Championship National 2001 Presentation

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP 2001
Presentation

This year we are holding the XIII National Bertsolari Championships, the fifth organised by the Bertsozale Elkartea. There has been much discussion about the advantages and disadvantages that any contest might have, particularly with regard to the results, the consequences of such competition. It is the price that has to be paid for being one of the most important events, if not the most important, in the Basque language.

All those finalists in the championships organised since 1986 have been invited to take part, a minimum representation from each territory is guaranteed, and the system for participation has been reorganised.

The criteria for the work of presenters and judges, established in 1997, has also been up-dated and new people have been incorporated. The participation of all the territorial areas in all these aspects has been taken into account and, thanks to the work of all of them, the conditions in which the Championships are taking place have been greatly enhanced. In the final phase, 37 bertsolaris will take part but, taking into account the territorial heats and eliminatory rounds, there will be a total of 173 participants: 73 Gipuzkoanos, 58 Bizkainos, 20 Alaveses, 18 Navarros and 4 Ipartarrak; their average age is 26, which brings us particular satisfaction, at the same time as it behoves us in the Association to carry this great responsibility for these Championships and for the future of bertsolaritza and the Basque language.