From Otxalde to Xalbador...
Lower Navarre is no less prominent in the field of improvisation. Here
too history remembers the names of several improvisers.
"Xantxo", a mule driver by trade, worked in the Baigorry Valley between
1835 and 1850. His rather harsh and at times unsubtle witty eloquence caused
him trouble with customs officers who he called "malicious"!
It is probable that he earned more from smuggling than his job as a mule
driver and, by criticising these government officials, he won the hearts of
all those who also smuggled ... We will not come back to Manex Apezena, a good improviser but not a good
person and who we have already talked about.
Otxalde from Bidarray, who worked as a customs officer, was invited to
all Basque cultural events. He performed once a month at the market in
Hasparren. Xetre, an improviser from this village, describes him as: "A
young able and well-educated man who was loved by everyone". This opinion
was not shared by one of his superiors who noted that "his appearance is
sloppy and he has debts".
 Zubiat, a true poet and a courageous man was
liked by everyone. He worked as a country postman in Béhorléguy. One day in
March 1909 Zubiat, who at that time covered Mendive, was called by the
postmaster in St-Jean-Pied-de-Port. He had to stop his round because the
King of England, Edward VII was in the capital of Lower-Navarre and His
Majesty had expressed his wish to "hear improvisers". And after his
performance, Zubiat was congratulated by the British sovereign!
Joanes Etcharren from Irouléguy, Larramendy and Larralde from
Saint-Michel,
Manex Etxamendi from Estérençuby, Pudent from Arnéguy and Peio
Erramuspé amongst others took part in a multitude of tournaments, events and
banquets.
We will also give a special mention to
"Bettiri" Ibarrart. It is to him that we owe beautiful songs, such as
"Sotoko goporra", "Mitxelengo zubia", "Itsua eta sastrea" which are sung
with great pleasure at wedding banquets and on family occasions. His public
improvisations were also highly successful.
Meltxor, Zubikoa-Ibarra and Félix Iriarte Birsinanto were born in Navarre
and spent a long time in the Baigorry Valley. In 1936 Iriarte was made
"Champion" at the General "Bertsulari" Competition of Navarre in
Elizondo.
But unquestionably the great master of poetic improvisation was
Fernande Aire, who everyone knew as Xalbador ! His language was pure and
his verses, with a classical technique, expressed deep and intense thoughts.
His book "Odolaren mintzoa" ("The voice of blood") is a true monument!
Alkhat (EKE-JC.Broca)
Xalbador was for a long time haunted by the idea that he was the
last "bertsulari" in Lower-Navarre. But a few years before he suddenly
passed away, the day tribute was paid to him in Urepel, he realised with joy
that a number of young bertsularis were ready to take over, including his
own son Michel, as well as
Jean-Pierre Mendiboure from Hélette, Ernest Alkhat from
IhoIdy-Armendaritz, Jean Arrosagaray from Aincille and
Jean-Louis Harrignordoki (Laka) from Baigorry.
The future is secure. Mizel Matéo-Sallaberry, from Bidarray, born in
1988, already has all the qualities required to compete, in the very near
future, with the best.
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Xalbador
Amets Arzallus
Sustrai Colina
Miren Artetxe
Patxi Iriart
