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Compose a verse
Compose a verse in the language of your choice respecting the techniques
of improvisation (rhyme, rhythm, etc.).
We will publish the best improvisations on the website.
The budding improvisers selected will be awarded the CD
"Xalbador bat-bateko mirakulua" on Xalbador’s greatest
improvisations.
Take up your pens !
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EUSKAL KULTUR ERAKUNDEA - INSTITUT CULTUREL BASQUE
ICB - B.P. 6 - 64480 UZTARITZE - USTARITZ - TÉL. 00 33 5 59 93 25 25 - COPYRIGHT © 2003 EKE - Tous droits réservés- Legal notices
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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.
Xalbador
"Between the ages of sixteen and nineteen, I sang many improvisations.
Even if I was not up to the same level as those improvisers who I admired so
much, I practiced, and believe me, I had to make a great effort in order to
achieve something.
When I was alone I never stopped trying. I improvised whether it was any
good or not, then taking my time, I tried to arrange and improve my
verses.
I had more success using this second method".
Amets Arzallus
"When I was a child, a lot of us went to the improvisation classes my
father gave. It wasn’t strange or rare.
I remember that many of my classmates, who today play rugby or have other
activities, came to improvisation classes with us. But perhaps after that
the world of improvisation seemed too far away from their concerns.
At that time I wasn’t the only one and improvisation was seen as a normal
activity.
I first began to learn at improvisation classes in Hendaye, and then we
went to Oiartzun for two years: there were only two of us in Hendaye,
which wasn’t enough to keep the class going. It was only later on that there
was a larger group in Hendaye.
When I began to study journalism in Bilbao, I took improvisation classes
in Azpeitia. And currently, on Wednesday or Thursday evenings we go to
classes in Oiartzun: we go to sing and to keep it up"
Sustrai Colina
"I was very lucky. At home I was always allowed to do what I wanted.
That’s how I learnt to take responsabilities and I was able to realise for
myself what was right and what was wrong, by making mistakes.
My parents always told me that in improvisation I’d learn the values
which I’d need later on in life. For example, knowing how to react in front
of an audience was very precious when I had to sit my exams.
I said to myself that if I was capable of improvising something in front
of a hundred people, reciting what I’d learnt off by heart to just one
person wasn’t so difficult.
When we were children, at the ikastola, the others were generally
frightened of speaking in public, but we were always at ease in this field.
On stage we appear as we are or at least we publically reveal the different
aspects of our personality. That makes us assume the facets of our
personality which are made public.
From that point of view, I’m convinced that improvisation is very
valuable, especially during adolescence …
When, as a child you have to learn to accept yourself as you are, it’s a
discipline which will helps children who are ca”pable of going up onto the
stage with all their imperfections to feel good about themselves"
Miren Artetxe
"I give improvisation lessons to 9-11 year old pupils in Hendaye. What’s
important is that the children have a good time. It’s no use trying to
explain to them that improvisation’s something magical: it’s something they
need to experience for themselves.
I think we should use improvisation as a pretext for them to enjoy
themselves, make them speak in Basque, indirectly practice expression while
they’re getting used to it all, and work on relations and the group, because
the group is essential in improvisation. And I think it’s what we have
managed to achieve thanks to the what’s currently being done in the Northern
Basque Country. Those who began three years ago are still there this
year.
My objective is not to turn them into improvisers, but for them to enjoy
improvising verse and playing with words, and if there’s an improvisation
session near where they live, for them to go … For me that’s
enough"
Patxi Iriart
"Improvisation enables me to have a good time with my friends. We know
we’re keeping the Basque language alive, which is very important for us.
Improvisation also teaches you how to speak in public.
I’m rather timid and thanks to improvisation I’m able to express myself
more easily in public or when I have to speak in class. Since improvisation
is not fully ‘‘standardised’’ in the Northern Basque Country, when we were
at high school, some of the pupils laughed at us improvising. Improvisers
are different.
Now mentalities are changing, but I think that Amets, Sustrai and that
generation suffered from this situation more than us. For me improvisation
has become an integral part of my life and, even if I don’t become a great
bertsolari, I’ll continue to support improvisation and I’ll go to encourage
other improvisers.
Of course this discipline requires a lot of time, for example Sustrai and
Amets perform every weekend in a different place …
Plus, you have to practice together once or twice a week. But that’s a
commitment I’m prepared to make"
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