IThere will, for sure, be a lot of people on Saturday, December 21, at the Orok Bat stadium, to welcome Olentzero, this character from Basque mythology, coal burner by trade, who returns every year to bring light. The Kimua ikastola pulls out all the stops to receive it with dignity.
Over the years, this meeting has grown significantly. “The mobilization around Olentzero has continued to grow,” says Fabien Mendiboure, member of the Kimua parents’ association. “The ikastola is still at the base of the organization of its arrival, but associations like Ibaialde and Angeluarrak are very involved. »
It is an opportunity for the young students of the immersive school to meet their classmates from the bilingual classes of the Anglet public schools and the Stella-Maris private school. Everyone does preparatory work to learn who Olentzero really is and the one who accompanies him, Mari Domingui.
Mari Domingui on a mule
“In the real story, she does not arrive with him, but she is a messenger, who comes to announce his arrival,” explains Fabien Mendiboure. This year, she will be in front, perched on a mule. »
Like every year, there will also be the black-headed Manex and sasi ardi sheep of Ramuntxo Clausell, the Angloy shepherd, who also raises donkeys, goats and pottok. There will also be horses with their riders. But they don’t come from an equestrian center.
“They are the symbol of what happened around Olentzero,” says Fabien Mendiboure. They came through a network of friends, out of a desire to participate. »
For several years, a large crowd, made up of children, but also their parents, their teachers and participants, has come to enjoy the festive atmosphere created by the arrival of the charcoal burner, which crosses the Pignada forest.
Dance and Music
The gathering will take place at the Orok Bat stadium from where the departure will be given at 10:30 a.m., to reach the Pignada gymnasium, 1 Allée Raoul-Follereau, crossing the forest. The members of Errobiko joaldunak, from Saint-Pierre-d’Irube, will also be along for the ride, as will the dancers from Angeluarrak and the members of the musical group from Ibailade and the gaiteros from Ustaritz, Baigorri and Bayonne .
Between Orok Bat and the Pignada gymnasium, the parade will make a stop near the Blancpignon post office, to be joined by nursery students from the different schools, in order to avoid the youngest having to walk too long.
Arrival is scheduled between 11:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. at the Pignada gymnasium. If the weather forecast is correct, the weather is forecast to be mild. Otherwise, the gym will serve as a refuge.
Seb the magician will welcome young and old. We will also dance with Jose and Kiki, while eating on site.
At 2:30 p.m., two authentic lumberjacks will come and demonstrate woodcutting, before transforming it into charcoal. Music will then take center stage, with Patrick Dumora “Watson” then with DJ Enrikolentzero and his Kimua sound system.
