The espadrille festival in Mauléon
Like the pelota, the espadrille is firmly rooted in Basque tradition. The locals have even dedicated a special festival to it in the town of Mauléon, a former province of the Basque country. This day of festivities is celebrated on August 15 in Mauléon. The village, considered the land of sandal-makers, is at the heart of a Basque festival. The celebration is in honor of the espadrille, a lightweight pair of shoes that has become a fashion item in its own right. This festival is an opportunity to find out more about the origins of these sandals from your campsite in the Basque Country, in a convivial atmosphere.
August 15 festivities in Mauléon
The espadrille craft is celebrated every year on August 15 in Mauléon. The day begins with a mass sung in Basque. This is followed by Souletine dances, typical of the region, and rural games of strength. Lectures are given on the history of the espadrille. Meanwhile, the villagers sing Basque tunes. Young and old, amateurs and professionals alike play pelota, a sport that originated in the Basque country.
During the Fête de l’Espadrille in Mauléon, the Place des Allées is the setting for an ephemeral workshop showcasing all the stages involved in making espadrilles by hand. The public can watch live as the article is made, from the rope to the finished product, including the sewing of the sole.
In addition to the workshop, other producers’ stalls will be set up on the esplanade for the occasion. You can sample regional products such as ewe’s milk cheese, hams and many other local products and crafts. At the same time, games and dancing continue to enliven the area.
The espadrille festival in Mauléon in 2020
To keep up with the festive atmosphere, a bodega lunch is organized for all participants at midday. The terraces and bars are the ideal places to admire the festival throughout the day. At the last edition, crowds flocked to Mauléon to celebrate the espadrille festival. In 2020, no fewer than 5,000 people are expected to attend the event in this picturesque little village. Since 2018, a walking activity has been part of the day, with a 5 km espadrille course. Walkers are expected to attend this year’s event on Saturday August 15.
History of the espadrille in its city of origin
If we come back to the history of espadrille, it dates back to the 18th century, when craftsmen worked flax and hemp in the region. Since then, espadrille production has been at the heart of Mauléon’s economy, particularly from the 19th century onwards. A local family began to market these handcrafted shoes, which led to the centralization of espadrille sales in Mauléon. Towards the end of the 19th century, some of the manual work was taken over by machines. As a result, some thirty factories sprang up in Soule. However, some workshops still offer hand-made espadrilles, true to Basque tradition. To buy them, visit Maison Prodisio or L’Espadrille Don Quichosse in south-west France.