In this Spanish
video clip that was making the rounds, Basque Renaissance Man
Inaki Perurena.
Here he is put on the spot in an interview with a leading
question that he is not a Basque but instead a Navarrese, and
gives an impressive response.
Related link: Choosing
Basqueness
On ongoing issue of identity is
between those who consider themselves Basque, those who consider
themselves Navarrese, and those who consider themselves both
(and of course none of the above). In this interview Inaki
Perurena explains the historical development of these
identities, and when it was that being Basque was being
Navarrese and vice-versa when the medieval kingdom of Navarre
encompassed all of the present Basque regions. He
concludes by saying that he is of Euskal Herria: the land of
Basque speakers.
This
guy not only speaks well, he can lift some pretty heavy loads!
He first came to renown as a
champion Basque weight lifter, but he does more than that.
Then also starred in a
television series "Goenkale" on ETB1. He has also written
poetry, sculptured and composes bertso among other things.
Hence the Renaissance Man
designation.
