THE Federation of Choirs of Navarre (FCNAE) Ha demanded a “worthy subsidy” from the Government of Navarre for next year 2025, after having assumed this year the organization of the Navarre Festival concerts. According to its president, Carlos Gorricho Otermin, the government’s decision to suspend these concerts due to a the alleged “lack of budget” has left the federated choirs without resources maintain a tradition that he considers “fundamental” for Navarrese culture. “A people who sing do not die,” Gorricho said, referring to the efforts of “amateur” and non-professional choirs to keep choral music alive in the community.
Given this situation, the Thanks to its federated choirs, the FCNAE organized 28 free concerts which will be celebrated on December 3, the feast of Saint Francis Xavier and the feast of Navarre, in different places in the community. These events reflect the commitment of the federated choirs which, according to Gorricho, They will act “with the same passion and commitment as always”performing, among other pieces, the anthem of Navarre in different places.
The Federation emphasized that This work is only possible thanks to the efforts of its members and the solidarity of the public.since “they do not benefit from any institutional assistance”. The president of the FCNAE highlighted that the Federation is the largest cultural organization in Navarra, with 4,000 people integrated into 70 choirs distributed throughout the community.
We remember, in a letter addressed to the parliamentary groups, the Board of Directors asked that IInclusion of a nominal item of 200,000 euros in the 2025 budgetswhich, as they point out, is essential to ensure the future of amateur choral music in Navarre. “We need sufficient, decent, stable and annual funding,” recalled Gorricho, emphasizing that we must not depend on changes in the political situation to support Navarrese choral culture, while the FCNAE awaits a favorable response from the parliamentary groups, with. the desire that this cultural effort “be unanimously supported by all the groups present in the Foral Chamber, thus reflecting the diversity and variety of the choral culture of Navarre”.
Programming of the 28 concerts of the Fête de Navarre
THE programming includes a performance of Pamplona Arturo Kanpion Abesbatza in the church of San Babil de Erroz at 12:00 p.m., under the direction of Mikel Lumbreras; the Choir of the Corazón de Jesús de Santa Vicenta María Parish at 1:00 p.m., conducted by Ricardo Marín; the La Asunción Choir, which will offer a mass in the San Alberto Parish, in the San Juan neighborhood, at 7:00 p.m., followed by a short concert; the Choir of Grave Voices of Santa María La Real in the Church of San Pedro de Pitillas at 12:00 p.m.; the Musical Chapel of the Cathedral of Pamplona at 12:45 p.m.; and the Grave Voices Choir of Pamplona in the parish church of Oteiza
from La Solana at 1:00 p.m.
In the Pamplona areahighlights the interventions of the Atarrabia Abesbatza in the church of San Andrés de Villava at 12:45 p.m.; the Ametza Choir in the Church of Berrioplano at 1:00 p.m.; the Elkarrekin Choir at the residence of the Little Sisters of the Poor of Pamplona at 12:00 p.m.; the Erreniega Choir of Cendea de Cizur, which will perform in Astrain at 12:00 p.m.; the Goizalde de Beriain Choir in the San Martín de Tours d’Irurtzun church at 1:00 p.m.; and the choir of San Andrés de Villava in the church of Etxauri at the same time.
Inside Eastern Pyreneesthe Auzperri Abesbatza choir from Espinal will perform at 1:00 p.m. at the Saigots Church in the Esteribar Valley.
THE Middle zone There will also be a program of presentations, such as the Tafallesa Choral Group in Francisco de Navarra Square in Tafalla at 12:30 p.m.; the Olitense Choir in the parish church of Beire at 1:00 p.m.; the San Miguel Arcángel de Larraga Choir in San Martín de Unx at 12:45 p.m.; the Tubala Uxoa Choir of Tafalla in Francisco de Navarra Square at 1:00 p.m.
In Land of Estellathe Eskinza Choir will perform in Villatuerta at 12:30 p.m.; and the Unión y Armonía Choir in the Church of Santa María de Los Arcos at 1:00 p.m. For his part, the Orfeón Adrianés will be at the parish church of San Adrián at 12:45 p.m.
In the Bankparticipants will be able to enjoy the Cais Cantum Choir in the Church of the Assumption of Cascante at 12:45 p.m.; the San Bartolomé Choir at the Juan Antonio Ducun Auditorium in Ribaforada at 1:00 p.m.; the Choir of the Virgin of Peace, which will offer two presentations: one at the Arrese Museum in Corella at 1:00 p.m. and another at the Avenue Artistic Center in Cintruénigo at 7:30 p.m.; the Virgen de Nieva Choir in the Church of Santa María de Valtierra at 12:00 p.m.; the Joaquín Gaztambide Tudela Choir in the Plaza Nueva de Tudela at 12:00 p.m. and the Virgen del Amparo Choir of Castejón at the Sarasate Cultural Center at 1:00 p.m. Finally, in the North-West zone, the Mendi Choir of Santesteban will perform at the Torre Jauregia de Donamaria at 6:00 p.m., closing this day of concerts in honor of the Feast of Navarre.
Carlos Gorricho points out that choral culture is a heritage that must be protected and supported permanently. From the FCNAE they affirm that Navarre Day “is not just a date”, but an opportunity to remember the importance of this cultural heritage.
“We need a a real commitment so that all choirs have the same opportunities and we can continue to be a fundamental pillar of Navarrese culture,” concluded Gorricho, reiterating that the future of this tradition will depend on support.
effective institutional.
