euskalkultura.eus

Bordeaux, France.  As every year the International Day of Music was again given wide coverage in the Euskal Etxea in Bordeaux that celebrated another edition of the Fête de la Musique.  The event gathered a large audience, just a few less than in previous years, due to the threat of rain.  “We were afraid of rain up until the last moment,” David Mugica, club president, told EuskalKultura.com.  “Nevertheless many people gathered, and as usual the majority of them were not even club members and many more weren’t even Basque.”  This is one of our most participative events in our club.

The program of activities began with performance by the club’s choirs Bestalariak and Etxekoak that both gave recitals, and a concert by a group created by member Alain Selva.  Following, the festival continued with a concert by the group Mizpirarrak, who came expressly from Iparralde to participate. “They consist of two musicians, a drummer and an accordion, and both sing.  They provided great atmosphere for the public dance at the Place des Basques with Basque dance but also with other kinds of music.  The party went until 1:30 in the morning,” Mugica explained.

[Performance by Etxekoak at the Place des Basque (photo BordeleEE)]

[A number of people stayed at the concerts until dawn (photo BordeleEE)]

While the concerts were going on outside, Alain Selva’s group was playing inside.  At the last minute three musicians from Bretagne joined the festival and a musician that played the djembe, a percussion instrument from Africa.  “They were passing by the club and joined in the party.  It was really something to hear Basque songs to the rhythm of the djembe,” said Mugica.  Everyone was very happy with the event, its organizers as well as those who attended.

[Alain Selva’s group continued to entertain with an improvised concert inside the clubhouse (photo BordeleEE)]

More information on Bordeaux’s Euskal Etxea on its website.