"A conference book about the schools that specialize in Basque improvised verse singing"--

Aulestia takes a scholarly and in-depth look at the art of the bertsolari. In a fascinating text, the author examines the history of a tradition that is truly unique and completely Basque. He introduces and analyzes the performing styles of great bertsolariak, including Xabier Amuriza and Jon Azpillaga.

Aulestia takes a scholarly and in-depth look at the art of the bertsolari. In a fascinating text, the author examines the history of a tradition that is truly unique and completely Basque. He introduces and analyzes the performing styles of great bertsolariak, including Xabier Amuriza and Jon Azpillaga.

"The present book addresses the struggle for the rights of women in the context of bertsolaritza (improvised oral poetry) in the Basque Country" --

This volume of 14 essays covers such varied topics as: the origin theories of the Basque language and its viability in the contemporary world; literature; gender studies; rock music and the bertsolari or troubadour; cinema; sports; and Bilbao and the Guggenheim museum.

Presents contributions of leading scholars to the field of orally improvised poetry. Includes papers on Hispanic and extra-Hispanic improvised poetry as well as papers in which leading practitioners of bertsolaritza studied their own poetic art and its techniques.