In the Basque country, stone lifting is one of 18 officially recognised rural sports rooted in traditional lifestyle and folklore. Others include wood chopping, hay bale lifting, and the cart game. Their roots go back to everyday activities performed by farmers and quarry workers to make a living. Today, they are especially popular during local festivals, where betting is commonplace.

This is a story from our latest magazine on sports which uncovers how  rural sports keep folklore alive in the Basque Country.