Xaia

Xaia is a historic inn, bar and concert hall located in the Pausu (Pausu) neighbourhood of Urruña (Urrugne) in the Labourd province of the French Basque Country. It stands very close to the Behobia bridge that links Labourd with Gipuzkoa, as well as to the local fronton and the Bidasoa river greenway. The establishment has been known as a xai — a Basque word that can mean both a tavern and a meeting place — for around a hundred years. It opened as an inn in 1920 with six large barrels and sold Algerian wine. Over the decades it became a crossroads where smugglers and border guards, among others, sat at the same tables to play mus. Since the late 20th and early 21st centuries it has been run collectively and has become a reference venue for Basque cultural events, including concerts, song dinners and bertso sessions. Its best-known regular activity is a Basque song course that brings together around a hundred people from October to June, every fortnight, to sing Basque songs — including some who do not understand Basque. It has been compared, on a smaller scale, to the Kafe Antzokia in Bilbao, and similar venues such as the Kafe Antzokia in Ondarroa and Doka in Donostia. Notable quirks include a bar counter made from a single piece of oak and a toilet built inside an Armagnac barrel.

According to the writer Joseba Aurkenerena, Xaia is one of the two or three oldest houses in Pausu. The building has served many purposes: in 1872 it was used to collect preserves; it sheltered horse-post messengers and horses; in the early 20th century anchovies and sardines were sold there (which is said to be the origin of the name Xaia, from its meaning as a gathering place). It opened as an inn in 1920 with six large barrels, selling Algerian wine. Its location at the border, a crossing point, brought together all kinds of people at Xaia: smugglers and guards, for example, playing mus at the same table. In 2000, when the then owner left the inn, to fill the void some abertzale (Basque nationalist) supporters put up money to take it over. In 2002 a cooperative was organised to manage the inn. Later, the local Bakalau association took on responsibility for organising cultural events at Xaia: concerts, song dinners, bertso sessions, and more. The venue has continued to host a wide range of cultural activities throughout the year, with the Basque song course being one of its most successful regular events.

• 2002

  A cooperative was organised to manage the inn.

• 2000

  When the then owner left, abertzale supporters put up money to take over the inn.

• 1920

  Xaia opened as an inn with six large barrels, selling Algerian wine.

• 1872

  The building was used to collect preserves.

• The Bakalau association took on responsibility for organising cultural events at Xaia.

A historic Basque inn and cultural meeting point, comparable on a smaller scale to the Kafe Antzokia venues, dedicated to Basque music, language and community life.

• Basque song course

  A regular course from October to June, every fortnight, bringing together around a hundred people to sing Basque songs.

• Concerts

  Live music events held throughout the year.

• Song dinners

  Dinners accompanied by singing.

• Bertso sessions

  Improvised Basque verse sessions.

1. 1Xaia - Wikidatawikidata.org
2. 2Xaia (Urruña) - Wikipediaeu.wikipedia.org
3. 3Xaia Ostatuaren webgune ofizialaxaia100urte.net