The Government of France declares bertsolarism of intangible cultural interest

Euskaraz irakurri: Bertsolaritzak kultura ondare immaterialaren izendapena lortu du Frantzian

The Government of France has declared bertsolarismo as an asset of cultural interest, in its category of intangible heritage, as reported by the Bertsularien Lagunak association —integrated into Bertsozale Elkartea— in a note. In it, Ainhoa ​​Elizondo, representative of the aforementioned association, stressed that “it is a recognition of years of work” by an entire community that works so that bertsolarismo continues to grow.

Elizondo explained that “about 120 performances a year related to bertsos are currently organized in Iparralde, there are about 45 bertsolaris of all ages, about 70 groups in formal education, both in ikastolas and in bilingual schools, and more than 250 male and female students enrolled in bertsos schools”.

Bertsularien Lagunak submitted its application for the declaration of intangible heritage last spring at the French Ministry of Culture, through a study carried out by the anthropologist Beñat Iturralde Agirre, and this week they received confirmation of the appointment.

Interviewed in Euskadi Irratia, Iturralde has acknowledged that “they anticipated the appointment” given that “bertsolarismo is a discipline that fits perfectly within the framework of the characteristics of the declaration of intangible heritage”. In his opinion, it is a “shared community expression” and “it is a living and dynamic discipline, in a minority and ancient language, which lasts over time.” Likewise, the anthropologist has also pointed out that it is a recognition of the tireless and meticulous work of an entire community.

In his research work, Iturralde has had the collaboration of a large team. Among others, in the field of scientific research, anthropologists Fabien Van Geert, from the Sorbonne Nouvelle University in Paris, and Terexa Lekunberri, from Euskal Kultur Erakundea, have participated. The collaboration of the Xenpelar Documentation Center and Thierry Truffaut, an expert in carnivals and Basque traditions, has also been essential.

With this declaration from the Government of France, there are already two catalogs that recognize bertsolarismo as an asset of intangible cultural interest. In June 2018, it was the Government of Navarra that declared bertsolarismo as an asset of cultural interest, in its category of intangible heritage. Bertsozale Elkartea also submitted an application to the Basque Government and the process is underway.