Antoine d'Abbadie Hegoaldean (1879-1895)

Abstract

Floral Games, sponsored and set up by Antoine d’Abbadie, crossed the Pyrenees and started in the Peninsular Basque Country in 1879. The contribution of the Basque Association of Navarre made it possible for the lyrical contests to travel through many towns: Elizondo, as the starting point, Irun, Markina, Urnieta, Doneztebe, Iurreta, Azpeitia, Bera, Areatza. The move did not, however, bring about any major changes in the original Floral Games. They remained festive expressions which included a literary debate, the competition being the key element. Bertsolaris, irrintzilaris, pelotaris... and poets all competed in their respective fields.