It used to be a way of life in the forests of Navarre. Today there are very few people left May the tradition of doing continue coal mines in Navarre. This artisanal trade disappeared over time due to the arrival of modern energy sources and the difficulties associated with the process, as it requires a lot of experience, physical effort and constant control of the fire.
Today, the practice of charcoal making is preserved more as a cultural and tourist activity only as a source of subsistence, and that is why they consider it in the Land of Irisarri, theadventure and nature park located in Igantziin the Bidasoa region, where they have a charcoal museum and where they preserve and disseminate the history and traditional techniques of charcoal. charcoal production.
He light a coal bunker It’s quite an event. It is an ancient tradition associated with the preparation of charcoal thanks to an artisanal process. It involves creating a large pile of wood, carefully stacked and covered with earth or branches, which is lit in a symbolic and festive ritual, triggering a slow, oxygen-free combustion process to transform the wood into charcoal.
Today is a tribute to tits or “txondorreros”, who practiced this profession in the mountains and mountains. The lighting of the charcoal pit is usually accompanied by cultural and gastronomic activities, such as guided tours, music, tastings of local products and demonstrations of traditional crafts, attracting neighbors and tourists interested in knowing this historical practice.
Well, this one Saturday November 2, Land of Irisarri invites all its customers and friends to attend the lighting of its eleventh coaleither “txondorra”by its name in Basque. This year, the person honored will be Basque singer-songwriter Olatz Salvadorwho will be responsible for leaving a mark on the trunk of the coal shed.
In previous years, Iñaki Perurena, Xabier Euzkitze, Xabier Agote, Toti Martinez de Lecea, Aizpea Goenaga, Itziar Sistiaga, Julien Iantzi, Pilar Otegi And Ignacio Carrillo, Mikel Urdangarin and last year the non-profit association Zaporeak were those who were honored and responsible for lighting the “txondorra”.
In the construction of bunker this year they were used 18,000 kg of wood of the Irisarri forests: chestnut And oak Above all. From this moment, the volunteers of Land of IrriSarri They will take care of the coal plant so that everything runs smoothly and, if everything is correct, they will be able to start sourcing coal in early January.
He is expected to move 5,000 kg of coalwhich will surely be ready by the end of the Christmas. This coal is used almost entirely in grills from the park restaurant.
From the November 2 and until December 31 You can visit the coal mine located in the Coal Museumwhich shows, with life-size reproductions, the construction process of the “txondorra” and the way of life of the ancients tits.
The lighting of the coal bunker will be accompanied by magnificent musical performances. On the one hand, there will be the performance of violinist Sergio Muñoz. On the other hand, the singer-songwriter Gorka Zabaleta He will also sing two or three songs with the guitar. Finally, he will be present on Joaldunak of Zubieta.
