2008-03-05

Turtzioz dedicates a monographic day to the Pottokas, and for the second consecutive year the fair will hold a demostration of the "Monchino" cattle breed.

May 1st Turtzioz will celebrate the Pottoka Day (Pottoka Eguna), a day dedicated to the exhibition of the Basque Pony by excellence, a breed that has been an endangered species and that Institutions and breeders are working to recuperate. Furthermore, for a second consecutive year, the equine exhibition will be accompanied by an exhibition of the Monchino cattle breed.

The fairs grounds will open at 9:30 AM. From that moment on the visitors may stroll the main streets of Turtzioz and buy different agricultural products. Close to twenty "Baseritarras" (Basque Farmers) will offer produce from their harvest, txakoli (Basque wine), honey, bread, cheese, plants and flowers, among others. The rest of the stands will display traditional arts and crafts made of wood, leather, ceramic, glass, and metal.

Also, the assistance may taste the roast of Monchino cattle that will take place by the City Hall arch way at 1:00 O'clock. The "pintxos" (traditional basque sandwich) will be sold at € 1 and the money will go to the Saharaui people as human aid.
As an alternative there will also be talos, cider, and txakoli, at the eating facilities. While the triki-trixa (traditional basque music), performed by Izar Gazteak will be hear on the fair grounds.

The Pottoka Eguna was first celebrated in 1998 at the fronton and bull ring facilities. Nevertheless in the last editions the organization has decided to use the streets of Turtzioz with the goal of making the day a more participative event for all in the locality.
Juan Antonio Casares, Culture Councillor for the County remains us that: "the fair is held during the morning, but during the afternoon visitors may enjoy our recreational areas and of Turtzioz patrimonial heritage, its people, surrounding and everyday affairs." Also, visitors may plan ahead their visit through the web page www.turtzioz.org

POTTOKA
The Pottoka is the original Pone from Euskal Herria (Basque Country). A strong and coarse breed that was represented in prehistoric cave paintings in the region. From primitive times they have lived in wild herds. In the past, they have been use to pull miner's wagons, for farming chores, for the maintenance of bush and grass in the mountains, to grain cereals and as a meat source.

MONCHINO CATTLE
The Monchino cattle are an original cattle breed that lives in liberty in the hills of Bizkai, Burgos and Cantabria. Due to its tendency to charge it was used in the past in local Agüera towns in bull fights. It is an animal of small size, dense hairy coat and very resilient due to the rough conditions in which it lives: cold winters with little food available, as they stay in the mountains and hills the year long. The first counties to have individuals of this breed where: KArranza, Turtzioz, Artzentales and Sopuerta- From the 1960`s the number of stock has been drastically reduced.

ACTIVITIES:

9:30 Fair Opening.

11:00 Child games and play ground at the "fronton".

12:00 Exhibition of the famous horn dancer with the appearance of the famous dancer "Gelo".

13:00 tasting roast beef at the City Hall Arch way. The profits will be turn to the Saharawi people as human aid.

13:30 Price Awards.

The entire fair will be entertained by the triki trixa group Izar Gazteak.