BDB Bertsolaritzaren datu-basea

This dissertation examines Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) as an essential element of discursive narratives and social construction through the example of bertsolaritza. This practice developed on the Basque Country is self-managed mainly by Bertsozale Elkartea, becoming a non-authorized heritage discursive example. Despite its alternative management and its minority nature, the practice has become a mass phenomenon. This dissertation will study the reasons for such popularity and the relationship between bertsolaritza and the identity of the creator-community. The dissertation is based on qualitative research with the members of the association, including interviews with different members of the association and observation of performances, which provided a better understanding of the key principles to guarantee the good health of bertsolaritza. Results offered not only an overview of the possibilities of ICH as a space of agency, embodiment, and identity, but also a model of good practices for other patrimonies.

List of figures ...6
Chapter 1: Introduction ...7
1.1. Aims and Objectives ...7
1.2. Methodology ...8
Chapter 2: The Echoes of Intangible Heritage ...11
2.1 Improvised verse singing ...11
2.2 Non-tangible UNESCO ...14
Chapter 3: Historical Background ...19
3.1. Zer da bertsolaritza? ...19
3.2. Mapping the practice ...22
3.3. Note and verse ...23
3.4. Friends of bertsolarism ...25
Chapter 4: Organisation and safeguarding ...28
4.1. Safeguarding as caring ...28
4.2. The case of Bertsozale Elkartea ...31
Chapter 5: Identity and Transmission ...37
5.1 Bertsolaritza, ICH and identity...38
5.2 Transmission through experiencing ...41
Chapter 6: Conclusions ...44
Bibligraphy ...47
APPENDICES...57
Appendix A: Details about the interviews ...57
Appendix B: Information about the interviewees ...59
Appendix C: Analysis of the interviews ...60
Appendix D: Bertsolaritza’s Toolkit ...66