· Home page ·
[THE ENCLAVE]
The enclave
[THE HISTORY]
The history
[HERITAGE]
Heritage
[THE JACOBEAN WAY]
The Jacobean Way
[THE SETTING]
The setting
[SERVICE GUIDE]
Service guide
 · THE SETTING
 · FIESTAS AND FOLKLORE
[See map of the area]

On this side of the Pyrenean, in addition to the local holidays of each town, there are also customs that have been also established as real celebrations and have become an even wider standing as the first ones. This is the case of the Aezkoa valley Day (Aezkoako Eguna), the pilgrimages to Orreaga- Roncesvalles, "los bolantes" from Luzaide-Valcarlos or the cattle brand in Sorogain.


Pilgrimage of young people from the valley to Roncesvalles.

  • The Aezkoa valley Day (Aezkoako Eguna). The third weekend of September and rotating (each year in one of the nine towns), the feast of the fraternity is celebrated between the neighbours of Aezkoa and all the people who want to participate. The Day of the Aezkoa Valley or "Aezkoako Eguna" is a traditional feast around the area. During the weekend take place some expositions (ethnographical, pictures, crafts, etc.) theatre plays for children, "bertsolaris", typical dances, rural sport, "contest and auction of the cheeses of the Irati area", toss and a popular meal "ziriko jate". All these activities entertained with music to dance and have fun.

  • Orreaga-Roncesvalles : Pilgrimages every Sunday during May and June. The 8th of September is the celebration of the Virgin' s Day from Orreaga- Roncesvalles.


    "Los bolantes" from Luzaide-Valcarlos.

  • "Los bolantes de Luzaide-Valcarlos": The local holidays are celebrated in Santiago the 25th June. Although, the prime example of this village are "Los bolantes de Valcarlos-Luzaide", that on Sunday of Resurrection takes place. The tradition demands the "dantzaris" (local dancers) to go around the streets of the village and go down the Ibañeta pass, what makes of it, a musical and colourful "fiesta" during the whole day.


    Cattle brand in Sorogain.

  • The cattle brand in Sorogain: every year, around the 2nd Saturday of May and the 2nd Saturday of September, takes place in Sorogain the cattle brand in the Erro and Baigorri valleys. This activity has become a small fiesta, to which go cattlemen from both sides of the "muga", and also visitors.

  • Auritz- Burguete: it is important to talk about the San Juan' s bonfires, which have here their best prime example and happen at the same time that the local holidays the 23rd and 24th of June. It is also very popular the "Feria de Artesanía", the 2nd Sunday in August and Feria de Ganado which takes place the last Sunday in September.

The other Patron fiestas of the valley are:

  • Garralda: The 1st Sunday of September.

  • Aribe: The 2nd Sunday of September In the hermit of San Joaquín are celebrated the pilgrimages to which everyone from the Aezkoa valley goes.

  • Aria: Sunday of Pentecost.

  • Villanueva de Aezcoa- Hiriberri: The last Sunday of May.

  • Garaioa: 29th of May.

  • Abaurrepea- Abaurrea Baja: The Sunday after Aria.

  • Abaurregaina- Abaurrea Alta: 29th of June.

  • Orbara: 15th of August.

  • Orbaizeta: 29th of June.

  • Are also important the patron fiestas of Aurizberri- Espinal, which are celebrated the last Sunday of August.