ANCIENT CULTURE

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The Basque Country has a rich tradition of traditional sports, all based on the day to day hard tasks, taken to the extreme of competition, very much in keeping with the Basque idiosyncrasy. Therefore, among the rural sports or “herri kirolak”, we can highlight the “aizkolaris” (log cutters), “harrijasotzailes” (stone lifters) or “segalaris“(grass cutters), among others. These are competitions where strength is combined with ability and intelligence, and which are quite often held in the local festivals.

The boat races are also very popular, and have their origin in the traditional fishing activity of the villages, which have always lived off the sea, and where speed was of an essence if one wanted to be the first to reach a port and sell the fish to the best buyer.

Other mention must be made to the “pelota vasca”, which has gone beyond our borders. Today, we can find pelota courts throughout the 5 continents. Within this field there are different varieties: hand pelota, racket or the spectacular “cesta-punta”, a modern day version of the ancient sport which was played with a leather glove.