If you’re interested in the Basque Country, there are a few things you need to know about the region. Whether in terms of heritage or history, the Basque country is very rich! In fact, this region is home to a multitude of secrets for you to discover during your trip. For example, you can take advantage of an excursion to the Basque country to discover the history of Olentzero. This word refers to an ancient character who settled in Europe during the 20th century.
Indeed, the name Olentzero refers to a character depicted in the form of a coalman. He appears at the end of December to herald the arrival of fine weather. But you may also hear Olentzero used to designate the log placed in fireplaces at the end of the year.
Olentzero is a character depicted without gifts, not to be confused with Santa Claus, for example. He’s a loner, with a rather poor and dirty appearance, but his role is to announce the arrival of the winter solstice.
This emblematic character is therefore very important in Basque life, and Olentzero is celebrated throughout the Basque country at a number of festivities. If you’re interested in discovering them, we recommend you come and enjoy the shows organized during the month of December. Olentzero is a character who conveys a positive message for the coming year and the days ahead, so it’s important to take part in the street festivities to soak up the spirit of the season.
If you haven’t yet decided when you’d like to go on vacation in the Basque Country, we suggest you discover the end of the year to celebrate Olentzero!
