The conversation revolved around the book Veleia afera. In his day, I read with admiration the work of Barandiaran, and it still seems to me that we have some of the most exemplary essays and studies in Basque. Therefore, I easily understood – anyone who could understand it – the contribution that the book made to Basque culture; and the contribution it made to Sautrela, the invitation to the author.

However, I find it a little more difficult to guess what kind of contribution Elexpuru theories have made to Basque culture, and what contributions can be given to the dissemination of these theories without calling into question the Artefact, in a literary session that should be serious. Could we invite a homeopath to a medical session – I seriously insist –? Well, apparently, there is no problem in tracing someone who moves around the usual topics, the mystery of the origin of our language, the pride that gives our people to have an ancient language, our self-esteem.

At the end of the session, Elexpuru gave us a moral thought: we are lost at the top of the kitchen and the bottom of the kitchen; we have turned our back on our identity, on the old treasure that we really have to offer the world. Gastronomy is fine, but if you drink, take Coca-Cola from the 3rd century.