Bilbao, Spain – This weekend, Bilbao is set to turn into a focal point for traditional sports from across Europe, hosting the council meeting of the European Association of Games and Sports Traditions. The event, which begins Friday, will showcase a diverse range of indigenous athletic pursuits, aiming to promote intercultural understanding and cooperation.
The initiative is spearheaded by Sustabiz, an organization dedicated to the promotion of rural sports, pelota, and rowing. Sustabiz, along with the European Association, has brought together federations, foundations, and collectives from 17 countries for this unique gathering. The event isn’t simply a meeting of administrators; it’s a vibrant display of athletic heritage, featuring games and sports not only from the Basque Country and Asturias, but too from as far afield as Cameroon, Algeria, Morocco, and Bolivia.
The public will have the opportunity to witness these traditions firsthand on Sunday, March 15th, at the Plaza de Las Mujeres in Bilbao. According to Jesús Manuel Madariaga, president of Sustabiz, the goal is to “give greater visibility to our traditional sports, as well as foster interculturality, cohesion and cooperation through games and sports from different communities residing in Bizkaia.” Attendees will be able to actively participate in various disciplines, including Cameroonian wrestling, Moroccan rim and iron throwing, and Bolivian rayuela (a hopscotch-like game).
The event also carries a message of equality. Isaac Leroux Ebelle, a representative of the Cameroonian association in the Basque Country (ACAEUS), highlighted that, unlike in some countries, women will be permitted to participate in the wrestling competition held in Bilbao. “It will also be a claim for equality since our country does not allow the participation of women in wrestling and here we will do it,” Ebelle stated.
Beyond the international representation, the event will also showcase regional traditions. A collective from Asturias, known as ‘6 Conceyos,’ will present a discipline similar to trontza (Basque wood chopping), while Bilboko Esperantza Pilota Kluba will revive pasaka, an ancestral form of pelota, at the Esperantza fronton. A special exhibition of aizkolaritza, a spectacular form of vertical log chopping at a height of five meters, will also be featured, showcasing a rarely practiced skill.
The festivities officially begin on Friday, March 13th, at 12:00 hours with an international conference at the University of Deusto. The conference will feature a presentation by Pere Lavega, president of the European Association of Games and Sports Traditions and a professor at INEFC, titled ‘The physical education has a dream: to transform society through traditional sports games.’ Dani Carballo, a doctor of architecture from the UPH-EHU, will also present on ‘History of the game of pelota and development of space.’
Following the presentations, a roundtable discussion will be held on the topic of ‘Traditional games and sports in Europe. Networking, a key for professionals in Physical Education and Sport.’ This conference component underscores the academic and developmental aspects of preserving and promoting these cultural traditions.
This gathering in Bilbao isn’t just a celebration of athletic skill; it’s a demonstration of how sports can bridge cultural divides and foster a sense of community. The inclusion of diverse traditions, coupled with a commitment to equality and active participation, positions the event as a significant moment for the preservation and promotion of Europe’s rich sporting heritage. For those interested in learning more about traditional sports and their role in fostering intercultural understanding, this weekend in Bilbao promises a unique and engaging experience.
The event highlights a growing recognition of the importance of traditional sports, not just as athletic pursuits, but as vital components of cultural identity and social cohesion. The European Association of Games and Sports Traditions plays a crucial role in this movement, providing a platform for the exchange of knowledge and the promotion of these often-overlooked athletic forms.
Looking ahead, the outcomes of the council meeting and the insights gained from the international conference will likely shape the future direction of the European Association and its efforts to support traditional sports across the continent. Further updates and information about the association’s activities can be found through Sustabiz and its partner organizations.
