19th Century Basque Literary Revival: Southern Writers & Cultural Heritage

19th Century: Southern Basque Writers and Cultural Revival

Introduction: A Century of Transformation

Unlike the North, the Basque Country in the nineteenth century experienced significant upheaval. The final Carlist Wars were a major factor, leading to the abolition of the fueros (charters). These incidents had profound political and social consequences, yet they also spurred a movement to promote the recovery of the Basque language and culture within the century's intellectual arena. The Industrial Revolution, driven by a new economic framework, also fostered a national market. Modern influences reached Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa, primarily through factories and new media, gradually spreading among the population and leading to the formation of workers' movements.

Basque Prose in the 19th Century

Religious Prose

The French Revolution brought new ideas from outside, influencing the Southern Basque Country. The Church, seeing its future at stake, responded with its own literary efforts. Unlike some priests, friars actively contributed with their works in Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa. Authors like J.A. Mogel, A. Añibarro, and P. Astarloa produced doctrinal explanations, sermons (sermoiak), and works addressing similar issues, often against popular dances or other perceived moral threats.

Non-Religious Prose

Sometimes, even with Church involvement, writings not directly religious were created. A notable example is Peru Abarka by J.A. Mogel. This work, more a long conversation than a novel, recounts the experiences of a farmer and a city dweller (kaletar), showcasing the Basque language as spoken in rural settings. It also serves as a valuable source of information about the period.

Bertsogintza: Improvised Basque Poetry

During the Carlist Wars, bertsolaris (improvised poets) spread their songs among the populace. While the poets were diverse, the war itself was a common theme.

• Xenpelar (from Errenteria) was one of the most famous bertsolaris, known for his authentic language and modern tone.
• J.M. Iparragirre (from Urretxu) was a successful singer who endured many economic and political hardships. One of his best-known songs is The Tree of Guernica.
• Bilintx (from San Sebastián) brought a romantic touch to bertsogintza. His favorite themes included unrequited love and the despair of lovers who receive no answer, a situation repeated often in his work, such as Sad and Want to Live.
• Towards the end of the century, F. Arrese Beitia (from Otxandio) became a popular bertsolari. After the abolition of the fueros, and with the support of A. Abbadie, who organized the first bertsolari competitions in the Basque Country, Arrese Beitia was awarded a prize for his excellent selection of verses.

Basque Theater Development

As mentioned, the abolition of the fueros spurred initiatives to promote the Basque language and culture. Within this environment, the first steps were taken towards gradually strengthening Basque theater.

• M. Soroa was a founder and one of the most important figures in its early years. He wrote simple, short, and humorous interpretive plays for the most notable festivals in San Sebastián.
• T. Alzaga began his work in theater around the schools in San Sebastián and continued to contribute significantly.