Basque Force in Saint-Palais: "We had to continue, there's no getting around it," a new president for the 79th edition

The president of the Saint-Palais festival has stepped down after thirty-nine years of service to the lads of the Basque force. Before the 79th edition, this Sunday, August 17, Jean-Louis Fourcade confesses his passion for "this ritual."

The outgoing president is not one to seek honors. "I prefer to say: responsible," says Jean-Louis Fourcade. All the same. The historic "manager" of the Saint-Palais Basque Power Festival handed over the reins during the year, after thirty-nine years presiding over the event's destiny.

With the 79th edition, this Sunday, August 17, a page in his personal history will be turned. The festival's epic, for its part, is deeply rooted in the municipal cancha. Like a rope puller on his feet. "Saint-Palais is not a demonstration. It is not, either, the festival of Basque strength," corrects Jean-Louis Fourcade. "It is the festival of Basque strength." Two letters of nuance. They express the commitment required to girdle the cinta. To lift the 356-kilogram cart without looking ridiculous in front of the 2,000 spectators.

“Over the years, I've learned two essential things: to be humble and to know how to step aside to highlight others. Alone, you achieve nothing.”

"When I tried, a long time ago, she didn't budge an inch," laughs Jean-Louis Fourcade. The former president doesn't have the muscles of gladiators. But he has something of their determination. It takes that to lead a team of 70 volunteers for so long. He fuels this with a deep admiration for the athletes of Basque strength. "Over the years, I've learned two essential things. Be humble and know how to step aside to highlight others. Alone, you achieve nothing." For ten years, the idea of passing the baton had been running through his mind. It was necessary to "ensure continuity in the best conditions." That's why he still sits on the steering committee. His successor, "Jojo" Laffitte , thanks him for it. "It's been a great first year. It went by like a rocket," says the heir apparent, under a laughing mustache.

The musician has been leading the band since 1981. He hadn't really planned to end up there. "On election day, there was too much hesitation. I told myself it wasn't possible. So, I raised my hand. We have to keep this going, there's no way around it." 74 years of history to perpetuate.

In 1951, the Basque Force Festival began as a fair for the Saint-Jacques parish in the Pays de Mixe. "Abbé Chalet and the volunteers of the time had the idea of a show that would transpose the farmers' efforts into games," says Jean-Louis Fourcade. "Getting the cart out of the barn, sending bags of wheat to the attic, chopping wood, etc. It took off immediately. Since then, nothing has been invented."

The organization is the custodian of a tradition. "A ritual," says Jean-Louis Fourcade. A few rules have evolved marginally. "Always at the request of the team leaders and never without them. That doesn't mean we've ruled in their favor every time," the manager explains. Decorum hasn't changed either. The cart was there before everyone else. "We think it's original." The sacks of wheat, however, have succumbed to the ravages of time. "While I was changing them, I wanted to add some color." Green. "It may not seem like much, but it's this kind of small-scale modernization that I tried to introduce."

There's no question of upsetting a patiently built reputation. Fixed? Perhaps. Not inert. "Even in the 1980s, we could already feel a special atmosphere on this pediment. Here, the public takes a stand, gets involved with this or that team. It responds to efforts that, as a result, sometimes extend well beyond the clock."

At the cost of some concern. "You have to be wary of the tug of war," trembles Jean-Louis Fourcade. Competitors sometimes "pump" for up to twenty minutes. "We've seen some lying on the ground, with rather pale colors, to the point where we had to ask ourselves questions."

Over the decades, the Herculean performances have attracted the attention of national media and television networks. "In 2018, a journalist told us he had never seen an event like this, especially one organized by a large village like Saint-Palais. When you're in the middle of it, you don't realize it anymore, but I think he's right. And it's still a source of pride."