🌍 World Music — Basque

Basque music is practised on both sides of the Pyrenees, in the Basque-speaking territories of France and Spain. The txistu, a three-hole flute usually played together with a small drum, accompanies dances, processions and ceremonies, while trikitixa combines diatonic accordion and tambourine. Choirs have held an important place since the 19th century, but Basque singing also includes solo, liturgical, festive and popular forms. Bertsolaritza is a sung poetic improvisation following melodies and metrical constraints, rather than a simple musical duel. Folk, Basque radical rock, punk, pop and creations in Euskara today continue this very vibrant linguistic identity.