Celebrating traditions

OLENTZERO

Olentzero is in charge of carrying the gifts down the chimneys on the night of December 24th, and symbolizes that leap from the ancestral customs to the nine religion with his announcement of the arrival of Jesus called by the Kixmi gentiles.

As for the origen of its name, many historians agree that it means "time for good" and is also associated with the seasonal change of the night of the winter solstice.

EGUBERRI: NEW DAY or NEW SUN

December 25th, known today as Christmas Day, was for the ancient Basque tradition a day of celebration, because the winter solstice was celebrated. But in the fourth century, Pope Julius I, made the birth of Jesus coincide with the solstice the so-called "Natalis Invicti" - Festival of the unconquered sun.

GABON: CHRISTMAS EVE FIRE

Once the Olentzero arrives, and the mass of the rooster is concluded, the fire is lit in the hearth and from that old trunk, the ashes will remain that during the new year will be kept to "cure curses and evils".