Pyrenean songs, true living traditions
From the Basque Country to Catalonia, the Pyrenees have always inspired artists and there are countless songs that pay tribute to them. Bigorre is no exception to the tradition and, in French or in patois, these are real hymns to the love of the mountains that are sung at sporting events, family reunions or even sometimes at funerals. The passage of time changes almost nothing, and it is with the same emotion that the canteres, groups with strong voices, sing "Là-haut sur la montagne" (Up on the mountain), "Le Berger d'Aure" (The Shepherd of Aure) or the famous "Montagnes Pyrénées" (Pyrenees Mountains). These popular songs par excellence, which speak of everyday life, love, nostalgia and the life of the past, have been immortalised by Nadau, Edmond Duplan, Alfred Roland and the well-named Chanteurs Pyrénéens.
To make it go round, dance in a square
At the bend of a local festival or a festival, you will hear wooden clogs clacking to the sound of an agile flute. With linen skirts for the ladies and berets for the boys, Pyrenean folklore is difficult to perpetuate in terms of dances, but it is infinitely rich! The dances are mostly practiced in circles and in couples, at the time when only the men were performing, it was called "prowess". The aim was to impress the ladies and, between the jumps over the berets and belts or the fake fights, they put their heart into it! Very visual, the Bigourdanes dances give pride of place to the polka step and the Pyrenean step, a rather indescribable and hypnotic hop that is best appreciated live as it is so flexible and rhythmic. In quadrille in four by four, in quadrillé eight by eight, you will appreciate these demonstrations and the Pastourelles de Campan travel the world with a recognized talent so that these treasures of yesteryear last!
Tarbes on stage
One cannot talk about music without thinking of Yvette Horner, the emblematic Tarbaise whose accordion and fiery hair seduced the Tour de France and even the fashion designer Jean-Paul Gaultier! In a completely different register, the young generation has nothing to be ashamed of and it is with immense pride that the Bigourdans have seen one of the leading groups of the current French scene: Boulevard des Airs! Indeed, the BDA as their fans affectionately call them are all from the 65 and their first hit "Cielo Ciego" has become an irresistible anthem. The video clip was shot in the streets of Tarbes, a nice tribute for artists whose fame, built by a crazy energy and an unconditional love of live music, is now international.
