The 1st Navarra Lamb Day was celebrated on September 29th and was organized by the IGP Cordero de Navarra / Nafarroako Arkumearen – Reyno Gourmet, with the collaboration of the City Council of Ochagavía and the D.O. Queso Roncal.
The day has shown the strict regulations established by the European Union for the breeding of livestock, which guarantees “the quality of what we bring to the market,” explained to Europapress, Javier Ayechu, president of the IGP.
The program included an exhibition of lambs and IGP Cordero de Navarra breeds and a Tapas Competition based on the IGP Reyno Gourmet Navarra Lamb and an act of recognition of the work of the shepherd and the essential role of the women who stayed to take care of the house and the family in the transhumant months.
The figure of the shepherd was vindicated, his transformation, the silence, the peace and the solitude that a vocational profession entails; also as a caretaker of the landscape.
The event took place in Ochagavía/Otsagabi and numerous activities linked to sheep production were organised with the collaboration of numerous institutions and quality figures. The programme was as follows:
Programme:
9:00 – 11:00. Hiking route with shepherds from the area. Tour along a section of the traditional Salacenca cattle track. Stop at a hut for a shepherd’s snack. Difficulty: low. Appropriate footwear and clothing, lunch and water are required. Prior registration is recommended on the website www.corderodenavarra.com or at the Ochagavía Tourist Office. Location: Departure from the Ochagavía Tourist Office.
11:00-14:00. Exhibition “Transhumance and the Valley”
11:00-13:00. Children’s crafts workshop. Exhibition of lambs and IGP Navarra Lamb breeds.
11:00 – 12:45. Tapas Competition with IGP Navarra Lamb – Reyno Gourmet. Presentation of participating tapas. Location: Ochagavía – Barrio Urrutia
12:00 – 13:30. Conversations about grazing:
“Transhumance and the Latxa and Navarra breeds” with Patxi Zabalza, Javier Ayechu and José Luis Tanco “Chelis”.
“The guardians of the valleys – The women who stayed” with Mª Asun Azcoiti (from Ochagavía), and Angelines Moso (from La Ribera).
Prize-giving ceremony for the 1st IGP Navarra Lamb Tapas Competition – Reyno Gourmet.
13:30-14:00. Popular tasting of stews with IGP Cordero de Navarra and Reyno Gourmet
18:00-19:00. Rural Sports Exhibition with the participation of Iker Vicente.
