Christmas is celebrated on December 24th and 25th in the Basque Country of Spain. Some traditions include decorating houses with Christmas trees, lights and nativity scenes, having a special family dinner on the 24th and lunch on the 25th, and finding presents under the tree on Christmas morning that were delivered by Olentzero, a former kidnapper-turned-gift-giver who lives in the mountains with his donkey. The document also mentions other Basque mythical characters that live near Olentzero in the forest.

1. Madalen Goitia
Jone Etxebarria
June Ugarte
3E-3D

2. We celebrate Christmas the 24th-25th of
December.

3. • At Christmas we celebrate Jesus’ birth.
Jesus

4. • It is a traditional activity to decorate the
streets and houses.
Christmas tree
Christmas lights
Garland
Others
Nativity Scene

6. • On the 24th, at night, people have a
special dinner with their family and on the
25th they have lunch together.

7. • We eat special food, it is usually more
expensive.

8. Why is the 25th morning
special?

9. • Because when people get up, they find
presents under the Christmas tree.

10. Who gives the presents?

11. OLENTZERO
He is a coal merchant
and he lives in the
mountain with his
donkey.

12. Every year on the 24th night he goes
down the mountain to give presents to
people who live in The Basque Country.

13. A lot of years ago Olentzero was a
kidnapper of children and people hated
him. They set light to him.

14. Now he is a good man and children love
him. If they are good boys and girls during
the year, Olentzero gives presents to the
children.

16. • We live in Mungia and here is Olentzero’s
house. A lot of people come from different
parts of The Basque Country to see it.

17. • In the forest where Olentzero lives there
arenalso other Basque mithological
characters.
OLENTZERO
Mari Domingi
Tartalo
Basajaun
Galtzagorri
Lamia
Maritxu Teilatuko
Anbotoko Mari