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Jean
& Rose Erassarret
Teachers of Basque Dancing at Kern
County Basque Club
Jean Erassarret was born in Baigorry,
France, on August 30, 1909. At the age of 18, he came to America
as a sheepherder. Rose, born in 1915, in El Paso, Texas, was
of Italian background. They met and fell in love and married
when Jean was 26 and Rose 20. Theirs was a very enterprising
and productive union. First they were involved in the sheep
business and then turned to farming. In 1952 they bought Files
& Files Rug company in Bakersfield, where they ran the
business until they retired. In addition they produced six
children.
Jean was skilled at playing pelota
and dancing. Rose was an excellent dancer and musician. They
made certain that their six children would learn music and
Basque dances. Two of their daughters became accomplished
accordion players. In the early 1950's, they gathered their
six children and all the people interested in Basque dancing
and formed the first Basque dance group of Bakersfield. Thus,
Basque dancing was introduced to Kern County. A word must
be said about Rose, who was not of Basque origin. She had
the extraordinary ability to master Basque music and dance
and to pass her knowledge to others. She was, indeed, an esteemed
ambassadress of Basque culture.
What a great legacy Jean and Rose
have given us!
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2002,
Pierre Igoa