José María Iparraguirre: Basque Bard and Symbol of Freedom

José María Iparraguirre (1820-1881): A Life Dedicated to Basque Identity

José María Iparraguirre was born in Urretxu, Gipuzkoa. As a young boy, he moved to Madrid with his parents. At the age of 13, he returned to the Basque Country and fought in favor of the Carlists in defense of the *Fuero* during the First Carlist War. In 1839, after the war's end, he did not approve of the Embrace of Bergara, believing the promise was not kept. Consequently, he had to leave for exile, along with many others.

Exile and the Birth of "Gernikako Arbola"

Abroad, he found protection from a French soprano singer. In addition to learning French, he studied reading, music, and the songs of French poets. In 1852, he returned to the Basque Country and sang "*Gernikako Arbola*" (The Tree of Guernica) for the first time in a café in Madrid. He also had several singing sessions throughout the Basque Country, which disturbed the government. He was tried, convicted, and exiled again.

Iparraguirre then traveled to Argentina and Uruguay, where he worked as a shepherd and a bar owner among Basque communities. He received a grant from his admirers, allowing him to return to the Basque Country in 1877. He died in 1881 from a pulmonary attack.

Verses and Songs: A Reflection of Basque Soul

Iparraguirre's verses and songs encompass various themes: patriotism, love, humor, dedications, criticism, and narration. While he may be considered a better poet than a musician, his primary significance lies in his ability to connect with the feelings of the local people. He was known for his high degree of improvisation, especially when performing for the public. "*Gernikako Arbola*" has since become a powerful political symbol for the Basque Country.

Literary Genres in Iparraguirre's Work

Language serves as the primary function in Iparraguirre's work, which can be classified into three main literary genres:

• Lyric-Emotive Genre: This genre focuses on the author's internal world, feelings, and subjective expression. Iparraguirre often used the first person in both verse and prose to convey personal emotions. His lyrical work can be described as poetic prose.
• Narrative-Referential Genre: This genre deals with more general facts, events, places, times, characters, scenes, and incidents. It is less subjective than the lyrical genre. This tradition, initially expressed in verse through epics, is now commonly found in prose.
• Dramatic-Caller Genre: This genre is typically expressed through dialogue, as seen in theater. It often involves a call and response, assuming the direct participation of the audience. Historically, performances involving dance, verse, and theater have been used for various purposes, such as hunting rituals, sun or moon worship, warding off disease, or expressing gratitude for the harvest. Examples of dramatic genres include pastoral opera and zarzuela.