Festival de Force Basque de Saint-Palais

The spectacle of Basque strength since 1951

The Festival de Force Basque de Saint-Palais was born in 1951 with the ambition to showcase the traditional Basque sports that have punctuated rural life in the Basque Country for centuries. Over the decades, it has become the benchmark for Basque strength festivals, embodying "the folklore of a region, the soul of a people" and offering a unique spectacle that fascinates lovers of traditions and sports.

Six events of tradition and power

The festival pits eight teams from Lower Navarre and Soule against each other, representing the villages of Baigorry, Gabat, Juxue, Moncayolle, Ordiarp, Saint-Jean-le-Vieux, Saint-Martin-d'Arbéroue, and Saint-Palais. The 120 competitors face off in six traditional events:

• Soka tira (tug-of-war): two teams compete in a test of collective strength
• Segari (wood sawing): lumberjacks demonstrate their endurance and technique
• Orga joko (cart lifting): a competitor lifts a weighted cart using only the strength of their arms
• Sakulari (wheat sack race): runners carry a sack of wheat on their shoulders over a timed distance
• Lasto altsari (straw bale lifting): the bale is thrown as high as possible using a pitchfork
• Aizkolari (lumberjacks): lumberjacks chop logs with axes with impressive speed

The Southwest Shield

The eight teams compete for the prestigious Sud Ouest newspaper shield, a trophy awarded to the winning team. This competition sparks intense sporting rivalry between the participating villages, with each community sending its best athletes to defend its colors. Musical interludes and Basque songs punctuate the competition and maintain the atmosphere in the stands of the fronton.

A festive and convivial event

Beyond the sporting competition, the Basque Strength Festival is a moment of festivity and conviviality. Ticket sales open at 2 p.m., and the events begin at 3 p.m. Food and drink stalls offer local specialties throughout the afternoon. Stalls selling traditional products allow visitors to discover local crafts. The passionate atmosphere in the stands, the cheers of the crowd, and the beauty of the athletic feats make this event an unforgettable spectacle.

Saint-Palais, capital of Lower Navarre

Saint-Palais (Donapaleu in Basque), the historic capital of Lower Navarre, provides an ideal setting for this festival. Located at the crossroads of the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage routes, this charming small town is deeply rooted in Basque culture and traditions. The municipal fronton, an emblematic venue for Basque sports and social life, hosts the festival in an authentic and warm setting.