The Lehendakari attended the ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of the bonbing of durango

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Lehendakari Iñigo Urkullu, the Basque Premier, attended the commemorative event to mark the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Durango and to remember the more than 300 people who were killed then. The Lehendakari also stressed that the perpetrators and instigators of that crime, who have never admitted their responsibility, have an "excellent opportunity" to condemn the crimes committed and recognise the victims.

Between 17 March and 6 April, Durango hosted over twenty activities to mark the 80th anniversary, including the tribute to the victims of the Spanish Civil War, talks, film sessions, workshops and exhibitions of the ilk of Picasso from Durango to Guernica at the Art and History Museum.  

Today's remembrance service at the Santa María de Uribarri Basilica was attended by the Basque Government's spokesperson and Minister for Public Governance and Self-Government, Josu Erkoreka, its Minister for Health, Jon Darpón, its Minister for Security, Estefanía Beltrán de Heredia, and its Justice and Labour Minister, Mª Jesús San José, along with the director of the Gogora Institute, Aintzane Ezenarro. The town's mayor, Aitziber Idigoras, led the Durango Local Council delegation. Three descendants of victims of the bombing also spoke during the ceremony and a video on the event was also shown. There were also dance and txalaparta (traditional Basque percussion instrument) performances. 

As well as remembering the victims and recognising "those people who fought to defend freedom and democracy", the Lehendakari stressed the Basque Government's commitment to keeping the memory alive. Urkullu criticised the fact that the perpetrators and instigators of the bombing had not acknowledged their responsibility and added that they now have "an excellent opportunity" to "reject the unlawful uprising that overthrew the Republic", to denounce the bombing of the civilian opportunity, condemn the crimes committed and recognise the victims. He also regretted that the Spanish Government had not paid tribute to these victims.