DEVELOPMENT OF JAUZARREA’S PROJECT IN LOUISBOURG

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Submitted by Mirari Loyarte on

FROM HOME TO THE FORTRESS - AT THE FORTRESS - MUSIC–SONGS–DANCES - OUR TASK: STARTING THE PROJECT


FROM HOME TO THE FORTRESS

Our house is 5 kilometres away from the Fortress. Sometimes we walk to the Fortress, but other times staff members like Sandy pick us up and drive us there. Sandy Anthony is our supervisor and is the Interpretation Coordinator-Civilian Arts and Trades at the site.

The King's Bastion with the Governor's Palace and the Barracks. Photo © Mirari Loyarte.


AT THE FORTRESS
One of our tasks at the Fortress, besides being in costume and do our interpretation, is to teach music, songs and dances to the staff of Parks Canada. The purpose for it is to have backup for the moments in which we have to put a show, and to create a group of non-Basque staff members who know how to represent our culture, for the moment in which we have to return home.

MUSIC–SONGS–DANCES

We are teaching the musicians at the site several songs and how to play the txistu.We have also taught them the traditional dance zazpi jauzi, just like we did it the other day with children. The dances are liked by the visitors and staff, because they are danced in a circle and are different. While we were teaching them, we could hear the people saying ‘cool!’, ‘nice!’ Moreover, visitors stopped by and asked questions while we were rehearsing because they found it interesting and got their attention. We have created a lively atmosphere outside the Hôtel de la Marine.

Mirari and Amets outside one of the taverns, in front of the port. Photo © Parks Canada. Fortress of Louisbourg.


OUR TASK: STARTING THE PROJECT

This is the first time in which this project at the Historic Site of the Fortress of Louisbourg, created by Jauzarrea, is being put in place. Therefore, Amets and myself are being the first ones in doing everything and are creating the foundations in order to develop the project so it can be performed in the future. The idea was created by Jauzarrea and Parks Canada with CBU (Cape Breton University), which gives us the framework to which we have to add several details.