2000. A new system

However, in the year 2000, this custom was changed through the initiative of the Mayor and the next two years saw the txupinazo rocket being set off by sports figures. The captain of Osasuna football club, César Palacios, was given the honor one year and the following year it fell to Fermín Tajadura, the president of Portland-San Antonio handball club when the club became champions of the European Cup that same year. In 2002, the Mayor returned once again to the rotation system of the political groups in City Hall, starting off with the largest of the opposition groups in a new series of rotations.

Up to now only some 45 people have set off the txupinazo opening rocket. The usual form is to address the crowded square in Spanish and in Basque language and to acclaim the saint. However, lately there have been some slight changes in the protocol which have given risen to some comments. But within ten seconds of setting off the rocket, the fiestas swallow up all controversies.