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Zazpiak Bat in Saint Pierre et Miquelon, an archipelago of islands in Newfoundland, along with Quebec, are the most northern Basque communities in America.  Basque whalers, and later cod fishers, were the European pioneers in these waters.  Basque descendants and fans of Basque pelota are gathering today at the Zazpiak Bat Basque club, as well as at the Basque Pelota League that which boasts a century-old fronton in St. Pierre.  There is also a project underway to get in touch with more Basque clubs on the East Coast such as New England, New York, Washington or Miami. 

Saint Pierre et Miquelon.  There are 4,750 kilometers separating the Basque Country from Saint Pierre et Miquelon, an archipelago situated south of Newfoundland, off the Canadian coast.  Basque fishermen reached that point, with a few establishing themselves in the area.  Proof of this presence is clear from place names such as Port-aux-Basques, or Zazpiak Bat on the fronton in Saint Pierre.

This fronton was constructed in 1906, and since 2010 the island also has a trinquete, situated next to the Basque club.  According to David Lamoreaux, President of the League of Basque Pelota in Saint Pierre, children may begin playing pelota here at the age of five.  The League provides instruction and aids players to train with experienced teachers.  Every year a new coach comes to the island to help local players improve their skills.

The local players’ efforts are displayed once a year during the Fête Basque that takes place on the third week of August, with pelota matches, herri kirolak exhibitions, concerts by invited musicians from the Basque Country, and of course Basque food tastings.

This year, the event included the participation of an invited group from the US, from the New England Basque Club, that also provided herri kirolak and pelota exhibitions.  The experience was a very positive one and the Saint Pierre et Miquelon club is now pursuing the possibility of collaborating in more cultural and sporting activities with other east coast Basque clubs like Miami, Washington, New York, New England, or even the Parc de l'Aventure Basque in Trois Pistoles, in Quebec.

We leave you with a photo chronicle of the last Basque Festival.