The French Society of Friends of Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle brings together associations which, in France, share its values. Thus, the Arancou Jacquaire Association (AJA) organized on Sunday September 29, in partnership with Compostelle Landes, an annual “sporting, musical and gastronomic” day on the Tours route (GR 655).
Two walks to choose from were offered: the first leaving from the pilgrim’s lodge of Sorde-l’Abbaye (after the welcome coffee), for 16 km on the Way of Saint-Jacques with arrival in Arancou. The second left the Arancou village hall for a 14 km loop between Arancou and Viellenave-sur-Bidouze, along the banks of the Bidouze.
Church packed for the concert
A little over 70 walkers, both circuits combined, enjoyed these beautiful walks in perfectly mild and sunny weather. Enough to rejoice, among others, the president of the Jacquaire Association of Arancou, Jean-Pierre Loubet.
Aizkoa brings together 10 singers on four music stands.
Serge Lavielle
Then came the time, at the end of the afternoon, to meet at the village church in the presence of the mayor and many local personalities, including Jean-Jacques Lasserre, president of the Departmental Council.
Nearly 150 people filled the aisles to listen to the performance of two groups: Lauben, a virtuoso saxophone quartet, with a presentation punctuated with humor and more than noticed by Annie Hourdebaigt, and Aizkoa, a male choir from Bayonne who with its 10 singers in four sections and its soloists performed under the direction of Patrick Bétachet some nuggets of the very rich Basque repertoire, favoring the interpretation of songs little known or ignored by the general public.
Everyone will have noted the vocal qualities of the choir and its soloists, such as the nuances, modulations and strong moments which earned the group a nice standing ovation and two encores.
Serge Lavielle
The small 12th century church was packed during the concert given by Lauben and Aizkoa.
At the end of the concert, a very popular aperitif and grilled buffet were offered in the village village hall. Way to get to know each other, chat and listen to some covers that Aizkoa offered to the many guests.
Contact Jacquaire Association of Arancou: 06 79 48 45 24 or [email protected]
