How are we not going to be happy?” he added the baker following the conversation, and for a moment I have put the festival and the peoples living from tourism in my head. But there is no comparison possible. In addition to the four bars of the village square, the products sold at the volunteer positions are produced in Irisarri or surroundings, from the stalks to the beer served late in the morning. The economic impact of the EHZ festival on the people is undeniable, but it could have raised more doubts about the realization of other values such as respect for the neighbors. That is why I am most pleased that the baker has said “good atmosphere”, because that has been said by someone who does not live in the festival of the festive atmosphere has a lot of value. And even more so if we've lived it by those of us who've been inside.

Since the first hour of the morning, many groups of volunteers have been set up, including the Green Brigade, responsible for cleaning. Most toilets, probably, need cleaning, or more than cleaning, they need to be delivered, rather than sawdust. You wouldn't have a bit of order wrong either; empty the waste in the container and ready. I have found a bathing system never found in the festive spaces of Hego Euskal Herria, a different model: a dry or ecological bath. There was no more than a lot of sawdust and a pot at your disposal, nor water and pipelines that, after the chemical treatment of the waste, would send them to the sewage treatment plant. It has a cup and paper, but it doesn't have any similarity to the traditional bathroom style. Furthermore, it is an excellent way to avoid stench, as it is the sawdust that fulfills this function.

The most important thing is that these toilets are neither purchased nor solicited from another person: EHZ members have already spent several years. In many other activities of Ipar Euskal Herria, these baths have also been used, which are given to those who are willing to make good use of them, as explained by Irati, member of the organization. This activity is a good example of what it is to put values into practice: environmentalism, self-management and collaboration with other actors.

Transition to innovation

The Euskal Herria Zuzenean festival has been held from 1996, year after year, until in 2014 they received the first blow: a storm ruined the festival and caused a big economic hole. In 2017 it can be said that the EHZ hit bottom: on the eve of the festival, weather forecasts predicted a very bad time, so they decided to suspend the festival to avoid further losses. The team then immersed itself in an internal working process: soon after the crowdfunding campaign was launched, the money needed to cover the hole was raised. But the hole didn't just stay on the economic side.

In 2017 and 2018, the group opened a phase of reflection for the association to be redefined. The festival held a major life-and-death conference at Gaztetxe Zizpa in Baiona, driven by the disparity between the projects that had been carried out until then and the new generations. There it was agreed to give the witness, to leave the veterans responsible and to take the baton of command by the young people. The members of the new group concluded that they needed deep internal work, not mediatedly, for the mere organization of a festival, as by pressure. It was a rigid decision. No EHZ festival would be held in 2018; yes, but, as an alternative, EHZ Nomada. For three days, the festival was divided into three villages: Baigorri, Baiona and Itsasu. The group was at the time of the transition, as if it was trying to find itself.

They pledged to return in 2019, and in March it was reported that this year’s edition will be held in Irisarri on 28, 29 and 30 June. A resounding return was promised and promised, with news in terms of format and objectives. The current renewed RSI has two main axes: political and cultural content. In addition to the Euskaltzale consciousness, the main objective is to give young people agents an instrument of struggle and, on the other hand, to achieve a varied cultural offer beyond the hegemonic culture, in line with the values of the RSI. Always prioritizing popular culture and Basque culture.

The new group has brought novelties for this year’s edition, and the main one, coinciding with the first axis mentioned above, has been the workshops. To this end, the mid-day of the festival has been exploited, with five proposals in an extraordinary programme: the sexist aggressions between friends and in general, the reflection on the holiday model, the social impact of the G7 summit to be held in Biarritz in August, the political consequences of self-management and self-organisation, and the reception of migrants in many parts of Euskal Herria. More than ideas limited to theory, they have tried to guide the debate to sessions and reflection, understood as tools.

Basque oasis for all

Anyone who has heard French through Lower Navarre and has seen French posters often, whatever their age, would say that Irisarri is a kind of oasis of territory; the centre of an oppressed culture and society. Created by young people, but produced for everyone. And built between them. A popular oasis, in which almost everything has been heard in Basque, both on one side and on the other.

In Irisarri we have found a broad offer for young people, not so young, children, adults and everyone. As soon as you start climbing the hill, the children's corner: a beautiful park in a careful meadow. On Sunday dozens of boys and girls played throughout the day, with a favorable program – theatre, circus workshop for children, inflatable… – as many families have chosen to go.

EHZ members have prepared a comprehensive programme. For three days, some of the most relevant Basque groups of the time have gone through the stage of the Plaza and Pentecost: Liher, Koban, Gari, Anari, Willis Drummond and Iseo&Dosound, among others, as well as Basque groups that, although they have a shorter journey, have drawn the attention of the public, such as Alba or Ibil-Bedi. As for style, one was as different as the other, but at the same time, most of them had similarities: the Basque. Concerts and shows totally different for the same cause.

More than 500 people have been working in auzolan for this holiday model. Although the festival lasts for three days, it lasts up to three weeks, including montages and dismantles. 500 volunteers. Many of them only did so during the weekend, occupying shifts of all kinds, both portable and not so portable. Many others, on the other hand, have spent the whole year thinking about the tasks of each moment of the three days, developing the program and sweating and putting the stress, nerves and sweat necessary to bring all the activities to a successful conclusion. And not only in Irisarri: there are innumerable places in the Basque Country in which there is such a movement. It is amazing the number of parties, activities or weekend walks that are organized, by will, militancy, by heart. And this kind of work is rarely visible.

Although this Basque oasis built on the weekend has been completed in Irisarri, it has been noted that the association that will be responsible for developing and disseminating the Basque conscience in Ipar Euskal Herria is already quite strengthened. You've seen that motivation is enough to overcome all the obstacles. They seem to come with the intention of being faithful to youth for many years: the RSI has come to stay.