#olentzero

[yami11arts]

Happy Olentzero Day In north of spain in special Vasque zone are celebrates the Olentzero, is like Santa Claus and Christmas celebration, I made Ryme like Mari Domingi , Olentzero's wife If are know, the town are Ryme gym , Montenevera , in spanish version is named Hozkailu are a Basque word (is literally Nevera in spanish translation) and how this region is based in spain, and im Basque i need mades this little tribute

[beautiful-basque-country]

Media:

"Learn about Gau Beltza, the Basque Halloween, that has Celtic origins"

but

"All Saints' Day is a public holiday since Saints are honored"

also

"Know the tale of Olentzero, the mythological Basque Santa Claus".

but

"Who were the actual Three Wise Men?"

It's irritating that every Basque tradition is considered a copy from the US - or actually brought from anywhere else - and based on fairytales while Spanish traditions are based on very Spanish and much Spanish historical events and real people.

[mask131]

I was trying to look around to see if I could find some more information about Père Noël in its pre-Americanized incarnation online, but unfortunately most websites share the misinformation that "Père Noël" only existed from the 50s onward and was a French invention... No. [Note: I know books exist folks, but I precisely wanted to do a web research first]

There is only one website that does not share this idea and does identify Père Noël as a typical French figure that was then overtaken by the American Santa Claus, and the most fascinating thing is that it points out (despite previous sources I shared claiming "Père Noël" was first recorded in literature in the mid-19th century, by people describing their youth around the turn of the 18th-19th century) that Père Noël seems to have existed since the Middle-Ages, with texts referring to "Père Noël" or to "Monseigneur Noël". But it does recognize that the Père Noël traditions really boomed in the 19th century and were associated with the bourgeoisie of the time...

The website in question however is mostly focused on the various local, regional incarnations of the gift-giver - because as with many things in France, this tradition is rather a set of various regional and localized specificities that were ultimately synthetized into one entity.

It reminds that in the Lorraine and Alsace region, the Germanic cultures and German influences make it so that Saint Nicholas and Christkindl are still the main gift-givers. In Lorraine it is Saint Nicolas who is most honored (he is after all the saint patron of Lorraine). Appearing in his bishop outfit that makes him look a lot like Santa Claus (thick white beard, large clothes of red and white), every 6th of December he brings gifts and treats to nice children - while naughty children are confronted by his dreaded companion, Père Fouettard dressed in blacks, who beats up with a stick bad children. Saint Nicolas is also still strongly celebrated in the North of France (aka, what is above the Parisian region, because despite what some foreigners believe, Paris is not part of the North).

While in Alsace it is the Christkindl that still goes strongly, with Hans Trapp as its own Père Fouettard. The website briefly reminds that Christkindl is an avatar/incarnation of the Child-Christ, or Baby Jesus, that ended up being fused with the 23rd of December Saint, Sainte Lucie (Saint Lucia), resulting in this unique Christmas figure appearing as a woman dressed in white with a crown made of fir branches topped by four candles. It also reminds how Christkindl stays a symbol of Protestant end-of-the-year celebrations, as they pushed the Christkindl figure to oppose and replaced the Catholic celebrations of Saint Nicolas. Finally, there is an Alsace-specific legend that claims Hans Trapp actually originated as an Alsacian lord that tyrannized his people - Hans von Trotha, the 15th century lord of Wissembourg.

[Given the Alsace region has a lot of website pages about its traditions I'll place here in brackets informations from other websites:

The Christkindl, also written Christkindel or Chriskindla, is a Christian figure that is supposed to be an embodiment of L'Enfant Jésus, Child Jésus (the name comes from Christ-Kindel ; Christus-Kindlein, Christus als Kind), but definitively was influenced by Saint Lucia, who is very big in Scandinavia. In fact, Saint Lucia and the Christkindl look a lot like each other - female entities dressed in white with a crown of candles... Though the Christkindl can appear both as an adult woman and as a little girl, and also tends to have white veils. People tend to also find in Christkindl remnants of the Germanic goddess Berchta. No need to tell you that the Christkindl is big in all parts of the world influenced by German culture - Germany, Austria, northern Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Czech Republic, and even some parts of Brazil, the ones where there was strong German imigration.

The Christkindl appeared in the 16th century with the Protestant Reform. Up until this point the day of Saint Nicolas was a very big thing in Alsace - saint-patron of school students, he offered good children mandarines and "manala" (a brioche in shape of a child). But the Protestants did not agree with this (Protestants were known to strongly dislike saints in general), and so they replaced the saint with the Christic figure of Christkindl, while keeping Père Fouettard/Hans Trapp (whose job was to threaten with stern lectures naughty children... or take them in a bag to abandon them in the deep dark woods). The change occured over the 16th century, from 1530-1536 (last mentions of Saint Nicolas in Alsace) to 1570 (first mention of Christkindl, when the Klausemärik was replaced by Christkindelmärk). In fact, Christkindl still has some Saint Nicolas traits - she also goes around with a donkey, named Peckeresel, which carries two bags, one for the treats (mandarines and bredalas), one for the whips. People left hay or carrots for the donkey to eat by the front door. Pastor Johannes Flinner made a strong public attack against saint Nicolas in Strasbourg during the "cultural transition", by pointing out that distributing gifts to all should be the prerogative of the Christ and no one else.

During the 20th century the Christkindl lost popularity in Alsace (jee, I wonder why France would like to bury Germanic traditions in the century of World War II) - but it returned in the traditions from the 1990s onward.

Fascinatingly, despite being supposedly a Christ-figure of an angel, the Christkindl, or White Lady, is also frequently called in alsace, a "fée", a fairy, la fée de Noël, the Christmas fairy. It doesn't help that she sometimes carry around a wand with a star at the tip, that is strikingly reminding of the stereotypical fairy-wand. Another irony of fate - despite the Christkindl being brought over to replace Saint Nicolas, the two currently still coexist in Alsace thanks to people not wanting to abandon the good old bishop. A third fun fact: originally the Christkindl could be played as much by women as by men, due to being a truly androgynous entity. From the 16th century onward, the Saint Nicolas celebrations were replaced in Alsace by parades of teenagers of both sexes dressed in white, going from door to door to give gifts and sing Christmas songs. However you can't have teenage boys and girls go around late at night without getting some problems... And those "Saint Nicolas hook-ups" were a real problem in Alsace, you have records from the 17th and 18th centuries pointing out how authorities have to try to refrain all the Christkindl from... well you know.]

The next entity presented is the famous Pays Basque character of Olentzero, whose appearance is that of a coal-man. Well a bizarre coal man - he has a bag filled with coal in one hand, a sickle in the other, a large beard on his face and a béret on his head. According to the Basque-version of the Nativity lore, he lived at the top of the mountains but saw in the sky the announcement of the birth of Kixmi (Basque name for Jésus), and he descended from his mountains to announce the good news. While he is the gift-giver of Pays Basque, leaving gifts for children in the night between the 24th and 25th of December, entering in the house by the chimney ; he is also a bogeyman figure, as he was a scary-looking man who was said to take away in a bag naughty children. As with everything Basque, Olentzero is actually a pre-Christian figure, as the very name of the character is related to the "pagan" winter solstice celebrations of the old Basque religion.

[Again, time to bring some more information from other websites to make sure I give a more complete portrait:

Long story short, because the Basque folklore is very well documented and I can't spend too much time on this, the Olentzero (or Olentzaro, Orentzaro, Omentzaro, Orantzaro...) is at the same time the Basque name for Christmas and the Basque figure of the coal-man that brings gifts during Christmas. He is supposed to be a grotesque character - rude, fat, dirty, gluttonous, his face blackened by soot, with worn-out clothes... He is basically a caricature of mountain-men and forest-men. Sometimes he is even given monstrous traits such as "having as many eyes as there are days in the year, plus one" - which is reminding of a French being of the New Year folklore called L'Homme aux Nez who also has as many noses as there are days in the year...He typically holds branches of gorse in one hand and a sickle in the other.

He comes down from the mountains, enters houses by chimneys, goes into the kitchen once everybody goes to sleep to eat all leftover food, and he warms himself by the fire - either you had to leave a log burning just for him, either he used the flames of the fire to burn his gorse branches. In fact, "olentzero" was also the name of a special log that was left bruning in the fireplace from Christmas to the 1st or 6th of January. This theme of the "coal man" of winter or the burning of branches all answers to a deep motif of bringing back light and heat in the heart of the cold and the dark. Him holding a sickle has made people draw parallel between him and the figure of Saturn/Kronos.

In fact, there is an old tradition, long before the Olentzero was embodied by a disguised man or by a mannequin paraded through the villages, to embody the character simply by the sickle. The sickle hanged by the chimney, as a threat to all disobedient children, to all lying children, and to all children that refused to go to bed. Another symbol of the Olentzero, outside of the sickle and the coal-sack, is a wine-bag or wine-bottle that he carries around, because to add to the grotesque he is also a drunkard, and according to stories it is because he gets often drunk that his wife regularly beats him. (Because yes the Olentzero has a wife, a character named Mari Domingi and who is typically depicted wearing a medieval regional outfit). However it seems that all this grotesqueness is simply due to the Olentzero being a character from the old Basque mythology that got Christianized - think of how the Dagda of Celtic mythology also got more buffoonish/clownesque/grotesque as time passed. We do know that the roots and origins of the character lie in the valley of Bidassoa...)

Today gone is the creepy bogeyman and grotesque glutton ; the Olentzero has evolved into a kinder, nicer, cleaner incarnation that is closer to the Père Noël traditions. For example he now parades through streets during the day, riding a horse (pottok) or by foot, giving children candies and sweets (including fake-coal actually made of sugar) ; and the legend claims he goes down from the mountain to offer coal and wood-logs to the poor families that can't afford fuel for their fire]

And finally, we find back our good old Père Janvier! Here we have most of the same info as previous. Père Janvier was a Bourgogne character, most present in the Morvan and Nivernais regions up until the 1930s. He brings gifts in the night between the 31st of December and the 1st of January by going through the chimney - chimney which must be decorated with holy and mistletoe. Père Janvier (Father January) typically looks like a skinny old man with a long white beard, dressed in a brown monk-like robe, and he is usually bent due to wearing on his back a heavy wicker basket filled with toys. And he too has for companion the Père Fouettard.

Most interestingly, the website mentions "Père Janvier variations" across France, most notably the Savoie character of Père Chalande, and the Normandie character of Barbassioné.

More information from other website. Le Père Chalande (or Papa Chalande, Daddy Chalande) was indeed a figure of the Savoie region, but also of the Dauphiné, and he was also present in Geneva. Martyne Perrot, in her book "Faut-il croire au Père Noël? Idées reçues sur Noël" even lists the area of action of this figure as: Savoie, Suisse romande, Bresse, Forez, Ardèche, Gard, Lozère and Hérault. He is basically identical to Père Noël because "Chalande" is just an old word for "Noël" (Christmas) in the regional language known as arpitan.

There was a traditional song that went as such: Chalande est venu / Son chapeau pointu / Sa barbe de paille / Cassons les anailles (noisettes) / Mangeons du pain blanc / Jusqu’à Nouvel An. / Il monte dans sa chambre / Il trouve une orange / Il la pluche / Il la mange / On l’appelle le petit gourmand. / Il descend les escaliers / Il se casse le bout du nez / Il va chez le cordonnier / Se faire mettre une pièce au nez / Quand il est malade / Il mange de la salade / Quand il est guéri / Il mange des souris/ Toutes pourries !

I can't translate the full song, but it refers to various traditions. For example leaving an orange for Père Chalande ; Père Chalande wearing a "beard of straw and a pointy hat" (leftovers of Saint Nicolas, especially the pointy hat) ; Père Chalande giving "anailles" (walnuts) to children ; and the habit of placing inside the Christmas log (real log of the fire) chestnuts, so that the burning of the Christmas log doubled as the cooking of the wintery treats. Raymond Christinger wrote in 1965, in a set of research about Geneva folklore, an article studying the character of Chalande, if you know how to read French: here.

While doing Chalande research I stumbled upon a Swiss theory brought forward by a journalist named Bernard Léchot - I don't know how accurate this is when it comes to actual evolution of Christmas figures, but here it is. According to him, the Christmas archetype of the "Old Man" actually comes 18th century Germany. In this era of rationalism, the German Protestant landgraves decided to introduce some laicity to their country, and so cut-off all characters close to Christianity from their Christmas celebrations (from Saint Nicholas to Christkindl). As a result, pagan figures returned, including the Old Man in the shape of Weihnachtsmann. Which then spread to other European countries, each land creating its variation: Bonhomme Noël in France, Father Christmas in England, Père Chalande in Savoie.

As for the Barbassioné of Normandie, I found nothing about him. As in every says it is the Normandie name of Père Noël, but he doesn't have any specific thing to his character.

To conclude, I will link you to a page documenting a Père Noël/Christmas beings exposition that collected various visuals of the history of the Christmas gift-givers through time, right here.

And through it you will see the evolution from the "Scandinavian ancestors" (Thor and Odin) and Saint Nicolas (celebrated in Germanic countries and the Alsace region), to the American Santa Claus and the British "Old Father Christmas", passing by the Germanic Knecht Ruprecht, the also Germanic Weihnachtsmann, the Christinkindel (of Germany, Belgium and Alsace), the Jultomte of Sweden, and the Enfant Jésus/Child-Jesus of France and Italy...

Without forgetting the French Bonhomme Noël, the Italian Befana, the regional ancestors of Père Noël (Tante Arie, Père Chalande, or the Breton Ted Nedelec), the Russian Ded Moroz, and Mère Noël (Mother Christmas)... With additional sections about Santa Claus in advertisements, the theme of "outlaw Father Christmas", Père Noël during the World Wars, and more...

[michael-garciart]

MERRY XMAS!

[salem-house-press]

Olentzero the toy maker.

[politaxl]

Últimas dos unidades de este vestido!!! Quedan tallas 50/52 y 54/56 Todavía estás a tiempo de pedírselo a Olentzero 🎁 Hoy horario normal mañana sábado de 11:00 a 14:00 Eguberri on!!! #olentzero #feliznavidad #feliznatal #eguberrion #politaxl #carniceriavieja #cascoviejodebilbao #cascoviejo #bilbaodendak #bilbaostyle #instagood #instastyle #instalove #instalike #inlove #instagram #lookdeldía #lookdodia #photooftheday #photo #photographer #photography #navidad2022 #navidad (en Bilbao, Spain) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cmg8LSetqIP/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[beautiful-basque-country]

Old giant man, poor Olentzero being reduced to that.

And btw, Anjana in Cantabria?? That's totally bullshit. Anjana is a character of Cantabrian mythology and that's it. The gift bringer there is Papá Noel or The 3 Wise Men.

Christmas gift bringers of Europe 🎄

[basqueneskak]

When I was a child I never got the Sylvanian Families I asked Olentzero for and gods I'm so happy I didn't, now the house would be full of these! I'm still obsessed with them.

[ladymoustachecomunicacion]

Un año más, todas las personas que formamos parte de Lady Moustache queremos desearos unas muy felices y gatunas fiestas y que comencéis el año celebrándolo por todo lo alto.

Y, ¿por qué gatunas? Porque los gatos tienen bigotes y nos gustan los bigotes. Y porque queremos recomendar que no te fíes de ‘NOGATOS’, mejor vente a Lady Moustache para comenzar con tus estrategias de comunicación.

Si aún no ha escrito la carta a Olentzero, Papá Noel o los Reyes Magos, aún estás a tiempo de pedir una actualización del branding de tu empresa, una web para tu negocio o una estrategia reflexionada de comunicación en www.ladymoustache.es.

Nuestros mejores deseos para el año 2023, ¡Feliz Navidad! Eguberri on!

Queremos agradecer la participación de Groove (el gato) en la felicitación de este año y a Jennifer, diseñadora de Lady Moustache y humana al servicio de nuestro prota.

[nitewrighter]

holiday outfit for rei?

Ooohh! You know the battlepass really makes me sad because I really miss seasonal skins and it looks like any skins that would be "Winter Wonderland" are probably going to be locked behind bundles (Barf). But I did Winter Wonderland skins for the fankids in the past, it would be a fun challenge to try a couple again!!

Rei: Frost Fairy--Okay I know I say that the snow/ice themes are Blizzard phoning it in, but when both Mercy and Genji have ice skins, it seems only appropriate. Her wings are complex and spiky, reminiscent of hoarfrost. Rei's hair is tinted white and pushed back from her face in a kind of wild shoulder-length mane held back by a silvery headband crest reminiscent of Genji's Ice Wraith helmet, with two icicle horns peeking out underneath. Her clothes incorporate some armor-like elements from Genji's Ice wraith skin, but is probably closer to the Banuk clothing in Horizon Zero Dawn.

Aedan: First Frost--A skin that has both autumnal and winter elements, Aedan's clothes are composed of scarlet autumn leaves outlined in silvery white by frost. Very Thranduil vibes. His red hair has white streaks in it and he wears a twiggy laurel-like crown of leaves also touched by frost. His eyes are tinted golden yellow in this skin. Because ya girl loves her Prince Nuada vibes.

Jaime: Olentzero--Olentzero Jaime wears and black beret and blue neck scarf, as well as traditional black, gray, and blue Basque farmer's clothing smudged with coal dust all over. There's a wineskin at his hip and a pipe in his mouth. There's a slightly ghostly effect on his ability animations.

Marti: Eggnog---A cute confectionary skin that's a lovely cream-color with a cinnamon brown gradient. Marti dons a peacoat shawl dress with wooly trimming to mimic the foam. Marti's hair is tied up in a big bouncy curly blown-out ponytail with cinnamon stick hairstick accessory. She wears white leggings with a cable-knit pattern and cute chunky brown wool-lined boots. There will be some debate as to whether the skin should be called the "eggnog" skin or the "horchata" skin but like--I mean you can drink horchata all year, so we're leaning towards the eggnog skin.

Faustine: C.E.O (Chief Elf Officer)--Faustine dons pointy ears, a high bun secured with a sprig of holly, a pencil behind one ear, and a sexy green pencil skirt and green vest with gold damask texture effects. The dress shirt has a sort of frilly cravat collar decorated with a gold brooch. Comes with a "Checking it twice" emote where she checks a tablet and looks up judgmentally.

[ilargikat]

I spend the whole year waiting for the Roscon, it is the best sweet in the world !!

Happy Christmas Epiphany! In Spain we know it as Three King's Day and it's the day we mostly give out gifts, well correction, the "Reyes magos" brings us the gifts.

Today we also celebrate it eating the "Roscón de Reyes" a donut like cake filled with different kinds of fillings, usually cream, and topped with candied fruit. Inside the cake there's a bean and a small figurine hidden. If you get the bean, it's your turn to bring next year the Roscón and if you get the figurine you get to be the Rey (king) and you can wear the crown. The kiddos love it ☺️

[beautiful-basque-country]

Kaixo ~ I’m curious what are holidays or dates that see important to Basque people?

Kaixo anon! Thanks for your ask 😊 I guess there are more local festivities or special days for other people, but I guess these are the most general ones:

St Thomas' fair: a very important date for Basque people since today is the day when winter officially starts - some people think this fair was originally dedicated to the solstice - and also the Christmas holidays: children have their last day of school until January and it’s a day of general celebration. A very big market is set so people can buy their ingredients for the Xmas Eve dinner, and the most traditional thing to do is to eat talo- a toasted cornmeal flatbread - with chorizo or txistorra, a Basque speciality similar to the former, but thinner and juicier. Of course you have to help that food go down with cider or txakoli, our traditional white wine. It's always CROWDED:

Xmas celebrations: more or less like in any West European city tbh, but here we have two parades for the kids. The one of Olentzero (our very own xmas gifts bringer) on Xmas Eve:

and then on January 5th, the parade of the Three Wise men, that's also celebrated by more Iberian nations:

And last but certainly not least, the summer festivities in the capitals: starting with Sanfermines in early July

.. then the festivities in Baiona in mid-July...

... moving on to Maria Zuria celebrations in Gasteiz in early August...

Aste Nagusi in Donostia mid-August...

... and Aste Nagusi in Bilbo to finish the month...

For me they're the Holy Trinity of the special days for most Basque people. Of course there are more local special days and more events that gather many like regattas, 1st Monday of Gernika, Ordizia Cheese Championship, Korrika, several races, Chocolate day in Baiona, Lanterns Parade in Gasteiz, etc.

But these ones mentioned are the biggest ones.

[descubredonostia]

La Magie de Noël à Saint-Sébastien

Noël à Saint-Sébastien transforme Donostia/Saint-Sébastien en un décor de conte de fées, rempli de lumières éblouissantes, de musique joyeuse et d'une ambiance qui fait ressentir la magie des fêtes dans chaque recoin. Avec des illuminations qui éclairent chaque rue, des marchés qui offrent des délices locaux et des traditions qui capturent l'esprit des fêtes, cette ville côtière devient une destination idéale pour vivre la magie de Noël à Saint-Sébastien. Les visiteurs découvrent une atmosphère chaleureuse et vibrante, où les traditions basques se mêlent à la joie universelle de Noël. Venez découvrir comment la ville célèbre cette période si spéciale, pleine de moments inoubliables qui enrichissent l'esprit.

Des journées pleines de charme

Illumination des Lumières (1er décembre à 18h30, Pont de Santa Catalina) Le début officiel des festivités est marqué par l'illumination traditionnelle des lumières le 1er décembre. À 18h30, le Pont de Santa Catalina s'illumine, créant un spectacle visuel qui s'étend dans toute la ville. Familles et visiteurs se rassemblent pour profiter de cet événement qui emplit les rues d'une lueur chaude et festive. L'émotion et l'esprit de Noël se font sentir à chaque coin de rue. Pendant cet événement, les sourires et l'enthousiasme se propagent, tandis que les gens partagent ce moment tant attendu avec leurs proches. Les lumières, qui semblent danser au rythme de la musique festive, emplissent l'air d'une ambiance pleine d'optimisme et de magie. Foire de Saint Thomas (21 décembre) Le 21 décembre, la Foire de Saint Thomas fait revivre les traditions basques dans toute leur splendeur. Toute la journée, la ville se remplit de stands proposant des produits locaux : chistorra, fromage, cidre et bien d'autres. C'est le moment parfait pour déguster le meilleur de la gastronomie régionale tout en profitant de l'ambiance festive. Les costumes traditionnels et la musique complètent cette expérience unique qui relie les visiteurs à la culture basque. De plus, les habitants de Donostia s'habillent en costumes typiques de baserritarras, créant une atmosphère encore plus authentique et festive. L'odeur de la chistorra emplit l'air, et la musique des accordéons et des tambourins accompagne le brouhaha de la foire, faisant de ce jour l'un des plus mémorables de Noël à Donostia. Défilé d'Olentzero et de Mari Domingi (24 décembre) La veille de Noël est célébrée par le défilé d'Olentzero et de Mari Domingi, deux personnages emblématiques de la mythologie basque. Du matin à l'après-midi, ils parcourent les différents quartiers de Donostia pour distribuer des cadeaux et de la joie aux enfants. La musique et les danses traditionnelles accompagnent leur passage, remplissant les rues de bonheur. Olentzero, le charbonnier qui apporte des cadeaux, et Mari Domingi, sa compagne inséparable, symbolisent l'esprit de Noël basque. Pendant le défilé, les enfants vivent des moments magiques en recevant des friandises et de petits cadeaux, tandis que les familles se rassemblent pour voir passer ces personnages bien-aimés. Les rues se remplissent de rires et de chansons, créant une atmosphère où la tradition et la magie se rencontrent pour faire de la veille de Noël à Saint-Sébastien un jour vraiment spécial. Cortège des Rois Mages (5 janvier à 18h00) Le 5 janvier, la ville attend avec impatience l'arrivée de Melchior, Gaspard et Balthazar. À 18h00, le cortège commence au Boulevard, parcourant les principales rues comme l'Avenida de la Liberté et la Place de Gipuzkoa. Les Rois, sur leurs magnifiques chars, saluent les enfants et les adultes tout en distribuant des bonbons et en partageant des sourires. L'excitation est palpable à chaque coin de rue, les petits attendant impatiemment la nuit magique où les Rois leur laisseront des cadeaux. Les chars, ornés de lumières et de couleurs brillantes, avancent au rythme de la musique, et les familles profitent du spectacle sous le ciel étoilé d'hiver. Les Rois Mages s'arrêtent à des points clés pour saluer les enfants, créant des moments pleins d'émotion et d'espoir, alors que tout le monde attend l'arrivée des cadeaux et la magie de la nuit des Rois.

Ambiance de Noël

Illuminations de Noël (1er décembre - 7 janvier) Les illuminations de Noël à Donostia sont une véritable œuvre d'art. Du 1er décembre au 7 janvier, les rues et bâtiments se parent de milliers de lumières qui mettent en valeur la beauté de l'architecture locale. Se promener dans la ville sous ce spectacle lumineux est une expérience magique, surtout dans des lieux comme l'Avenida de la Liberté et la Place de Gipuzkoa. L'ambiance lumineuse transforme chaque promenade en un voyage plein de charme, où chaque coin de la ville semble sorti d'un conte de fées. Les lumières décorent non seulement les façades, mais elles illuminent aussi les sourires de ceux qui les admirent, créant une connexion spéciale entre les visiteurs et l'esprit festif de Donostia. Crèche de la Place Gipuzkoa La Place de Gipuzkoa devient un lieu incontournable avec sa crèche traditionnelle. Cette scène de la Nativité raconte l'histoire de Noël avec des personnages soigneusement réalisés et des détails qui enchantent petits et grands. C'est un espace de contemplation et de réflexion, où l'ambiance festive se mêle à la spiritualité de la saison. Les détails minutieux de la crèche, des animaux aux personnages humains, invitent à s'arrêter et à apprécier le travail artistique derrière chaque pièce. La musique douce et les sons de la nature recréés dans la crèche ajoutent une touche spéciale, faisant de cet espace un endroit parfait pour se détendre et s'immerger dans le véritable esprit de Noël. Grande Roue à Alderdi Eder (18 novembre - 31 janvier) Pour ceux qui recherchent une vue inoubliable, la grande roue installée à Alderdi Eder est une expérience incontournable. Du haut, on peut admirer la ville illuminée, avec des vues panoramiques incluant la baie de La Concha et les lumières de Noël. Cette attraction, disponible jusqu'à la fin janvier, est parfaite à partager en famille ou entre amis, créant des souvenirs magiques. Monter sur la grande roue est encore plus spécial la nuit, lorsque les lumières de la ville se reflètent dans l'eau de la baie, créant une carte postale parfaite qui reste gravée dans la mémoire de ceux qui la contemplent. La grande roue est devenue l'un des symboles de Noël à Saint-Sébastien, et c'est l'endroit idéal pour créer des moments inoubliables et vivre la ville d'une perspective différente.

Marchés de Noël

Marché au Paseo del Urumea et Place Ramón Labayen (1er décembre - 7 janvier) Le marché de Noël sur le Paseo del Urumea et la Place Ramón Labayen offre une expérience de shopping charmante. Des produits artisanaux aux délices gastronomiques, les stands regorgent d'options parfaites pour offrir ou savourer pendant les fêtes. L'ambiance est joyeuse et animée, avec la musique en fond sonore et les lumières qui illuminent chaque espace. Chaque stand propose quelque chose d'unique : des douceurs comme les turrones et polvorones, jusqu'aux objets artisanaux qui reflètent la culture locale. Les familles flânent parmi les étals, profitant des arômes des produits fraîchement préparés et de l'atmosphère festive qui imprègne chaque recoin du marché. Mercadabadillo au Kursaal (8 - 10 décembre) Pendant trois jours, le Mercadabadillo au Kursaal réunit artisans et producteurs locaux. On y trouve des articles uniques, parfaits pour ceux qui cherchent des cadeaux spéciaux. Le marché propose aussi des activités pour toute la famille, rendant la visite complète. Ateliers pour enfants, démonstrations d'artisanat en direct et dégustations de produits locaux font du Mercadabadillo un événement où chaque membre de la famille trouve de quoi se réjouir. Rencontrer les artisans et écouter les histoires derrière chaque création ajoute une valeur spéciale à chaque achat. Foire Artisanale à la Place Catalogne (15 décembre - 5 janvier) À la Place Catalogne, la Foire Artisanale est l'endroit idéal pour découvrir des créations originales faites à la main. Des bijoux aux décorations, chaque produit raconte une histoire et reflète la créativité des artisans locaux. Cette foire est un espace où l'art et la tradition se rencontrent. Les artisans montrent avec fierté leur travail, et les visiteurs ont l'occasion d'acheter des pièces uniques et personnalisées, transformant chaque cadeau en quelque chose de vraiment spécial. Se promener dans la foire, c'est comme entrer dans un monde de créativité sans limites, où chaque article a une touche spéciale qui reflète la passion de ceux qui l'ont créé. Foire Spéciale de Noël à Ordizia (27 décembre) Le 27 décembre, Ordizia célèbre une foire spéciale sur la Place du Marché. Ici, les visiteurs peuvent profiter de produits de qualité et de l'ambiance unique de ce marché. C'est une occasion de mieux connaître les traditions de Noël de la région et de repartir avec les meilleurs produits locaux. La foire est pleine de couleurs, de saveurs et de sons qui reflètent la richesse de la culture basque. Les produits frais et les spécialités locales, comme les fromages et les charcuteries, sont au centre de l'attention, et les visiteurs apprécient non seulement leurs achats, mais aussi la rencontre avec les producteurs et l'apprentissage de leurs traditions.

Conclusion

Noël à Saint-Sébastien est une période pleine de magie et de tradition. Des événements emblématiques comme l'illumination des lumières et les défilés aux marchés qui proposent le meilleur de la culture locale, la ville devient un lieu enchanteur à vivre en famille. Si vous cherchez une destination de Noël qui allie beauté, tradition et ambiance festive incomparable, Donostia est l'endroit idéal. Chaque recoin de la ville se pare de ses plus beaux atours pour accueillir des visiteurs du monde entier, offrant des expériences uniques, qu'elles soient gastronomiques ou culturelles. La magie de Noël à Saint-Sébastien ne se vit pas seulement, elle se partage, créant des souvenirs inoubliables qui perdurent bien au-delà des fêtes. Read the full article

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Mythic Creatures by Culture & Region

Part 3: Europe (Basque, Rome, Viking, Great Britain)

This list documents mythological and folkloric creatures of Ancient Europe, the British Isles and Scandinavia as found on Wikipedia.

European creatures from Eastern Europe, France, Germany, Italy, Greece etc. will be listed in a separate post. The same goes for Biblical creatures or creatures from Abrahamic religions and Goetia literature. The full list of creatures is here.

Basque

Basque people live in what is today northern Spain. Their language is the only surviving language in Europe that isn't part of the Indo-European family tree, likely because the Basques live in secluded mountain areas. I have listed some deities alongside creatures, but this is a full list of Wikipedia's Basque creatures, not a full list of Wikipedia's gods/goddesses/deities for Basque culture.

Aatxe; Aide air goddess; Akerbeltz; Amalur; Basajaun; Eate (Basque god); Egoi; Eki (Basque goddess); Fountain Women; Gaizkiñ; Gaueko; Herensuge; Ilargi; Inguma; Iratxo ; Iratxoak; Jentil; Lamignak; Mairu; Minairó also Catalan; Odei; Olentzero; Orko; San Martin Txiki; Tartalo

Proto-Indo-European

Proto-Indo-European (or PIE) is the reconstructed ancestor to all major European languages, excluding Basque and languages from later diasporas.

Dʰéǵʰōm; Proto-Indo-European Myth; Double-headed eagle maybe not PIE but Bronze Age

Roman

Abarimon (Pliny the Elder, whose source is supposedly a land surveyor of Alexander the Great); Aborigines_Roman myth\; Achlis (Pliny the Elder); Caligo, see Achlys; Aegipan (Pliny the Elder locates them in Libya); Albruna Germanic seeress attested by Tacitus; Amazons, Amazons (List); Anguiped also Greek and Iranian.; Antichthones; Astomi Pliny the Elder; Aura; Bonnacon Pliny the Elder; Caca; Caeneus; Caladrius; Calingae Pliny the Elder; Camilla; Catoblepas Pliny the Elder; Cimbrian seeresses mentioned by Strabo; Crocotta Strabo and Pliny the Elder; Cupid; Di Penates; Echeneis Pliny the Elder; Ethiopian pegasus Pliny the Elder; Faun, Faunus ; Faunae, Fauni; Faustulus; Forest Bull Pliny the Elder; Fraus; Genius; Genius loci; Gorgades; Hellusians Tacitus claims they live beyond the Finns; Hircocervus; Hooded Spirits; Hydrus Pliny the Elder; Ichneumon Pliny the Elder; Ichthyophagoi; Indus worm; Iphis; Kings of Alba Longa; Lampedo Amazon; Lares; Lares Familiares; Lemures; Mandi; Manes; Manticore; Monoceros Pliny the Elder; Monopod; Odontotyrannus; Orcus; Pandi; Phoenix; Phthisis; Pyrausta Pliny the Elder; Querquetulanae; Remora; Salamander; Seps; Silvanus; Strix; Syrbotae Pliny the Elder; Tarand; Theow Pliny the Elder; Unicorn; Wild Man, Wild Woman ; Wild Men, Wild Women; Yale

Etruscan

Charun; Orcus; Tuchulcha; Vanth; Vegoia

Britain

Apple Tree Man; Ascapart giant from chivalric romance dating to 1300s; Asrai Cheshire and Shropshire; Barghest north England; Beast of Dean; Beithir; Billy Blind England and Scottish Lowlands; Black Annis; Black Dog; Black Shuck; Bluecap; Blunderbore; Bogeyman; Boggart; Bogle Northumbrian; Brag Northumbrian; British Wild Cats; Brown Man of the Muirs anglo-scottish border; Brownie ; Brownies; Bucca Cornish; Bugbear; Burryman; Butter Sprite; Calygreyhound; Cat-sìth; Cauld Lad of Hylton; Inspiration/Directories/Bestiary (Myth and Legend)/A-Z/Changeling|Changeling; Christchurch Dragon; Cirein-cròin; Cock Lane Ghost; Cockatrice (explicitly British); Cofgod; Colbrand (giant); Colt pixie; Cormoran (giant); Dando's Dogs; Drummer of Tedworth; Dun Cow; Dunnie Northumbrian; Elder Mother; English Fairies; Ettin; Fairy story (Northumbria); Fetch; Finfolk Orkney; Girt Dog of Ennerdale; Goram and Vincent (giants); Grendel; Grendel's Mother; Grimalkin; Grindylow; Gytrash; Habetrot (Northumbrian?? border counties between England and Scottish Lowlands); Hob; Hobbididance; Hobgoblin ; Hobgoblins; Imp; Jack and the Beanstalk; Jack Frost; Jack in the Green; Jack o' Legs; Jack o' the bowl; Jack the Giant Killer; Jack-In-Irons; Joan-in-the-Wad; Kilmoulis Anglo-Scottish border; Knocker; Knucker; Korred; Krabat; Lambton Worm; Lantern Man; Lazy Laurence; Lubberfiend; Martlet; Mary Lakeland (accused witch); Mermaid of Zennor; Morgan le Fay; Morgawr; Nanny Rutt; Nelly Longarms; Nuckelavee Orkney; Nuggle Shetland; Pantheon_the_creature; Peg Powler; Penhill Giant; Pictish Beast Picts; Pillywiggin; Pixie; Portunes; Púca; Puck; Puck_Shakespeare; Queen of Elphame (Northumbrian?? border counties between England and Scottish Lowlands); Redcap English-Scottish border; Screaming skull; Sea Mither Orkney; Sebile; Sheela na Gig; Shug Monkey; Simonside Dwarfs; Sockburn Worm; Spriggan ; Spriggans; Sprite ; Sprites; Stoor worm; Sweet William's Ghost; Tangie Orkney and Shetland; The Black Dog of Newgate; The Elder Mother also Scandinavian; The Hedley Kow Northumberland; The King of the Cats; The Laidly Worm of Spindleston Heugh Northumbrian; The Queen of Elfan's Nourice; Thunderdell Cornish; Tiddalik; Tom Hickathrift; Tooth Fairy; Tree Elves; Trow; Unicorn; Wight; Wild Man, Wild Woman ; Wild Men, Wild Women; William of Lindholme; Worm of Linton; Wyvern; Yallery Brown

Isle of Man

Adene, elves?; Arkan sonney "lucky piggy"; Ben-Varrey see "Mermaid"; Buggane; Cailleach; Fenodyree; Glashan; Glashtyn; Jimmy Squarefoot; Moddey Dhoo; Mooinjer Veggey; Sleigh Beggey; Tree Elves; Water Bull

Irish

Abarta either Tuatha or Fomorian (depends on account); Abcán the poet and musician of the Tuatha, a dwarf (in stature?); Abhartach; Aes Sidhe; Aibell, an elf queen (banshee, ruler of a fairy mound); Aillen, the "burner" a monstrous Tuatha; Aos Sí; Badb; Balor; Bánánach; Banshee; Baobhan Sith; Biróg a lheannan sidhe; Bodach also Scottish; Bran and Sceólang; Brendan the Navigator; Cailleach; Carman; Cas Corach; Cat-sìth also Scottish; Cathbad; Cethlenn; Cichol Gricenchos; Clíodhna; Clurican; Conand; Crom Cruach; Cù-sìth; Dobhar-chú; Donn Cúailnge; Dullahan; Each-uisge; Echtra; Elatha; Ellén Trechend; Enbarr; Ethniu; Failinis; Fear Doirich; Fear gorta; Finvarra; Fionn mac Cumhaill; Fionnuala; Fir Bolg; Fir Darrig; Fomorian; Gancanagh; Garb mac Stairn; Glas Gaibhnenn; Immram; Irish Mythic Creatures; Iubdan; Joint-eater; Kelpie; Leprechaun; Les Lavandières; Lhiannan-Sidhe; Liban; Inspiration/Directories/Bestiary (Myth and Legend)/A-Z/Manannán mac Lir|Manannán mac Lir; Medb (Queen Maeve); Merrow ; Merrows; Mongfind; Muckie; Mug Ruith; Nel; Niamh; Oilliphéist; Onchú; Pillywiggin; Púca; Sadhbh; Salmon of Knowledge; Scáthach; Selkie; Sengann; Seonaidh; Sheela na Gig; Sidhe; Sìth also Scottish; Sluagh also Scottish; Sovereignty goddess; Sreng; Swan Maiden; Tethra; The Morrígan; The Voyage of Bran; The Voyage of Máel Dúin; The Voyage of the Uí Chorra; Tlachtga; Tuatha dé Danaan; Werewolf; Werewolves of Ossory; Wild Man, Wild Woman ; Wild Men, Wild Women; Wyvern allegedly Irish; Cymidei Cymeinfoll

Scotland

Am Fear Liath Mòr; Red Cap; Bauchan; Bean-nighe; Beast of Beinn a' Bheithir; Betram de Shotts; Biasd Bheulach; Billy Blind lowlands and England; Blue Men of the Minch; Bodach also Irish; Boobrie west coast Scottish lochs; Broichan wizard of Pictland (north Scotland); Brown Man of the Muirs anglo-scottish border; Brownie ; Brownies; Cailleach; Cain bairns; Ceasg; Cù-sìth; Each-uisge; Fachan; Fuath; Ghillie Dhu; Gigelorum; Glaistig; Gormshuil Mhòr na Maighe; Kelpie also Irish; Lavellan; Les Lavandières; Ly Erg; Maggy Moulach; Morag; Muc-sheilch; Nicnevin; Pech; Red Cap; Seelie; Shellycoat; Sìth also Irish; Sithchean Hebrides; Sluagh; Spey-wife; Tam Lin; The Green Man of Knowledge; Water Bull; Water Horse; Wild Haggis; Wirry-cow; Wulver

Welsh

Adar Llwch Gwin; Adar Rhiannon birds from Mabinogi and Welsh Arthurian tales; Aderyn y corff, corpse bird, portent of death; Afanc; Arawn; Bendith y Mamau see Tylwyth Teg; Blodeuwedd; Brenin Llwyd; Bres Tuatha; Buwch Frech; Bwciod; Cath Palug; Ceffyl Dŵr; Coblynau; Cŵn Annwn; Cyhyraeth; Cymidei Cymeinfoll; Cythraul; Dormarch; Gwagged Annwn or Gwragedd Annwn; Gwrgi Garwlwyd; Gwyllgi; Gwyllion; Gwyn ap Nudd; Henwen; Idris Gawr; Jack o' Kent; Les Lavandières; Llamhigyn Y Dwr; Maelor Gawr; March Malaen; Mari Lwyd; Morgen; Sleigh Beggey also Manx; Swan Maiden; Twrch Trwyth; Tylwyth Teg; Welsh Dragon; Welsh Giant; White dragon; Wild Hunt; Wyvern; Y Ladi Wen; Ysbaddaden; Ysgithyrwyn

Scandinavian (Viking, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland)

Æsir; Æsir–Vanir War; Alberich in Thidrekssaga written in 1250 in Norway, possibly based on a Plattdeutsch original (also appears in German Nibelungenlied from 1200 in Passau, Bavaria and Ortnit from 1230s Germany, Strassburg; Álfablót sacrifice to elves; Alvaldi jotun; Askafroa German "Eschenfrau"; Bergsrå; Berserker; Bøyg; Brokkr dwarf; Brunnmigi; Bysen; Church grim; Dagr; Death; Deildegast; Di sma undar jordi; Disir; Dökkálfar; Draugr; Dvalinn; Dwarf ; Dwarfs, Dwarves; Eikþyrnir; Einherjar; Elder Mother; Elli; Endill jotun; Fenrir; Fin; Fjölvar; Fjörgyn and Fjörgynn; Fossegrim; Fylgiar; Gangr; Garmr; Gjenganger; Glenr; Gríðr; Grýla and Leppalúði; Gulon; Hábrók; Hafgufa; Half-elf; Hamingja; Hati Hróðvitnisson; Helhest; Hervör alvitr; Hildr; Hlaðguðr svanhvít; Hljod; Hlökk; Hræsvelgr; Hrímgerðr; Hrímgrímnir; Hroðr; Hrymr; Hulder; Huldufólk; Humli; Hyrrokkin; Iði; Ím (joetunn); Járnsaxa; Jörmungandr; Jötunn; Katie Woodencloak; Kraken; Lagarfljótsormur; Landdisir; Landvættir; Leikn; Ljósálfar; Lyngbakr; Marmennill; Móðguðr; Mögþrasir; Mound Folk; Myling; Nafnaþulur; Níðhöggr; Niß Puck; Nisse; Norns; Norse_Nude_Snake_Witch; Nótt; Nykken; Odin; Púca; Rå; Rådande; Ratatoskr; Sæhrímnir; Selkolla; Selma; Sjörå; Skogsrå; Sköll; Skrat; Skuld (half-elf princess); Skvader; Slattenpatte; Sleipnir; Storsjöodjuret; Sumarr and Vetr; Surtr; Svaðilfari; Svartálfar; Swan Maiden; The Elder Mother also English; The Giant Who Had No Heart in His Body; Tilberi; Tooth Fairy; Tree Elves; Troll; Troll Cat; Vættir; Valkyrie; Valravn; Vanir; Vardøger; Veðrfölnir; Viðfinnr; Vittra; Vǫrðr; Vörnir (joetunn); Vosud; Werewolf; Wight; Wild Hunt; Wild Man, Wild Woman ; Wild Men, Wild Women; Worm of Linton; Wurm; Ysätters-Kajsa; Yule cat; Þorbjörg lítilvölva; Þorgerðr Hölgabrúðr and Irpa; Þrívaldi; Þuríðr Sundafyllir

Note: Although most European lore is easily implemented into art and fiction without causing lasting cultural damage, there may be some European cultures (from Basque to Welsh) whose cultures have been subject to cultural suppression. Notify me if there are mistakes or if I need to add disclaimers or revisions concerning these creatures.

[opmythologyzine]

🌊 ABOUT THE MYTH... 🌊

hgatoart took inspiration from the Galtzagorries for their piece!

The Galtzagorries are little goblins who are caught with pin boxes and ordered to aid humans. Once they are domesticated, they annoyingly demand tasks from their owners, which they do during the night when everyone is asleep. They are often featured as Olentzero's helpers, a man who gives kids presents if they are good and coal if they are naughty.

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