Pastorale Souletine

A unique theatrical heritage in Europe

The Pastorale Souletine is one of the rare survivals of European rural and popular theatre, with origins dating back to the 15th century. Related to medieval mystery and liturgical dramas, it constitutes an exceptional living cultural heritage, recognized by its inscription on the Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage in France in 2012, while the know-how of the errejent (director) was classified separately in 2018.

The immutable codes of the pastoral

The pastoral adheres to very precise scenographic codes passed down through generations. The open-air stage is divided into two spaces: on the left, the Blues (krüstiak), representing good, dressed in blue and entering from the audience's left; on the right, the Reds (türkak), embodying evil, dressed in red and black. The central theme is always the struggle between these two forces, through historical, legendary, or biblical narratives. The actors, all volunteers from the same village, alternate sung verses, declaimed dialogues, and traditional Souletine dances for about three hours of performance.

Mauléon-Licharre and the pastoral tradition

Mauléon-Licharre, the capital of Soule, plays a central role in the history of pastorales. The town has hosted numerous performances over the centuries, including a pastoral on Geneviève de Brabant as early as 1849. More recently, in 2018, Mauléon presented Belako Zaldüna (The Knight of Béla), written by Jean Bordachar, recounting the story of the knight Jean-Philippe de Béla who lived in Soule in the 18th century. Soule, corresponding to the Saison river valley (Ühaitza), with the cantons of Tardets and Mauléon, is the exclusive cradle of this theatrical tradition.

Exceptional community mobilization

Each year, a different village in Soule mobilizes for several months to prepare and present the pastoral. The errejent, director and guardian of the tradition, leads rehearsals and coordinates all participants: actors, singers, dancers, seamstresses for costume creation, children embodying angels. This collective mobilization of the community makes the pastoral much more than just a performance: it is an act of cultural transmission and social cohesion that keeps the Basque language and traditions of Soule alive. In 2025, the village of Barcus presented the pastoral Urrats Kolektiboa, attracting 6,000 spectators over three performances.