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CARNIVAL
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The Muskil party has been held for the first time in Pamplona to announce the carnival instead of the Caldereros

Six years ago, the members of the Iruña Group began to reflect on the need to change the party from the uneasiness of the Gypsy community. Mussels have created it, changing its name and dress, but maintaining the party program.

GRAFCAV9583. PAMPLONA, 07/02/2026.- La capital navarra prepara la llegada de los carnavales que desde la próxima semana serán los actos principales de los pueblos y barrios de la geografía navarra. Este sábado han recorrido las calles del casco viejo de Pamplona los Dantzantes de San Lorenzo, los Gigantes de fuego y las Animalen Dantzak que son bailadas por los zaldikos que forman parte de la comitiva calderera.EFE/ Jesus Diges
Pasacalles this morning in Pamplona. Photo: EFE

Themembers of the Iruña Group have announced the arrival of the Carnivalthis year with the Muskilak party, which until now celebrated caldereros with elements related to the Gypsy people, but that was not to the liking of that community, so this Saturday they celebrated a new party in the Old Town to make everyone feel comfortable.

Six years ago they began to reflect on this issue, listening to the opinion of the Gypsy community in Navarre, and after a long internal analysis, last year they decided to put an end to the format so far and to organize a new party instead of the caldereros.

Ilazki Bidadorof the Iruña Group has explained in the Amarauna programme of Euskadi Irratia that they have had reasons against racism to take the decision: "We have long decided to change the name and form of this festival that announces the carnival, because we understood that a party cannot be something oppressive." "Although it may not have been done with bad intent, and we know that it is a party of great tradition, we believe that it does not make much sense to do so today."

So they changed the name and dress to the party, but they kept the program: morning there was a kalejira, they were going to pull out the 12 horses, there was an animal dance, lunch and a pasacalles with the fanfare on the stretcher.

He recounts that they have taken the step towards change "naturally," and explains that what has cost the most, rather than making the decision itself, was "deciding what would be the new thing we should have created."

Hehas also said that they have received "generally very good opinions" and askedabout the origin of the name , he has explained that "Muskila is the offspring before the flower comes out and we thought it was a great word because with the arrival of the carnival comes spring. So we are the flowers before the spring blossoms. Besides, we found a quote from the 19th century that said," Mussels coming out of the sewer holes. "

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