The bertsolari championships will be delayed

If the situation were normal, Bertsolari Txapelketa Nagusia or the Absolute Championship would begin next September. However, due to COVID-19, the conditions to organize a championship are not appropriate. As a result of the pandemic, many bertso performances have had to be suspended, and the bertso-eskolak or bertso schools are having difficulty to run as usual. Besides, the championship is a cultural event which brings together a large number of people and that’s something inconceivable in the current situation. Furthermore, it may happen that at some point a participant cannot continue in the championship because of a close contact with the virus; therefore, there are no guarantees to carry out the championship from the beginning to the end.

That is the reason why the provincial championships scheduled for this year had to be postponed as well: the Bertsolari Championship in Biscay and Xilaba - the championship for bertsolaris of Labourd, Lower Navarre and Soule - were going to take place in autumn. Likewise, the championships in Araba and Navarre expected for the first months of 2021 wil be put off. The results of these championships are taken into account for the Bertsolari Txapelketa Nagusia or Absolute Championship which has been decided to be postponed as well.

New dates will be fixed according to the evolution of the pandemic and the situation of bertsolaritza.

Focused on revitalizing the bertso performances

The association Bertsozale Elkartea will continue promoting and organizing spaces to enjoy bertsolaritza, taking into account the health measures and protocols. We strongly believe that culture and bertsolaritza are important for society. For this reason, we will soon present an initiative to highlight the work of the bertso schools and local organizers and to promote performances.