Since Benito Lertxundi, who told us that he will leave the scenes for ever, we have been there for several weeks, and since then many of us have felt orphans in one way or another, with a sense of loss or abandonment, sad. To Iruindarro, at least, we will remain forever honored to be "chosen" to feel the emotion of his direct for the last time, since the great teacher gave in our what will be remembered as the last concert of his long career. Since no one knew that it was going to be the last (nor Benito himself), it was dedicated and collected in the most jovial way of a traditional representation, without any atmosphere of nostalgia. Little comfort, relief from infinite grief.

The importance of Benito is difficult to treat in a global and impersonal way, and to do so, the data are sufficient: He has performed 60 years of career, has offered live concerts without rest, has acted as a protagonist in the history of the Basque song from its beginnings until now, and is the author of dozens of songs that we already consider traditional. It has inspired creators of all kinds and received recognition from all of them.

But above the data, it is the emotions that have in each of us that have in Benito handi egi, and they cannot be generalized or reasoned. There are many personal events with Benito and his songs that people have to tell, all private and unrepeatable, and that demonstrates the magical power that Benito has best, which is almost inexplicable: to be able to reach so many hearts, to invent the insides of so many others, to know how to put so many souls into the dance. And for so many years.

I owe a lot to Benito, so much that I can say that his knowledge has been one of the most beautiful things that has happened to me in life, to the point of becoming one of the people who have most marked my way. When the young girl Ane, who was only 14 years old, heard the ballad of the silent words of the Night and felt so much excitement inside, I still have an echo of the impact that caused me that deep and penetrating voice, which from the beginning I knew was going to be a source of many experiences, almost instinctively.

When I met Benito, I had an age of adolescence to go out and discover the world, and I met a teacher who didn't want to be a teacher, who told me about the value of making the way for myself, or the need to name myself the only leader of my intelligence. And of course, always emphasizing the importance of freedom, not only of oneself, but also of our nation. Benito awakened my awareness of being a dominated people, and showed that our pain and helplessness are linked to it. You can imagine to what extent it was suggestive for a young man the rich world that was visible in these conversations.

Since then, his music has been a food for my inner world, growing up, living and developing under the shadow of those songs. In this music I have accumulated my life experiences, increasing my joys and healing my pains. It's the refuge of emotions, of my memorable moments, that every song makes me live again. Benito's music is the atmosphere of my life, the harmony that flourishes Ane, my affective sonorous home. And how well I feel about such a big treasure!

Benito, alchemist of our emotions, all the good things you've given us. All my admiration for his greatness, and nothing but gratitude for all that you have made me feel!