In the 1950s , the tradition of celebrating the festivals in honor of Saint Sebastian began as a way of collecting funds for repairing the buildings of the church of San José in Old San Juan . After several years , the tradition was discontinued until 1970 , when the archeologist , historian , and anthropologist Ricardo Alegría suggested to Rafaela Balladares , a resident of San Sebastián Street , that they resume the tradition .
Khä 1950 uka pachan San Sebastian tatar amtañ saräw phunchhawix qalltäna qhaysa Viejo San Juan uksana San José iglesia utanakamp chikt ’ atak uka yaqhip altus utanak askichañatakiw qullqinak apthapitäna , saräwix 1970 uka markamaw saräna , kunawsatix arqueólogo , historiador , antropólogo Ricardo Alegría yatxatirix Rafaela Balladares juparuw amuyt ’ ayäna , Calle San Sebastián ukhjan mä samarañ ut utjañapataki , ukjamat saräwix sarxaruñapataki .