The Association of the friends of Bertsolaritza Territories Navarre Introduction

Introduction

Navarre is a territory in which bertsolaritza and its followers are well established. As far as is known, the first championship was held in Elizondo in 1936 and the following bertsolaris were noteworthy: Mutuberria, Narbarte, Arozamena and Madariaga.

Following that laid down at the National Championships by the Royal Academy of the Basque Language in 1980, Navarre has always organised, on an annual basis, their own championship, together with that part of Navarre that lies on the north side of the Pyrenees (Lower Navarre) and the rest of Iparralde. Aficionados and promoters of this nascent movement were, amongst others: M. Izeta, E. Arraiza and P. Díez de Ulzurrun. The association took up this organisational work in 1985. Since 1936, in the 30 national Basque championships, bertsolaris from Navarre have been winners on 18 occasions.

Encouraged by the rise of bertsolaritza in 1980, new initiatives were undertaken. Amongst others, steps for the publicising and transmission of bertsolaritza, such as the Xalto contest or the Bertsoaroa in Pamplona.

It cannot be said that the Navarre bertsolaritza movement is currently the strongest but in the last few years a spectacular process of recovery has taken place. Navarre currently hosts 11% of the performances held throughout Euskal Herria.

Territories: Iparralde Navarre: History