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

In Basque literature

The versification of poems by Bernard Detchepare, author of the first book printed in Basque "Linguae Vasconum Primitae" (1545), bears witness to the techniques of improvisation.  

Manuscripts of verses written about the life of Basque fishermen in Newfoundland "Ternuaco penac" (18th century)

In the 17th century, two Basque authors (at least) evoke the presence of versifiers.

When Allande Oihenart wrote: "How the Basques have an inclination for poetry", he was obviously talking about improvisation. Joanes Etxeberri de Ciboure even began his "Manual Devotionezkoa" (1627) with a verse.

In the 18th century, and although we cannot be sure whether they were themselves improvisers, the influence of improvisation is significant on authors like Baxterretxea (1700-1761), Meagher (1703-1772), Robin (1738-1821), Salvat Monho (1751-1821), and in his play, Pedro Ignacio de Barrutia (1682-1759) also refers to an improviser.

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.