On Easter Sunday, Luzaide/Valcarlos celebrates what is known as Bolant eguna, or Day of ‘Los Bolantes’. The carnival troupe, made up of a varying number of ‘dantzaris’ (dancers) and characters, parades and dances through the village centre and some of its neighbourhoods (Pekotxeta and Bentak), and also visits Arnegi. The festival takes its name from one of these characters: the ‘bolantak’.
Although this festival has its roots in Carnival, during the 20th century the date changed and since 1970 it has been celebrated at Easter.
Over the years, some of its characters or ‘dantzaris’ have disappeared, while others, such as the ‘Bolantak’, have become more prominent. In 1967, women participated in the Day of ‘Los Bolantes’ for the first time. Since then, they have become part of the festival with different dances and varying costumes.
The costumes we see in the exhibition were made by Anuntxi Mezdaza, a resident of Luzaide/Valcarlos:
THE MOST IMPORTANT FIGURE OF THE FESTIVAL:
‘Bolanta’
They parade at the end of the troupe, in the place of honour. It is worth mentioning that the hat we see in the exhibition stopped being used many years ago. Nowadays, the ‘Bolantak’ wear a red beret like the one worn by the character Gorria, decorated with gold braid and two woollen tassels called ‘punpunak’.
- ‘Neskatoa’: The ‘neskatoak’ costume has changed and varied over the years. Today, they wear a green bodice like the one we see here, or a maroon one.
- ‘Gorria’: They carry a wooden sword or ‘sablia’ in their hands. Within the group, the ‘Gorriak’ and the ‘bandelariak’ hold the highest rank and responsibility.
- ‘Makilaria’: They are distinguished by carrying a ‘makila’ or cane in their hands, which they twirl between their fingers and occasionally throw high into the air before catching it again. Their skill is demonstrated by the fact that they can do this without losing the beat of the music.
- ‘Zapurra’: They do not dance or march in the ‘Martxa’, they simply walk with an axe resting on their shoulder. During the exhibition, positioned between the ‘dantzaris’ and the crowd, they spin around and maintain order, threatening anyone who gets too close with their axes.
- ‘Zaldizkoa’: These are two young people on horseback. Their mission is to lead the procession and make room for the performance alongside the ‘Zapurrak’. They are the ones who lead the procession, followed by the ‘Zaldizkoak’.
Other characters not present in the exhibition:
- ‘Zidanteak’: They are two stylised dolls about three metres tall with women’s faces and dresses, and they are danced by two boys called ‘Ziantepekoak’. After the dolls are placed on the ground, the ‘Jauziak’ dance.
- ‘Bandelariak’: There are two of them, and they are responsible for carrying two flags. The one on the right carries the ‘Ikurriña’ flag and the one on the left carries the ‘Luzaideko Gazteria’ flag.
- ‘Atxetatupinak’: These young people are the stars of the last game of the afternoon. They only parade in the afternoon, as they perform at the end of the festival.
The varied characters, their elegant costumes and the beauty of their dances make them the representative icon of Luzaide/Valcarlos.
Since 2012, the Luzaide/Valcarlos dances have been considered an Intangible Asset of Cultural Interest of Navarre, by agreement of the Government of Navarre on 28 March 2012.
Drawing of a ‘Bolante’ by Juan Mari Pastor “Artzai” 
Photo of the women who paraded for the first time in the ‘Bolantes’ (1967). Photo by Agustin Valencia. 
Photo of a ‘Makilaria’ in the square of Luzaide/Valcarlos. 
‘Los Bolantes’ in Ibañeta (1970). Photo: Casa Bordia / Agustin Valencia.