euskalkultura.eus

Palo Alto, California.  Stanford University was the site on May 24 of a taster workshop that allowed students, professors and visitors the chance to play the Txalaparta.  The event was organized by Iñaki Lopez de Luzuriaga Basque language and culture lecturer at the University, who is also an expert Txalaparta player.

The Txalaparta was set up on White Plaza, in the middle of campus and its sounds attracted many curious people.  Several of them were encouraged to get up on stage and try to play this ancient Basque percussion instrument as explained by Lopez de Luzuriaga.  He recently taught a six week workshop at the Basque Cultural Center in San Francisco and some of those who took part were at Stanford. 

“Besides friends, there were also a number of young and not so young folks who came to watch and play the Txalaparta.  They were also able to learn more on the instrument and about the Basques and the Basque Country thanks to pamphlets that were distributed during the event,” Lopez de Luzuriaga explained.