The Enbeita dynasty and the champion Amuriza
In Biscay one of the oldest references in improvisation is Juan Krutz de
la Fuente, a silverer from Durango and author of "Ator, ator mutil etxera"
which is still sung today. But above all we must talk about the Enbeita
family, a true "dynasty" which managed to revive the prestige of
improvisation in this heavily industrialised province:
Kepa Enbeita (1878-1942), his son
Balendin (1906-1986) and his grandson Jon (1950) whose daughter,
Oihane Enbeita , is currently one of the province’s best
improvisers.
Lopategi
For two decades the champion Jon Lopategi (1933) and Jon Azpillaga (1934)
travelled the length and breadth of the Basque Country.
They passionately defended the rights of the Basque people, an activity
which sent them to Franco’s jails. Along with these two legendary figures,
Mugartegi and Mañukorta were also, for a time, in great demand.
But Biscay is above all proud to have been home to
Xabier Amuriza, who brilliantly managed to modernise the art of
versified improvisation .
Read and listen to a verse by Xabier Amuriza
Amuriza
Along with several fellow priests, he locked himself in a church to
protest against his hierarchy who too easily accepted Franco’s stifling
repression of the Basque people. He was severely punished for this act. He
spent six years in a monastery-prison in Zamora, specially opened to punish
priests who, according to the Concordat, could not be imprisoned. Amuriza
used this long period to analyse the phenomenon of improvisation and to
study how to transform “country” improvisation into a “modern” form of
improvisation, capable of attracting young people and successfully entering
the 21st century.
When he was released from prison he left priesthood and began to sing in
public.
With his elegant style and refined arguments, Amuriza gave a new tone
which until then had been unrivalled. Very quickly he became a reference for
young people, but at the same time, he was hated by “traditionalists” who
disliked change.
He wrote several works on this subject and was twice champion of the
Basque Country: in 1980 and 1982.
Igor Elorza
The most in vogue bertsularis over recent years in Biscay include: Unai
Iturriaga, Fredi Paia, Oihane Enbeita, Igor Muniategi, Iratxe Ibarra, Beñat
Gaztelurrutia, and of course, Igor Elorza who was for the third consecutive
time provincial champion.
In 2006 Xabi Paia was provincial champion.
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Xalbador
Amets Arzallus
Sustrai Colina
Miren Artetxe
Patxi Iriart
