Xabier Lete facts for kids
Xabier Lete Bergaretxe (born in Oiartzun, Gipuzkoa, on April 5, 1944 – died in Donostia on December 4, 2010) was a famous Basque writer, poet, singer, and politician. He started writing when he was young and often shared his articles in a magazine called "Zeruko Argia."
In 1965, he helped create a Basque music group with friends like Mikel Laboa and Benito Lertxundi. This group was named "Ez Dok Amairu." Even after the group ended in 1972, Xabier Lete continued singing with Lourdes Iriondo, who later became his wife.
Xabier Lete published his first poetry book in 1968. In October 2009, he won the Basque Literature Award for his last poetry book, "Egunsentiaren esku izotzak" (which means "Frozen hands of the dawn"). He faced a sad time in 2005 when his wife, Lourdes, passed away after an illness. In 2009, he became a member of Jakiunde, a special Basque academy for science, art, and literature. In 2010, he was made an honorary member of the Academy of the Basque Language. Xabier Lete died later that year, on December 4, due to a serious illness.
Contents
About Xabier Lete
His Life as a Singer
Xabier Lete went to school in Donostia. After high school, he started technical studies in Tarragona but didn't finish them. Instead, he spent his time watching movies and reading books. When he returned to the Basque Country, he worked in a factory in Pasaia, where he began writing his first poems. He loved reading from a young age and started writing early. In 1965, he began writing for the "Zeruko Argia" magazine. Xabier Lete also enjoyed acting and was part of a group called Lartaun in Oiartzun.
He was part of starting the music group Ez Dok Amairu. A famous sculptor named Jorge Oteiza gave the group its name. Oteiza wanted to create a movement to help bring back Basque culture. Ez Dok Amairu was the music part of this plan. This was during a time when Basque culture was not encouraged. Many Basques wanted to improve things, and their songs became powerful messages. Sadly, the group broke up in 1970 after their show "Baga, biga, higa."
Lete also worked with other singers, like Antton Valverde. Together, they sang poems by Lizardi and Txirrita between 1975 and 1978. Xabier Lete also worked in theater, hoping to create modern Basque plays. He met Eugenio Arozena and they worked together. Their plays led to new theater groups forming in Oiartzun.
The most important part of Lete's songs was often the deep poems and words within them, even though he also composed much of the music. Besides his own words, Lete sang songs by other poets, like Lizardi and Jacques Brel. Many other singers, such as Mikel Laboa and Benito Lertxundi, have also used Lete's poems for their own songs.
His Life as a Poet
Lete started writing poetry in 1964. His first book of poems, "Egunetik egunera orduen gurpilean" (meaning "From day to day in the wheels of the hours"), was published in 1968. In this book, you can see the influence of Gabriel Aresti's social poetry. Lete used his words to speak out against unfairness in society. He criticized poets who avoided talking about real-world problems.
His second poetry book, "Bigarren poema liburua" (meaning "Second book of poems"), came out in 1974. This book was more personal. Influenced by French ideas about life, Lete thought deeply about topics like life and death.
The next book, "Urrats desbideratuak" (meaning "The diverted steps"), was published in 1981. In this work, his language became stronger. The poems showed feelings of sadness and hopelessness, leading to philosophical thoughts.
After recovering from an illness, Lete published his fourth poetry book in 1992. It was called "Zentzu antzanldatuen poemategia" (meaning "The book of poems of transmuted senses"). He won the Felipe Arrese Beitia poetry prize from Euskaltzaindia, the Academy of the Basque Language. A new version of this book later came out with a different name: "Biziaren ikurrak" (meaning "The symbols of life").
In 2009, Lete received an award for his poetry book "Egunsentiaren esku izotzak." In the same year, he became a member of Jakiunde, the Basque Academy of Science, Art, and Letters.
His Life as a Politician
After his third book, Lete took a break from writing to focus on politics. In the 1980s, he held important positions in the Department of Culture of Gipuzkoa's Local Council. He was first a General Director and then a Councillor. However, due to health issues, he eventually stopped his public work in politics.
Music Albums
- Xabier Lete (1974, Elkar)
- Bertso zaharrak (1974, Elkar). This is a collection of old poems created with Antton Valverde and Julen Lekuona.
- Txirritaren bertsoak (1975, Elkar). Created with Antton Valverde.
- Xabier Lete eta Lurdes Iriondoren 4 disko txikiren bilduma (LP 33 r.p.m.) (1976, Edigsa)
- Kantatzera noazu (1976, Elkar).
- Lore bat, zauri bat (1977, Elkar)
- Eskeintza (1991, Elkar)
- Hurbil iragana (1992, Elkar). This is a collection of his works.
- Berrehun urtez bertsotan (2001, Elkar). A long collection of poems.
- R.M.Rielkeren "Orduen Liburua" (2004, Pamiela)
- Xabier Lete Zuzenean. Errenteria 1999.IX.25. Azken Konztertua (2 Live CD) - (2010, A&M Kultur Promotora).
See also
In Spanish: Xabier Lete para niños
