As is now customary in the Labourdine “capital”, the charcoal burner and his accomplice arrived by sea this Saturday, December 21. The Nive for him, the Adour for her. The soot was not only on Olentzero's dusty face but in the sooty sky that threatened the Basque party. And perhaps discouraged a part of the public… But the duo accosted.
Did he hear the clamor coming from the Roland-Barthes esplanade at the start of the afternoon? Under the marquee set up in front of the Nive, around 400 children from bilingual and ikastola schools sang songs in Basque to the glory of Olentzero, accompanied by the music of Oihana Rock.
“Coals”
Yum, candy that looks like coal!
Nicolas Mollo / SO
Olentzero and Mari Domingi went to meet them. They distributed some of their specialty treats, like this unique candy that we could call “charcoal”, or amazing little candies in the shape of a piece of coal.
The charcoal burner and his friend traveled the streets of Bayonne in a joyful procession. A journey which took them to the Basque Museum, in front of which they had to light the solstice lantern.
Nicolas Mollo / SO
The joaldunak open the way to Olentzero and Mari Domingi, in the streets of Bayonne.
Nicolas Mollo / SO
On the square in front of Bayonne Cathedral, the Errobi Kanta choir sings a few songs with Olentzero and Mari Domingi.
Nicolas Mollo / SO
New this year, the marquee erected on the Roland-Barthes esplanade, where the solstice celebration was to last until midnight.
