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The Basque Library at the University of Nevada, Reno has created an exhibit about Bertsolaritza, the art of singing improvised verses in Basque that includes photos, texts, and a documentary on the subject by director, Asier Altuna. The exhibit will be available through April, and was designed by Iñaki Arrieta Baro and Shannon Sisco as part of the Kulturartea project. 

Reno, NV, USA.   The Basque Library at the University of Nevada, Reno has created a new exhibit dedicated to Bertsolaritza, one of the oldest, and at the same most modern traditions in Basque culture.  Bertsolaritza, or improvised Basque poetry, as defined in the exhibit, is the best known oral cultural activity known in Basque culture, a culture where orality has played a leading role.

Bertsolaritza, according to the organizers of this exhibit “Bertsolaritza is a form of sung improvised poetry, an important cultural expression for the Basque people. Improvisers (Bertsolari in Basque) are well known by the population and it is normal to have them performing at all kind of festivities. Bertsolaritza is the Basque contribution to improvised poetries around the world. Basques have been able to preserve, modernize and publicize bertsolaritza in the world.”

The exhibit includes informative panels, a short documentary about Bertsolaritza by well-known director, Asier Altuna, photos of Bertsolaris in the Basque Country and the US, and a selection of Books on the subject.

The exhibit was designed by Iñaki Arrieta Baro and Shannon Sisco, and created by Sisco with the assistance of Vivian Lewis and Annabel Gordon.

This display is supported by the Basque Library at the University of Nevada, Reno as part of their participation in Kulturartea, a network of academic organizations that collaborate in the area of improvised poetry, including Bertsolaritza and other similar traditions around the world.  The exhibit aims to introduce Bertsolarismo to Nevada and the US, as well as beyond the Basque community.

Visitors will receive, thanks to the support of the Center for Basque Studies, a copy of Voicing the Moment: Improvised Oral Poetry and Basque Tradition, a compilation of various authors who reflect on Bertsolaritza, along with some of the best Bertsolaris who reflect on their poetic art and their technique.