In the Church of Jondoni Paulo of Donapaleu, they responded to the call of King Henry II who gathered the Elder States of Navarra 500 years ago. Most of the kingdom had been conquered and occupied by the Spanish army, but it maintained its structures in the small territory of Lower Navarra: the court, the mint, the prison... so it remained almost a century more.

To remember this, the association Zabalik, Nabarralde and Hernani Errotzen work in Amikuze in the promotion of the Basque country. The other, called Nafarroa Bizirik 1523-2023, will take place on 9 September in Donapaleu.

In the morning there will be conferences in the Bideak cultural space. Experts will talk about historian Alvaro Adot, Beñi Agirre and Peio Monteano and the conquest of Navarra. Later, at noon, Irekia and the Donapaleu Consistorial House will place a commemorative plaque for the meeting held on 28 August 1523.

In the afternoon, starting at 15:00, the bertsolaris of Amikuze have prepared a guided tour from the Touzaa house through the streets of Donapaleu.

170 people in Nafarroa Bizirik

One of the most important quotes of the day will be on the covered market at 17:00 hours. Guests will enjoy the spectacular Nafarroa Bizirik. More than 170 people will participate through dance and music: "Offering us an interpretation of our history that has made us non-history," the organizers explain.

The dantzaris of Pamplona, Antzuola and Arizkun, the giants or ciantes of Cambo and Amikuze, the joaldunak, the gaiters of Baigorri and Gaitamik and 40 Amikuze singers who have been rehearsing for the event.

Txarangas, verbenas, food, etc... will arrive until night in Donapale, once again converted into the Navarra capital.

The Kingdom of Navarre remained alive with all its structures until, at least, the Pau unification decree of 1620, and did not disappear until much later. But if the passages of the conquest of Navarre have so far been unknown to us, those relating to their survival at the foot of the Pyrenees are even more unknown.

"Navarre was the Bajonavarro, because our kingdom had lost the southern part, and it was going to keep it for two centuries until our sovereignty suffered the last blow with the French Revolution," said Zabalik members. Saturday will therefore be a festival that brings together culture, language and memory.