Salbatore Mitxelena
Encyclopedia
Salbatore Mitxelena – 1965 La Chaux-de-Fonds
, Switzerland), was a friar and a writer in the Basque language
.
He was ordained as a friar
in the Franciscan Order
and fled the country during the Spanish Civil War
. He was the author in 1949 of the first book in Basque written about the Civil War. He preached in Biscay
but his ideas brought him into conflict with the church hierarchy of the time and led to his exile to South America
(1954–1962) during which he continued to write and publish in Basque. He dedicated a book to Miguel de Unamuno
, whom he admired in contrast to the majority of Basque writers. He ended his life ministering to Spanish immigrants in Switzerland
.
La Chaux-de-Fonds
La Chaux-de-Fonds is a Swiss city of the district of La Chaux-de-Fonds in the canton of Neuchâtel. It is located in the Jura mountains at an altitude of 1000 m, a few kilometres from the French border. After Geneva and Lausanne, it is the third largest city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of...
, Switzerland), was a friar and a writer in the Basque language
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...
.
He was ordained as a friar
Friar
A friar is a member of one of the mendicant orders.-Friars and monks:...
in the Franciscan Order
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
and fled the country during the Spanish Civil War
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil WarAlso known as The Crusade among Nationalists, the Fourth Carlist War among Carlists, and The Rebellion or Uprising among Republicans. was a major conflict fought in Spain from 17 July 1936 to 1 April 1939...
. He was the author in 1949 of the first book in Basque written about the Civil War. He preached in Biscay
Biscay
Biscay is a province of Spain and a historical territory of the Basque Country, heir of the ancient Lord of Biscay. Its capital city is Bilbao...
but his ideas brought him into conflict with the church hierarchy of the time and led to his exile to South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
(1954–1962) during which he continued to write and publish in Basque. He dedicated a book to Miguel de Unamuno
Miguel de Unamuno
Miguel de Unamuno y Jugo was a Spanish essayist, novelist, poet, playwright and philosopher.-Biography:...
, whom he admired in contrast to the majority of Basque writers. He ended his life ministering to Spanish immigrants in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
.
Works
- Unamuno eta Abendats (1958, Darracq) (essay on Unamuno)
- Arantzazu, euskal-sinismenaren poema (1949, EFA)
- Arraun ta amets (1955, Itxaropena)
- Idazlan guztiak (I eta II) (1977, EFA)
- XX. mendeko poesia kaierak – Salbatore Mitxelena (2000, Susa): Koldo Izagirreren edition
- Ama-semeak Arantzazuko kondairan (1951, EFA)
- Ogei kanta Arantzazuko (1952, EFA)
- Laburtuaz (2000, Olerti Etxea)