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As every year, Basque descendants on the islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon celebrated their traditional Basque Festival, creating a lively atmosphere on the main plaza in Saint Pierre.  The festival, organized by the Zazpiak Bat Basque Club and the Basque Pilota League, took place on August 13-21 with several activities, like a pilota tournament, Basque dancing performances, and rural Basque sports exhibitions with audience participation.  The group Xutik came expressly from the Basque Country, to provide the soundtrack for the festivities. 

Saint Pierre & Miquelon.   The 2016 Basque Festival, the 35th edition, again filled the archipelago of Saint Pierre & Miquelon, a French territory on the northern coast of Canada, with Basque ambience. Thousands of kilometers from the Basque Country, the Zazpiak Bat Basque Club and the Basque Pilota League of Saint Pierre & Miquelon continue to keep this spirit alive, that they share with their neighbors every month of August.

Music of Xutik

This year, the festivities took place from August 13-21, with a complete program of activities. On Saturday, August 13^th the festivities began strong with a gastronomic evening, with entertainment provided by Xutik, who came expressly from Iparralde for the event.

During the week, there were pilota matches in various categories at the fronton in Saint Pierre, build in 1909 and one of the best-know Basque symbols as well as most photographed places on the islands.  There were also dinners and two more concerts by Xutik, who performed tirelessly all week.

Rural Sports for Everyone

On the weekend the highlight of the festivities took place.  On Saturday, the txikis were the stars and enjoyed trying various rural sports.  Afterwards, the finals of the pilota tournament took place in front of a large crowd.

On Sunday, the day began with a meal, followed by more pilota exhibitions, and a Basque dance performance by the local dance group Orok Bat.  This was followed by another exhibition of herri kirolak, that included attempts by various adults who wanted to try, and there were many!  The festivities concluded with a dance once again to the music of Xutik.