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

Bertsularis :qualities

Ainhoa Agirreazaldegi (arg. S. Dabadie)


Bertsularis perform without makeup, in everyday clothes (no special costume or specific style of clothing) and without any special effects.

With their hands behind their back or in their pockets, the spoken word is rarely accompanied by any kind of gesture.  The beauty of improvisation is in their voice.

Nevertheless improvisation requires a talent which is not common. Bertsularis must have a tremendous memory, a high level of education in the field of song, a sense of rhythm, self-confidence and faith in their creative abilities, plus good timing which enables them to act quickly.

This all requires a great deal of effort.

Some are born bertsularis and have the essential innate qualities, but you become a good bertsulari ... through hard work.

The background of bertsularis

A sense of image and timing

A remarkable memory

EUSKAL KULTUR ERAKUNDEA - INSTITUT CULTUREL BASQUE

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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.