Kantuketan: "In Quest of Singing" Celebration of Basque Language & Song

Basques love to sing: it is one of the most distinguishing elements of Basque culture. Song accompanies important moments, deftly sweeping aside geographical barriers and differences of dialect, creating an atmosphere of shared time and place as voices join together.

Nevertheless, the social practice of singing in Basque, though incontestably dynamic, has today been somewhat affected by a dwindling of collective memory and a lack of effective means of transmission.

“Kantuketan” (In Quest of Singing) originated as part of an overall effort by the EUSKAL KULTUR ERAKUNDEA (Basque Cultural Institute) to reverse the trend of less singing in Basque. Their aim was to conserve a heritage and pass it on. This cultural organization of the Iparralde or north side of the Basque Country graciously offered to share their exhibit with the North American Basque Organizations, Inc (N.A.B.O.) and the Basque-American community.

EKE's original "Kantuketan" display was quite extensive and took a large room to exhibit. Something on this scale was not feasible for most of our Basque events, where space might be limited and often outdoor settings. What NABO has prepared is something similar (using the interactive program created by the EKE and their shared images) with six headphone-listening stations and touch screen monitors with a wide assortment of musical samples from traditional tunes all the way to hard rock.

This exhibit is an ongoing effort to reconnect with our collective Basque memory and to promote Basque singing to a new generation. To bring you Kantuketan we have partnered with EUSKO JAURLARITZA--the Autonomous Basque Government of Euskadi--which has through the years demonstrated consistent support of efforts to promote Basque culture throughout the Basque Diaspora or Basque immigrant communities around the world. We have also joined forces with the BASQUE MUSEUM & CULTURAL CENTER of Boise, Idaho, where this exhibit will reside when not touring.

The aim is to make this exhibit widely accessible but that presents problems because of the often great distances from one Basque community to another and the volume of material that needs to be transported. The short-term goal is to display the exhibit in all four NABO geographic regions. The exhibit will open in conjunction with the 25th anniversary of the San Francisco Basque Cultural Center (Western region) the weekend of Feb. 16-18. Later this year "Kantuketan" will be exhibited at our annual NABO Convention in Winnemucca, NV (June 8-10) in the central region; the following year the exhibit will be at the NABO Convention in Chino, CA (South region) during Labor Day weekend. When not touring, the exhibit will be on display at the Boise Basque Museum & Cultural Center (North region).

Special thanks to these folks for their contributions: John BIETER, Lisa CORCOSTEGUI, Joseba ETXARRI, Pantxoa ETXEGOIN, Jean FLESHER, Mary GAZTAMBIDE, Dave GREEN, Izar IRIBARREN-GORRIONDO, Jakes LARRE, Josu LEGARRETA, Benan OREGI, Ramon & Begona YSURSA & Genevieve YSURSA. MIL ESKER!