Bertsolari Txomin Ezponda recalls the legacy of Xalbador

Bertsolari Txomin Ezponda, a performer from Jatsu, Baxenabarre, shared memories of the late bertsolari Xalbador during a recent interview.

Txomin Ezponda, who began his career in the public square at age 24, described Xalbador as a master of the Basque language who used his reasons for performing with a sense of humor. Txomin Ezponda recalled attending Xalbador's memorial in Urepelen, where he noted that Xalbador was a beautiful and great poet who could improvise on any subject.

He spoke about the close bond between Xalbador and fellow performer Mattin, noting that while Mattin often performed with humor, Xalbador approached his craft with a more serious intent. Txomin Ezponda also remembered their early days performing at local festivals and events organized by priests. The performer reflected on his own journey, including winning the Navarre championship in 1983. He described the technical challenges of the era, noting that the judges sometimes struggled with local dialects and cultural references.

He also recalled competing in San Sebastian in 1967, where Xalbador took the championship. Txomin Ezponda retired from the public stage in 2006 and observed how bertsolari schools have increased the technical knowledge of younger performers compared to previous generations.