The IX Mitoaldia has been presented in Ataun, kicking off tomorrow with a talk by Koldo Alijostes on 'Basque Mythological Beings' at 7:00 PM. The events will run until July 11, concluding with the Gau ibilaldi mitologikoa (Mythological Night Walk). Tickets will go on sale on Thursday via the website www.jentilbaratza.eus.
At the press conference held at the Barandiaran Museum, Josu Munduate and Jon Aizpurua from the cultural association Jentilbaratza participated alongside Martin Aramendi, the mayor of Ataun. Munduate introduced the characters who «have escaped from our legends and tales»: Sorgina, Akerbeltz, Inguma, San Martin Txiki, Basajaun, and Basandere. The event aims to offer an opportunity to «know, feel, and live» Basque mythology up close.
“"They have escaped from our legends and tales: Sorgina, Akerbeltz, Inguma, San Martin Txiki, Basandere, and Basajaun"
Mayor Martin Aramendi emphasized that «community action» and «collective work» are behind the initiative. «In towns like ours, strengthening the community is essential, and this event manages to involve over 150 volunteers on the busiest days,» he stated. The mayor recalled that the Mitoaldia began in 1981, and over these 45 years, many generations have grown up «with the gentiles and this magical world».
Aramendi praised the Mitoaldia for «socializing» the work of Joxe Miel Barandiaran, «renewing the stories of the past with the words and phrases of that time». «There is nothing like renewing and using to keep something alive,» he said.
“"There is nothing like renewing and using to keep something alive"
The mayor thanked the Jentilbaratza cultural association for its work and highlighted the «crowds» the Mitoaldia attracts to the town. «We know how difficult it is to attract people, but they have a guaranteed audience, and if more tickets were available, they would also sell out,» he added.
Jon Aizpurua, in turn, explained that at Jentilbaratza, they «receive, preserve, and disseminate» what Barandiaran left behind. «Joxe Miel often said that what is taken from the community should be given back to the community,» he noted, adding that for them, the anthropologist from Ataun is «one more myth in Basque mythology».
“"Joxe Miel often said that what is taken from the community should be given back to the community"
Aizpurua recalled that when Barandiaran began working with «old legends and tales,» he knew that «a world was about to disappear.» While acknowledging Barandiaran as an «essential guide and pioneer» in Ataun, he did not wish to forget Juan Arin Dorronsoro, Joxe Arratibel, and Joxe Martin Apalategi.
