Leopoldo Zugaza, cultural promoter and founder of the Durango Azoka, dies

Euskaraz irakurri: Leopoldo Zugaza kultur sustatzaile eta Durangoko Azokako sortzailea hil da

The promoter and cultural disseminator Leopoldo Zugaza (Durango, 1932) has died at the age of 90.

Zuzaga founded in 1964 the Gerediaga Association. He was, in fact, the one who promoted and directed the Durango Basque Book and Record Fair during the first seven editions.

Founding member of the association Euskera-zaleak for the promotion of Euskera, promoter of the Ikastola Kurutziagathe Ezkudi Exhibition Hall, the Museum of Art and History of Durango or the Museum of the Basque Country in Gernika, the Manuel de Larramendi Bibliographical Institute…

Without forgetting that, together with Ramón Serras, he created the photo museum de Zarautz, the first museum specialized in photography in the whole of Spain. He has chaired the Labayru Institute, the Royal Basque Society of Friends of the Country, Eusko Ikaskuntza and the editorial board of the ‘Sancho el Sabio’ Foundation newsletter. Constant has also been his activity as a publisher and literary promoter.

Among his most outstanding awards is the Gold Medal for Merit in Fine Arts in 2018¿ and, in 2020, together with Laida Lertxundi and Pello Irazu, he was awarded the Gurea Artea Award from the Basque Government.¿

Is he father of Miguel Zugazaanother prominent figure in the cultural field, who directed the Prado Museum in Madrid for 15 years and currently the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum.

EITB Media interview with Leopoldo Zugaza on 12/07/2021