Kingdom of Navarre. Land of diversity

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Winter

In winter the countryside goes to sleep and a white mantle covers the Pyrenees. It is a time to enjoy cross-country skiing and snow racket expeditions in the Salazar and Roncal valleys. It is also a time, however, to enjoy still-sunny days, which encourage you to discover the gentle colours of the winter through an enormous range of nature walks.

Religious and pagan traditions alternate. Sangüesa celebrates Epiphany in its streets with the passion play of the Auto Sacramental de los Reyes Magos. Then Carnival comes: in Lanz, the ritual revolves around the bandit Miel Otxin, and in Alsasua the main character is a billy goat, the Momotxorro. In other localities of the mountain regions, the figure that personifies the hardship and problems of the winter is a fox in Valcarlos, a bear in Arizkun or a charcoal burner in Goizueta and Arano. The danzantes of the zantpanzar carry large cowbells on their backs tied onto sheepskin girdles, and they wear conical coloured hats on their heads.

The south of Navarre also has interesting carnivals, such as the one in Cintruénigo, where the zarramuskeros make everyone who does not cover their face dirty, or that of Tudela, where the cipoteros parade and dance with their faces hidden.

In winter there is an extensive range of cultural activities in the BALUARTE or the Teatro Gayarre, and also those put on by around 46 Casas de Cultura (cultural centres). In December Organ Music concerts are held, and the 'Escena' Dance Festival in March. Filmgoers have a rendezvous in February at the 'Punto de Vista' Documentary Film Festival.

At the table, red beans, meats, cheeses, wine and liqueurs are the highlights. The cold weather is ideal for trying migas de pastor (literally, 'shepherds' breadcrumbs') that are typical of Ujué, pochas (succulent white beans) from Sangüesa or gorrín (suckling pig) from Tierra Estella. At Christmas, cardo (chard) is usually served at the table.