Maialen Lujanbio wins the National Bertsolaris Championship

The final of the 2017 National Bertsolaris Championship took place today at the Bilbao Exhibition Centre in Barakaldo. Aitor Mendiluze, Aitor Sarriegi, Amets Arzallus, Beñat Gaztelumendi, Igor Elortza, Sustrai Colina, Maialen Lujanbio and Unai Agirre sung before the 14,600 fans who came from different parts of the Basque Country. 

The final was split into two parts, the morning and the afternoon. From the eight finalists, Aitor Mendiluze and Maialen Lujanbio went through to the final phase, which was won by Maialen Lujanbio who became, for the second time, after the 2009 Championship, champion of the National Bersolaris Championship.

Among the 14,600 people attending the event were political representatives from Basque institutions, such as Bingen Zupiria, Minister of Culture and Language Policy, Maria Solana, Minister of Education and spokesperson for the Government of Navarre and Michel Etchebest, Vice-President of the Iparralde Agglomeration Community and Minister of Economy. It was also attended by leading figures from Basque culture.