euskalkultura.eus

From June 16th through the 18th the banks of the Seine will be dressed in red, green and white with this weekend’s Paris-Basque festival, an annual event that provides Parisians and visitors the opportunity to approach and enjoy a selection of traditions, products, music, sports, and food from the Basque Country all in a festive atmosphere.  For three days a small Basque village will be crated in the heart of Paris at the disposition of tourists, and fans of Basque traditions.  

Paris, France.   The event will begin on Friday afternoon on the 8 Quai Saint-Exupéry, in the 16th arrondissement and will run through Saturday and Sunday until 2am on both days.  The organization encourages anyone wishing to attend wearing red and white with a red txapela (beret).

The festival offerings are wide.  There will be music and entertainment covering every bit of the enclosure.  In regards to sports, there will be pilota, in its various forms, with activities taking place on the Fronton Chiquito from Cambo that are part of the enclosure.  There will be handball games as well as xare, trinquete, pala, joko garbi, xistera, with the Champions of France, as well as demonstrations for visitors who will be encourage to play with the pelotas, palas and cestas.  There will also be rugby, a fan favorite in Iparralde that will be highlighted. The third leg of the tripode will come thanks to the herri-kirolak, Basque strength demonstrations also in its most spectacular forms.

The gastronomic offerings will probably attract the most people.  On the one had there will be local products for sale.  There will be a cider house, with its own menu.  Dishes such as ham from Baiona, piperrade, cheese, chocolate, gateau Basque and other desserts, cider, wine and other liquors, will be available to enjoy.  Along with these, Basco' Street Food will also provide the opportunity to enjoy dishes by 15 chefs from Basque Country Restaurants, as well as others in Paris, like the Belhara, Iratze, or Pottoka, on opportunity to try their delicacies.

In regards to entertainment there will be the Paris Txaranga, the Banda Festaire…singing thanks to the Anaiki and Ur Begi choirs, as well as Basque dance.  There will also be espartinak and a large array of other products and souvenirs available for sale including t-shirts, aprons, keychains, crafts, flags, makilas, and stickers to name a few.

• Address: 8 Quai Saint-Exupéry, in the 16th arrondissement
• Times: Friday from 6pm to 2:00am; Saturday from 9:00am to 2:00am; and Sunday from 9:00am to 2:00am
• Admission: Free and open to the public
• Dress code: Everyone is encouraged to dress in red and white and wear a red txapela
• Website with complete program: http://parisbasque.fr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paris.basque