This day began in 2006. Even though Dantzari Txiki day is a relatively new party, the translation would be “day of the little dancer”. It is the most suitable to know the Basque dances of the territory in Gorliz. In this festival, children’s different groups of dances meet in Gorliz and make a wide exhibition of the traditional Basque dances with the music of the txistu and the tabor in the background.
Programmig for this day
The whole town takes to the street to enjoy the different Basque dances to the sound of the traditional instruments, the txistu and the taboril, in a show of dances and parades with a festive atmosphere, always followed by a good pintxo and wine.
The day begins with a concentration of groups in the village. Afterwards, a kalejira (parade) is made followed by a popular meal. Once the meal is over there is a performance or an activity that usually varies every year, being street theatre, some performance or other activities. To finish the classic boast of festival is made.
Basque dances or traditional Basque dances
Basque dances are a very important part of Basque folklore, along with the songs. Some of the dances that are part of the ensemble of Basque dances have endured hundreds of years while others have been disappearing over time. In the Francoist era, there was a period of repression towards everything related to Basque culture and, although they were in danger of disappearance, thanks to the people who kept the tradition alive and transmitted these dances, we have been able to preserve them. Traditionally, these dances were performed by men. However, this fact has evolved and today there are more women who practice it than men.
Probably the best known dance at state and international level is the Aurresku. This dance is used as a reverence and that is why it is the star dance for weddings, ceremonial acts, funerals, public acts and endless events. This particular dance is accompanied by the sound of a txistu and a tabor played by the same person.
But the peculiarity of Basque dances does not end there. They are characterized by the continuous movement of legs and feet, accompanied, depending on the dance, by movements of arms and/or elements such as swords, arches or sticks, and the barely missing hip movement. In order to perform these dances, the costumes used by the villagers vary according to the municipality, although they usually follow the same pattern.
