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Of the same author:
POESIA
Gabriel Aresti (1933-1975) Born into a nationalist non-Basque-speaking family in Bilbao. At fourteen he began to study Basque on his own, reading the classics in the City Library and listening to popular verse improvisers. His poetry evolved from the symbolism of his youth to the social criticism of his later years. He exerted an enormous influence of the youth of the 60s and 70s. His work Harri eta Herri (Stone and Country, 1964) is the foundational book of Basque modern civil poetry. He was critical, indulged in controversy and broke the myth of the «Basque believer». He openly stated his left-wing ideas, and also contributed to the updating of song-singing and drama... His death, which coincided with the end of the Franco regime, closed a period of Basque literature. |
IF FOR TELLING THE TRUTH... Gabriel Aresti , 1963
If for telling the truth they must kill my daughters, rape my wife, pull down the house where I live; if for telling the truth they must cut off the hand I write with, the tongue I sing with; if for telling the truth they must rub out my name from the golden pages of Basque literature, never in any way nor in any place will they be able to make me shut up.
Translation: Toni Strubell Original version: EGIA BAT ESATEAGATIK
© Gabriel Aresti © Translation: Toni Strubell
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