This volume introduces readers to the history of Basque poetry from Bernard Detxepare (1545) to the Basque Country's modern writers. These essays include a survey of Basque poetry and discussions of the oral tradition of bertsolaritza in the context of the Basque diaspora.
A pathbreaking study of the literary heritage of the Basque people in which twelve essays consider the legacy of Basque poets whose work found formal publication--poets including Detxepare, Bertsolaritza, Aitzol, Lizardi, Orixe, Mirande, Aresti, Mitxelena, Gandiaga, and Lekuona. Honoring their contributions, these poets are examined in the context of Basque cultural traditions and in the context of their contemporary European literary movements.
