Euskal Encounter kicks off in Bilbao

On Friday, the 19th edition of Euskal Encounter kicks off in the Bilbao Exhibition Center (BEC) in Barakaldo, and will continue until July 25th, during which a variety of activities, games and forums focussing on technology will run simultaneously. On the encounter''s opening day tournaments will include Fast Modding and Hack It/Solve It.

Over four days, more than 6,000 techno-fans will pack into the BEC''s 35,000 square metres to enjoy the latest in digital art, free software, computer games and competitions.

One section will be dedicated to Digital Art, a forum in which guests can learn, create, share and present their own digital work.

Those interested in technology we have an opportunity to experience the latest hardware, access free software and take part in the Hack It or Solve It contests, in which participants solve a series of challenges and tests based on hacking, reverse engineering, cryptography, logic and puzzles.

In this year''s edition, the Gamegune section brings together twenty-four teams from more than 15 countries in a professional tournament of Counter Strike 1.6 in which participants will battle it out for 22,500 euros in prize money.

In total, there are more than 50,000 euros in prize money to be won in video games, while less serious computer fun can be enjoyed with activities such as the frikitest test, Soccer 3 and Air Guitar.