Spain. Basque Country. Balmaseda (in Basque and officially, in Spanish: Valmaseda) is a town and municipality located in the province of Biscay. Since 1770, Balmaseda has celebrated the traditional Holy Week parade symbolizing the passion of Christ. Over 800 locals participate each year to prepare the festival, rehearsing and preparing for the event over the course of the year. As part of the Easter celebrations, the residents of Balmaseda dress in elaborate costume and re-enact the last hours of Christ's life. On Good Friday the Balmaseda parade performs reenactments that tell the story of Holy Week including: Pontius Pilot, the way of the cross and the crucifixion. Good Friday is a Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Calvary. It is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum. It is also known as Holy Friday, Great Friday, Great and Holy Friday (also Holy and Great Friday). The Basque Country (Euskadi, País Vasco, Pays Basque), officially the Basque Autonomous Community (Euskal Autonomia Erkidegoa, Comunidad Autónoma Vasca, CAV) is an autonomous community in northern Spain. It includes the Basque provinces of Álava, Biscay, and Gipuzkoa. The Basque Country or Basque Autonomous Community was granted the status of nationality within Spain, attributed by the Spanish Constitution of 1978. The autonomous community is based on the Statute of Autonomy of the Basque Country, a foundational legal document providing the framework for the development of the Basque people on Spanish soil. 17.04.92 © 1992 Didier Ruef