Imanol Epelde (Zarautz, 1977) is a professor, writer and creator of culture. He founded the Etxepare Rap project, through which he has managed to teach innovative texts of Basque literature, linking with contemporary music. In his blog “27 Zapata”, he is dedicated to “humorous self-criticism” and shakes his heads with the videoblogs that he upload to Youtube, in the field of political and social criticism. In addition to disseminating Basque culture, it has promoted its consumption with the resources offered by the new technologies.

Where does your interest in the Basque Country come from?

I am an Basque and so am I. I would say that language is the highest mark of my personality. Above all, in this diglosic situation of the language, in which we have two other superlanguages, French and Spanish, and a third, English, which is even greater. It is a cry for the proclamation of life expectancy and a struggle to be. I feel part of a community and a family, of the people of Euskera. That's what makes me and what makes me.

Has this feeling driven you into teaching?

I was at the ikastola, and at that time there was a bertsos school. I learned to be and act in public, and also to play with language, among other things. I've lived more closely the transition from being in public to teaching. Being in the day-to-day making bertsos in front of people, teaching and working with young people… is an energy chute. It is true that sometimes it is tired, but it is a pleasure to be always up to date and to be with the students.

You started in Bertsolarism from a very young age, and you're one of the founders of Motxian Bertso Eskola. Is Bertsolarism essential to boost Basque culture?

Bertsolarism is the most powerful expression of Basque culture today. Not because Bertsolaris is very straightforward and touching, not only because of that, but because this world is very organized. The Bertso eskolas are essential and must have an impact on education. Today, in theatre, in music and in literature, we should not envy any culture. Furthermore, Bertsolarism has a couple of great advantages: it is very well organised and in other cultures it does not exist.

You've participated in the Gipuzkoa championships. He has demonstrated the level.

Now not [laughter]. I like public activity, but improvisation is very hard. Each one puts a theme and answers, or responds to what the other says... It costs me a lot. It takes a lot of training and discipline. I was in championships, and there was a lot of party; I didn't want to live Bertsolarism like that. At that time, when I was tired or angry, I came to give up on Bertsolaris, and that led me to open up other creative avenues.

Where did the idea and motivation come from to do Etxepare Rap?

I worked with the students, they showed Basque literature works. And I realized that the Basque Country, given its history and its scarcity, smells of old closet, that the rest of the languages don't have. And I thought, to give that glitter to the Basque Country, I can teach our literature, but I'll try to do it in a pretty way. We were reading the texts, and I thought I could take those texts to the song. Put the literature on a contemporary basis like rap and see if it works. I started with Etxepare's texts, and so I continued to create about twenty songs.

“Lingua Vasconum Primitiae” is the best known song of this project. Would Etxepare someday imagine that they would rap the first book in Euskera?

I guess so. To be written in 1545, I had a very modern preamble that serves today. Then, in terms of content, it was very fresh and innovative. You still have to wait for new versions of trap or any other style.

He makes a review of Basque culture with songs of several centuries. What did you think was the most special?

From that Etxepare Rap that I did first, I would underline the letters of Oihenart. I made ten songs to start with, and years later I decided to do another ten. In the latter, I tried to add the voices of women, and here I would highlight Bixenta Mogel, who in the early nineteenth century brought out a book in Basque. In the post it says: “Many of you will think that this is not a woman’s job, that she should be sewing and not writing books, but my brother started learning Latin and I did.” He later learned Latin better than his brother, and in fact his works are translations of fables. He had the courage to make a book, and I, for my part, have been very happy with the song.

Not many women appear in literature books. Are female referents missing in the Basque culture?

No, there are. Today there are names such as Miren Agur Meabe, Uxue Alberdi, Eider Rodríguez… I would not say they are on par, but I think that, as far as women are concerned, voices are increasingly being heard.

In the videoblogs you upload to Youtube, you get to know the contents that are published in the field of Basque culture. Are many of them hidden?

We have no idea. As I enter Spotify, a large number of references come to mind, but among them, there is never any reference to Basque culture. If I take the press, in the newspaper that reads the most in Gipuzkoa there are hardly any references to the Basque culture. In ETB2, Euskera barely exists. If we do not make an effort to collect what is being created around the Basque country, nothing will come of us. The Basque country lacks a large box of resonances, a tool that would serve to disseminate the works created. With students and teachers, it's clear that we don't know what books, songs or theater there is. In addition, as far as theatre is concerned, I believe that we are living in a golden age; the works that are being created in the literature are also very nice, and the music has been powerful. There are always some that stand out, but behind them there are more works and creators.

Now you will meet the band that touched the boom, the Chill Mafia. What do you think?

I think it is a good thing that this kind of work should come out. They seem to make songs to have a good time, but behind them there are creators with a lot of training. Video clips are very elaborate, they understand the coordinates of the time… However, that doesn’t mean that it applauds everything they do. In fact, from a feminist point of view, I think some images are a bit out of time. However, it is a passing. They take into account the works that emerged from the periphery of the Basque Country, taking into account Iparralde... In an interview they said they have doubts about what their favorite is, if Jon Mirande or Gabriel Aresti. Do you forgive me? That means you have read it and you have formed it. I wish there were more. In that relationship between Euskera and Castilian, I think we have to remove those complexes, and they do so naturally, they are attracting a lot of people. Long live the Chill Mafia!

You have used the Youtube channel to make social and political demands.

Yeah, even when I did Etxepare Rap. I try to shake our consciences and so I put the slogan of my blog: “humorous self-criticism of everyday life”. We also have to learn to laugh at ourselves, because it's very healthy. Starting with our shortcomings and fears, which will serve to achieve a better society and a better world. I see a lot of things that would change, starting with me, and I think it's essential to identify them and put them on the table. Social and political criticism must be present; that is how I understand, at least, my creativity.

Through songs or videoblogs, you've driven another kind of learning. Should the school education system have these innovative changes?

No. I like to sing, new technologies, blogs, cameras -- but many others don't. The important thing is that teachers pass on the passion to the students, one way or another we will achieve it. Everyone has their tools and their strengths, and there's not a single path. It's a mix of everyone, and I have a lot to learn from others, from both beginners and those who have been around for many years. The label of the innovator is very mentioned and it is placed anywhere. In fact, with technology, the class acquires an innovative character. But even though we use the technologies, we can continue to give the session as dry as ever. I do mine from humility and, if it is useful to others, go ahead.

How does current youth see in relation to Euskera?

It's a matter of consciousness. To speak in Basque, you have to make a political decision, you have to make a bet, because the situation leads you to live in Spanish. I see many young people with that awareness and many others without it. I think schools and education need to do that work. Nowadays, public schools teach in Euskera because a political commitment was made.

Finally, a small recommendation for Basque works.

In the theater, the Fuchs brothers of the North or the Artedrama Platform. Music: Chill Mafia. In literature, the ballad of the sad Café. And in poetry, José Luis Otamendi.