euskalkultura.eus

Arrokiaga, Zuberoa.  The pastoral “Ameriketan euskaldunak – Jose Mendiague” (Basques in America – Jose Mendiague) will be presented in Arrokiaga on Sunday July 29 and again on August 5.  Author of the work is Zuberoan musician Jean Bordaxar and his hometown, Arrokiaga, is also in charge of taking it to the stage. 

The star of the work is Jose Mendiague from Aldude, a very important personality in the South American Diaspora, but who was for many almost an unknown until 1992, when academic Piarres Xarriton gathered and published his complete work.  Mendiague left for America at age 18 and lived in Argentina, Chile, and most of all in Uruguay.  He wrote in Basque and some of his works have been published in magazines such as Euskal Erria and in Haitza from Montevideo, as well as in Eskualduna and Eskualdun Ona in Bayonne among others. His influence in the diffusion of the Basque culture and revitalizing the connection between the Basque community and Euskal Herria made him a very relevant personality in the “Eight Province,” despite his remaining an unknown to many.  

They are hoping for 3,500 spectators

The pastoral on Mendiague can be seen in Arrokiaga on July 29 and the town has prepared 3,500 chairs for the audience, even though the capacity could be increased if necessary.  It will be a festive day that will begin around 10:30 with mass sung by actors in the pastoral, followed by lunch that is open to the public.  The pastoral itself will begin at 15:30.

Jean-Fabien Lechardoy, from Barkoxe will be directing the choir and stars of the show are Rene Oyhenart (adult Mendiague), Xantiana Etxebest (his wife Margarita Gandiola), Beñat Larrori (young Mendiague) and Maider Larrori (young Margarita).  In the August 5 performance the principal actors will be Pascale Bidabe, Bernadette Agor, Alain Orabe, Jeannot Agor and Rene Larrori.  Sophie Larrandaburu and Maddalen Orabe are in charge of the songs and dances.  The work also includes traditional South American dances that were taught by Alberto Caccuri, originally of Argentina but who resides in Maule.

Here is the pastoral rehearsal in an excellent report done by Kanaldude TV: http://www.kanaldude.tv/Jose-Mendiague-Pastorala-mustraka_v1447.html

Following, a video of the July 15 performance, precisely during the South American dances: