Improvised Poetry & Song in the Basque Country

IMPROVISED POETRY & SONG IN THE BASQUE COUNTRY

History and development
Competitions and championships
Masters of improvisation
Becoming a bertsulari

Basque Country Improvisation Championship 2009

Partners :

Aquitaine BNSA
EJGV

Improvisation schools

At the beginning of the 1990’s, on the initiative of several teachers from the ikastolas (Basque-medium schools) and the Association Bertsularien Lagunak, the first classes in the art of versified improvisation were given during school time.   

Map of improvisation schools 

The singer Anje Duhalde was the first teacher. Soon after, Ernest Alkhat, himself an improviser, took over this heavy responsibility as a part-time employee for almost ten years.

Other improvisation enthusiasts also gave lessons:  Jean-Louis Harignordoki,  Michel Lekuona, Beñat Soulé and Kexus Arzallus amongst others. But the results did not meet their expectations.

However the association Bertsularien Lagunak did not lose hope and set out a new strategy for the teaching of improvisation.
It decided to employ a full-time teacher, Carlos Aizpurua from Oiartzun (Gipuzkoa), who had a great deal of experience in this field. His method was more efficient and improvisation “schools” sprung up in Hendaye, Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Bayonne.

During the years that followed the movement gained momentum and classes were also given at the ikastolas in Hasparren, Ustaritz, Cambo, Saint-Just-Ibarre, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and Chéraute.
Recently adults have also been able to benefit from this teaching in Ordiarp and Ostabat.

Thanks to all this hard work, many events have been organised: Budding improvisers’ festival (Bertsulari ttiki), festival of improvisation schools, championships, meetings, intensive summer courses (bertsu udalekua), a campaign in favour of improvisation at school, etc.

  Bertsus by young improvisers ; Elosegi, Oiarburu and Carrere
MP3 format (2,4 Mo)

Northern Basque Country Young Improvisers’ Championship (Ayherre: 27 May 2004 -Bertsularien Lagunak Association)
Subject: "Are you in a hurry to be 18 years old and become adults?"
Rhythm imposed: Zortziko ttikia

 

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The guides

You will be accompanied throughout this site by improvisers. During your visit: click on their photos to discover what they have to say.