For the past six months, 92 of the 130 villagers in Roquiague have been rehearsing a Souletine pastoral activity, a theatrical performance danced and performed in the Basque language and recounting the life of a character who has distinguished himself in the history of Soule. We attend the general rehearsal of "José Mendiague", written by Jean Bordachar, which tells the life of Joseph Mendiague, born in the Aldudes and who emigrated to South America.
The Basque carnival took place in the streets of Ciboure and Saint-Jean-de-Luz. This demonstration, which responds to well-established ancestral codes and inspired by characters of Basque mythology, ends in Place Louis-XIV in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, where San Pantzar, a character made responsible for all the evils, is judged and burned.
At carnival time, the young people of Licq-Athérey present the Souletine masquerade in the villages of their province. Of warrior tradition, this performance is a theatrical form that combines dance, singing and charivaric farce, with on one side the red (the good, the dancers), on the other the black (the bad, the buffoons).
In Biarritz the members of the association "The Polar Bears" sacrificed to the traditional ice bath of the First of the Year in Port-Vieux, with as a bonus a glass of champagne served in the water. Among the brave swimmers is the association’s dean, 81-year-old Betty, who bathes every day.
In Bayonne the first "festayres", those who like to party, have kicked off the traditional festivals of the city. For five days a million people will joyfully walk the streets of the city and give life to this cultural and musical gathering.
In Barcus, in the heart of the Basque Country, a game of pelota takes place between the priest in cassock and his vicar facing the teacher and the innkeeper, under the watchful eye of the population of the village.
Opening of the traditional festivals of Bayonne in the Basque Country. Bulls in the streets, traditional music and dance and festive evenings and nights punctuate this unmissable event in the Southwest.
In Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, Basques du Nord and Basques du Sud celebrate "Herri Urrats", a great annual festival around the Basque language and ikastolak, immersive schools in Basque language, like that of Cambo-les-Bains.
In the Basque Country, in the Espelette region, a sweet red pepper called "red pepper" or "Espelette pepper" is cultivated. This chilli, which benefits from a Controlled Designation of Origin (AOC), grows only a few dozen square kilometres and is harvested and packaged in a traditional way.
Joël de Rosnay, one of the pioneers of surfing in France, tells how he discovered surfing in July 1957 in Biarritz through the American screenwriter Peter Viertel. He explains in particular that the conditions offered by the beach of Biarritz are ideal.
On the occasion of the first French and European "surfing" (or surf) championship, held in Biarritz, explanations on this new sport imported from Hawaii with images of surfers in action on the waves. The winner, Michel Barland, was awarded the cup by André Dassary, operetta singer from the city.