through the streets with their mandolins, accordions and guitars and they had a banner with the slogan “los de siempre” (the perpetual ones). At that time it seems that they were the only group who played string instruments as they marched through the streets and this would explain the name “La Unica” (The unique ones). Their fondness for playing music in the street occasioned some clashes with the authorities as the public would often break into spontaneous dancing in the streets at the sound of their music. In those days a poor view of such pastimes was taken by the authorities.

Their music quickly ran into problems with two other Peñas which existed in those days, but which are now long gone -The Marea and The Veleta - who protested against their parading along with them, as their string music obstructed the music being played by the other two Peña bands. Despite these teething problems the number of members gradually grew and in 1936 with the advent of the Spanish Civil War many of the members proved to be supporters of the Republican cause and were promptly shot by the supporters of the army uprising. After the war, paradoxically, the Peña renewed its activities, but this time adding the fascist laureate as an adornment to the club badge.

It was during these following years that the club began to play its well-known dance tune along with another Peña - La Jarana - and which caused some commotion between them and the authorities in a period when a strict moral code reigned in the city of Pamplona. In the 1970’s the Peña took on a new air with the introduction of woman members and soon became the first Peña to have a woman president, Txaro Pardo, who also presided over the commission of Peñas in the city.

Currently the Peña is comprised of 157 adult members and 70 children. Besides its wholehearted commitment during the fiestas of San Fermin, with its brass band and its own premises open to the public, the place is also used as a gastronomic club throughout the year. It also has a rugby team and training courses on rugby while there are also some youth football teams. It also organizes camp outings for the youngsters as well as mountain excursions. They also celebrate their annual day of the club where the brass band parades in the street after a fraternity meal shared by all the members.

The preparation for the annual Sanfermines means quite a lot of work for the committee members as well as for some of the ordinary members, who from the month of March onwards, must start to organize their attire, their entrances for the bull-fights, the running of the club bar, etc. During Sanfermines the premises is open during the 24 hours of the day and the members have the daily option of eating on the premises.

They help out in the running of the bar and look after the details about the organizing of the band and the banner which parade daily through the streets. All these costs are financed by the members fees and an important quantity of money is provided from the returns of the bar during Sanfermines. The subsidy which the Town Hall provides is tenuous since it often implies conditions which the Peña may be reluctant to accept. They do not as yet have their own web page but they do have a section under the web page of the Federation of Peñas at www.websanfermin.com .

The year of its establishment: 1903. - Attire: Scarf, sash, and straps for their footwear all in green. This was the original color of the Flag of Pamplona - and a checked smock of blue and white squares. - Members: 157 adults and the list is closed. 70 children (offspring of the members) and here there is no limit to the number. - Premises: In no.74 Jarauta street. - Telephone: 948225728.