Alberdi Makila videos
Documentary short film
This short documentary film about the process of handmade makila has been made by the Mint studio in collaboration with Alberdi Makila. makila has been made by the Mint studio in collaboration with Alberdi Makila. A graphic report in documentary style and poetic style, which tells the story of the magic behind the handmade process of making a makila. It has been submitted to several documentary film competitions for its delicacy and exquisite filmmaking.
How we mark loquat wood to make Makilas
In this video you can see how the craftsman makes a scarification or tattoo on the most suitable branches of the tree in spring. Over time, the tree reacts by forming a relief as a result of the healing of the cuts. Months later, in winter, the artisan collects the marked branches. Once in the workshop, they are heated in an oven and peeled. The drying time of loquat sticks is usually at least 5-10 years and they are usually straightened several times before they become makilas.
We could say that the marked medlar is the main characteristic of the traditional Basque walking stick or makila, as this characteristic is not found in any other walking stick from other cultures. This work is carried out every year with changing results due to our dependence on mother nature, with drier or rainier years.
Michael Portillo visits the Alberdi workshop
From “The Pyrenees with Michael Portillo”
( TV-Mini series 2022, CHANNEL 5, Episode 1)
️ In the spring of 2022 we had the great pleasure to welcome the famous British journalist and TV presenter Mr. Michael Portillo in our makila workshop in Irun (Basque Country).
It was during the filming of the first episode of the TV series ‘El Pirineo con Michael Portillo’ on CANAL 5.
▶️ This is an excerpt from the full episode that aired in August 2022. This is just a small fragment of what we were able to share with him.
