Herri Urrats · the ikastola festival at Saint-Pée lake

Herri Urrats is ‘the big ikastola festival’, the celebration of the Basque-medium immersion schools (ikastolas) of the Seaska network in the French Basque Country (Iparralde). It has been held since 1984 around the lake at Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle (Senpere), on the second Sunday in May, from 10:00 to 20:00. In 2027, that second Sunday falls on 9 May. The official date will be confirmed by Seaska.

What is the festival for?

At first, the proceeds funded the construction of the Xalbador secondary school (collège Xalbador) in Cambo-les-Bains (Kanbo). Since 1996, they have gone to Ikastolen Egoitzak, the body that manages the ikastola buildings.

What you’ll find

• 7 zones and stages spread around the lake: shows, concerts and activities
• Food stalls and bars
• More than 2,500 parents and volunteers pitching in on the day

According to Seaska, Herri Urrats has become one of the biggest cultural gatherings in the Basque Country and Nouvelle-Aquitaine. It draws thousands of people from the seven provinces and beyond, who come to support the Basque language.

Guide: Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle (Senpere) · See also: Basque-language schools.

Sources

• Seaska — Herri Urrats (in French)
• Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle town hall — Herri Urrats, Sunday 12 May 2024 edition (in French)