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The decorative
panels (3' x 6') of the headphone listening stations:
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Basques
love to sing: it is one of the most distinguishing elements of
Basque culture. Song accompanies important moments, deftly
sweeping aside geographical barriers and differences of dialect,
creating an atmosphere of shared time and place as voices join
together.
Nevertheless, the social practice
of singing in Basque, though incontestably dynamic, has today
been somewhat affected by a dwindling of collective memory and a
lack of effective means of transmission.
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The original,
actual exhibition (pictured here) prepared by EKE was quite
extensive and took a whole large room.
This was not
feasible for most of our Basque events, most of which are held
outdoors. What we are preparing is essentially six
listening stations with headphones and touch screen monitors
with a wide assortment of musical samples.
When displayed
outdoors, it will be sheltered by portable tents. To
see these click on: NABO Booth |
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“Kantuketan” (In Quest of Singing)
originated as part of an overall effort by the EUSKAL KULTUR
ERAKUNDEA (Basque Cultural Institute) to reverse the trend of
less singing in Basque. Their aim was to conserve a heritage
and pass it on. This cultural organization of the Iparralde or
north side of the Basque Country graciously offered to share
their exhibit with the North American Basque Organizations, Inc
(N.A.B.O.) and the Basque-American community.
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This
is a sample of the NABO listening stations; there are
three of these. Each will allow two people to
listen to their musical choices making for six listening
stations all together.
To find out about having
this nearby, click on
Hosting Kantuketan |
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EKE's original "Kantuketan"
display was quite extensive and took a large room to exhibit.
Something on this scale was not feasible for most of our Basque
events, where space might be limited and often outdoor settings.
What NABO has prepared is something similar (using the
interactive program created by the EKE and their shared images
as shown in the decorative panels at left) with six
headphone-listening stations and touch screen monitors with a
wide assortment of musical samples from traditional tunes all
the way to hard rock.
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NON IKUS DAITEKE?
Where to see the exhibit:
NABO is divided into four
geographic regions and this
exhibit will reach each of those over the next year and a half
in an effort to make it more accessible to more Basque
communities--that's right it's coming your way:
West: San Francisco (Feb.
2007)
Central: Winnemucca (June 2007)
South: Chino (Sept 2008)
North: Boise Museum (where it will reside when not touring)
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This exhibit is an ongoing effort
to reconnect with our collective Basque memory and to promote
Basque singing to a new generation. To bring you Kantuketan we
have partnered with EUSKO JAURLARITZA--the Autonomous Basque
Government of Euskadi--which has through the years demonstrated
consistent support of efforts to promote Basque culture
throughout the Basque Diaspora or Basque immigrant communities
around the world. We have also joined forces with the BASQUE
MUSEUM & CULTURAL CENTER of Boise, Idaho, where this exhibit
will reside when not touring.
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Complementing the music listening stations are two
display units with a dozen large panels (each 20" x 6').
These serve to decorate and define the exhibit (samples
shown here), but there is also an educational component
included.
Additional panels provide brief introductions to the
topics of Basques and their homeland, the Basque
language, Basques in America, NABO and its activities,
etc. Since Basques and non-Basques will view
these, it represents an educational opportunity.
Thus
the "Kantuketan" exhibit is an effort to follow through
on NABO's motto of Recreation + Education =
Perpetuation. |
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The aim is to make
this exhibit widely accessible but that presents problems
because of the often great distances from one Basque community
to another and the volume of material that needs to be
transported. The short-term goal is to display the exhibit
in all four NABO geographic
regions.
The exhibit will open in conjunction with the 25th anniversary
of the San Francisco Basque Cultural Center (Western region) the
weekend of Feb. 16-18. Later this year "Kantuketan" will
be exhibited at our annual NABO Convention in Winnemucca, NV
(June 8-10) in the central region; the following year the
exhibit will be at the NABO Convention in Chino, CA (South
region) during Labor Day weekend. When not touring, the
exhibit will be on display at the Boise Basque Museum & Cultural
Center (North region).
To find out
about having this nearby, click on
Hosting Kantuketan
Special thanks to these folks for
their contributions: John BIETER, Lisa CORCOSTEGUI, Joseba
ETXARRI, Pantxoa ETXEGOIN, Jean FLESHER, Mary GAZTAMBIDE, Dave
GREEN, Izar IRIBARREN-GORRIONDO, Jakes LARRE, Josu LEGARRETA,
Benan OREGI, Ramon & Begona YSURSA & Genevieve YSURSA.
MIL ESKER!
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