Juan María Lekuona
Encyclopedia
Juan María Lekuona Berasategi (Oiartzun
, Guipúzcoa, 1927 - Donostia, 5 December de 2005) was a Basque
poet
in euskera.
He was Manuel Lekuona's nephew
. In 1953 he became a priest
. After his residence in Rome
, where he defended his thesis
, he worked in Añorga, near Donostia. He read Gabriel Aresti
's books in those years and that is why his work was very orientated to social fight in the beginning, as we can see in Mindura gaur, his first book.
He was the first president of EIZIE
in 1987.
His studies about bersolarism (oral Basque
tradition) are very important and he became a member of Euskaltzaindia
in 1988. He won several prices in life, like two Premios Euskadi de Literatura, in 1979 and 1990.
Oiartzun
Oiartzun is a town of the Basque Country located in the province of Gipuzkoa lying at the foot of the massif Aiako Harria.The name traces back to the Oiasso or Oiarso of the Roman period, an important town dedicated to mining and marine activities...
, Guipúzcoa, 1927 - Donostia, 5 December de 2005) was a Basque
Basque people
The Basques as an ethnic group, primarily inhabit an area traditionally known as the Basque Country , a region that is located around the western end of the Pyrenees on the coast of the Bay of Biscay and straddles parts of north-central Spain and south-western France.The Basques are known in the...
poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
in euskera.
He was Manuel Lekuona's nephew
Nephew
Nephew is a son of one's sibling or sibling-in-law, and niece is a daughter of one's sibling or a sibling-in-law. Sons and daughters of siblings-in-law are also informally referred to as nephews and nieces respectively, even though there is no blood relation...
. In 1953 he became a priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
. After his residence in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, where he defended his thesis
Thesis
A dissertation or thesis is a document submitted in support of candidature for an academic degree or professional qualification presenting the author's research and findings...
, he worked in Añorga, near Donostia. He read Gabriel Aresti
Gabriel Aresti
Gabriel Aresti Segurola was one of the most important writers and poets in Basque language in the 20th century....
's books in those years and that is why his work was very orientated to social fight in the beginning, as we can see in Mindura gaur, his first book.
He was the first president of EIZIE
EIZIE
EIZIE stands for Euskal Itzultzaile, Zuzentzaile eta Interpreteen Elkartea; that is, the Association of Translators, Correctors and Interpreters of the Basque Language.- Origins and organization :...
in 1987.
His studies about bersolarism (oral Basque
Basque language
Basque is the ancestral language of the Basque people, who inhabit the Basque Country, a region spanning an area in northeastern Spain and southwestern France. It is spoken by 25.7% of Basques in all territories...
tradition) are very important and he became a member of Euskaltzaindia
Euskaltzaindia
Euskaltzaindia is the official academic language regulatory institution which watches over the Basque language. It carries out research on the language, seeks to protect it, and establishes standards of use...
in 1988. He won several prices in life, like two Premios Euskadi de Literatura, in 1979 and 1990.