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Bertsolari Txapelketa Nagusia

Irformation

Performance type
Txapelketa

Description

History
Bertsolaritza is as much a game as it is a competition, and this is why the famous bertsos have existed for such a long time. However, the event which took place in 1935, called Bertsolari Eguna, is considered to be the first of the official competitions. It was organised by Euskaltzaleak (literally ‘lovers of the Basque language) and Eusko Gaztedi Elkartea (Basque Youth Force), pioneers of the National Bertsolaris Championship. This was in the pre-war days. Much later, in 1960, Euskaltzaindia (a Basque language regulatory institute) became responsible for running the championship, and organised six editions between then and 1982, when it was taken over by the Association of the Friends of Bertsolaritza. 14 more championships have been held since that first edition, won by Basarri:

1935 – Organised by Euskaltzaleak and Eusko Gaztedi Elkartea, it took place in the Poxpolin Theatre in Donostia (20-01-1935). In just one day, 20 bertsolaris competed, chosen by the organisers from both sides of the border. Basarri went away with the txapela (Basque traditional hat).
1936 – Organised by Euskaltzaleak and Eusko Gaztedi Elkartea, but this time three qualifying stages were carried out in the various territories. 30 bertsolaris took part, and 10 of them competed in the final in the Victoria Eugenia Theatre in Donostia (19-01-1936). Txirrita won this year’s txapela.
1960 – Following a long break due to the war and the Franco regime, Euskaltzaindia took over the reins once again from the previous organisers. Territorial championships were held first, with 56 bertsolaris taking part. The National Championship was held in the Victoria Eugenia Theatre in Donostia (18-12-1960), with 10 bertsolaris competing for the txapela. Almost 26 years later, Basarri walked away with his second txapela.
1962 – Organised by Euskaltzaindia. As with the previous edition, territorial championships were held first, in which 84 bertsolaris competed. The National Championship took place over a single day, in the Astoria Theatre in Donostia (30-12-1962). 10 bertsolaris battled it out and the txapela was finally won by Uztapide.
1965 – Organised by Euskaltzaindia. 113 bertsolaris took part in the territorial championships. The National Championship was held at the Anoeta Pelota Court in Donostia (01-01-1965), and as in previous editions, 10 bertsolaris competed for the txapela. Once again, it was won by Uztapide.
1967 – The fourth championship organised by Euskaltzaindia. 83 bertsolaris competed in the territorial championships. The National Championship took place in the Anoeta Pelota Court in Donostia (11-06-1967); with the 8 winners from the territorial championships and the winner and runner-up from the previous edition, as was done at that time. Uztapide went away with his third txapela.
1980 – Almost 13 years later, Euskaltzaindia organised its fifth championship. After making a few changes, the championship was fought over by 16 bertsolaris chosen by the organisers. After two qualifying rounds, the final was held in the Balda Pelota Court in Donostia (06-01-1980), and Xabier Amuriza won his first txapela.
1982 – The sixth and final championship organised by Euskaltzaindia. A large number of bertsolaris took part (67). Following numerous qualifying sessions, the final was held in the Balda Pelota Court in Donostia (20-12-1982). Xabier Amuriza won for the second time.
1986 – The first championship organised by the Basque Country Association of Bertsolaritza (EHBE). As a result of some differences over the composition of the championship, the bertsolaris took over the reins of the organisation, with the support of many aficionados. A total of 91 bertsolaris took part in the territorial championships and the qualifying rounds. 40 bertsolaris competed in the National Championship, and the final took place in the Anoeta Velodrome in Donostia (23-03-1986). Sebastian Lizaso carried off the txapela this time.
1989 – The second championship organised by EHBE. The composition for this edition was the same as the previous. 109 bertsolaris participated, 40 of whom competed in the National Championship. The final was held in the Anoeta Velodrome in Donostia and, as usual, consisted of two sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon (17-12-1989). The txapela went to Jon Lopategi.
1993 – The third championship organised by EHBE. 101 bertsolaris competed in the territorial championships, with 40 going on to the National Championship. All the bertsolaris chosen started from the same level and the final was held at the Anoeta Velodrome in Donostia (19-12-1993). In a packed velodrome Andoni Egaña won his first txapela.
1997 – Organised by EHBE (known then as the Association of the Friends of Bertsolaritza). The “boom” of bertsolaritza had started to wane, and they tried to organise a championship tailor-made for the aficionados. Taking into account the territorial championships, 114 bertsolaris participated. 42 of them competed in the National Championship, and the qualification rounds took place in just one session. The final was held in the Anoeta Velodrome in Donostia, with a session in the morning and one in the afternoon (14-12-1997). Andoni Egaña won his second txapela.
2001 – The fifth championship organised by EHBE. 173 bertsolaris took part in the territorial championships and the qualifying rounds, with 37 going through to the National Championship. The semi-finals were carried out over two sessions. In the Anoeta Velodrome in Donostia, after a memorable head-to-head, Andoni Egaña emerged triumphant, with Maialen Lujanbio taking second place.
2005 – The sixth championship organised by EHBE. For the first time ever, the final took place in Bilbao instead of Donostia. A special effort was made to attract Basque speakers in the area, and to make bertsolaristza known among the Spanish-speaking community. Over 13,000 people followed live coverage of the final which took place in the Bilbao Exhibition Centre, and witnessed Andoni Egaña claiming his fourth txapela.

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