Organized by Urremendi Landa Garapen Elkartea, the event promotes the recovery, conservation, and dissemination of the organ heritage of Busturialdea-Urdaibai. A key novelty is the first-time inclusion of the organ in Gernika-Lumo, built in 1910 by Aquilino Amezua y Cía and recently restored by the Basque Government.
The festival will present 10 concerts across six municipalities in Busturialdea. Additionally, the Euskal Herria Museum in Gernika-Lumo will host the exhibition "Urdaibaiko Soinuak", dedicated to the master organ builder from Gautegiz Arteaga, Lope Alberdi Recalde, alongside guided tours and a round table.
Urkiri Salaberria, Director of Cultural Heritage of the Basque Government, emphasized that the inclusion of the Santa Clara organ symbolizes "the value of collaboration between institutions" and the importance of restoring its voice.
This edition coincides with a positive period for the organ heritage of Busturialdea, with organs undergoing restoration in Bermeo and Muxika, and a harmonium in Arratzu, while the festival continues to promote the recovery of other historical instruments.
Aitziber Ansotegi, manager of Urremendi, highlights the festival's approach to heritage as "a legacy that must be part of the life of our towns", opening it to the public to foster culture and local development.
Joxe Benantzi Bilbao, festival coordinator, reminds that organs are not "museum pieces, but living instruments", and each concert offers an opportunity to restore their voice.
The concerts will take place between July 11 and August 15 in churches located in Gernika-Lumo, Mundaka, Gautegiz-Arteaga, Kortezubi, Axpe-Busturia, and Arratzu.
