07/10/2006
Vitoria-Gasteiz, 7 October 2006.
For centuries, the Santa Maria Cathedral has been a
limitless source of artistic and literary inspiration, like a muse,
even attracting the attention of Victor Hugo. More recently, the
restoration project has drawn in globally renowned writers, including
Ken Follett, Paulo Coelho, Mario Vargas Llosa and Arturo
Pérez-Reverte, to name a few. However, there was a void
between the Cathedral and the world of poetry.
This void has now been filled with the book of poems, “El
Ámbar Gótico” (“Gothic
Amber”), written by José Ignacio Besga Zuazola
(Vitoria-Gasteiz, 1948). “El Ámbar
Gótico” contains forty poems. It is a single work,
perhaps even a long poem; an entire piece in and of itself, in which
time, feelings and the Catedral Vieja become more and more interwoven
throughout the course of this ten-chapter journey.
For as long as the author can remember, the Santa Maria Cathedral of
Vitoria-Gasteiz has enchanted him with an inescapable force. The long
strolls to the top of the hill to be able to see the Cathedral up
close, the portico swimming in the afternoon sunlight, and the
triforium watching over the naves. All these experiences stirred up
feelings that have finally materialised in “El
Ámbar Gótico”.
It is an amber that holds the memories, emotions and whispers that the
poems exist to convey. In Besga´s opinion, “with
the restoration, this symbol of the city, the Santa Maria Cathedral,
has been made larger than life, and the vision of the struggle for
survival that takes place within those sacred walls has been the poetic
complement to my personal experience”.
“The passage of time has converted the memories and dreams
caught in the resin of the Cathedral into glowing amber. In the Gothic
amber, we can make out the whispers, recover the past and find truth.
Despite its bulging pillars, the Cathedral survives, century after
century, patiently watching the passing of the seasons. The restoration
is like a gust of wind breathing new life into her spirit: the dream of
survival”, explains the poet.
José Ignacio Besga Zuazola has a law and business studies
degree from the University of Deusto. Presently, he is the Deputy
Managing Director and Secretary General of the Vitoria and Alava
savings bank, Caja Vital Kutxa, as well as a board member of its
foundations. Representing Caja Vital, he has recently been appointed
Vice President of the Vitoria-Gasteiz Social Council.
Besga has collaborated on poetry publications and served on the panel
of judges for various poetry contests. He has also promoted the
Fundación Mejora poetry contest and the Fundación
Caja Vital young poet´s contest.
Illustrations by
Miguel González de San Román
The poetic essence of “El Ámbar
Gótico” is complemented by the quality of its
illustrations by painter Miguel González de San
Román, who has used his own photographs as well as those of
other renowned photographers such as Navia, Quintas
Fotógrafos, César San Millán, Joserra
Santa María and Isidro Lázaro Mateos.
“I have designed this book for my friend José
Ignacio Besga. It has been a pleasure to contribute to his poetry
project and add the stroke of the brush to the literary form closest to
painting. The book depicts the Cathedral in a vertical fashion, as a
true expression of the Gothic style. And the poems, like images framed
within my own graphic strokes, convey the emotion that lives in the
poems and the value, like poetry, of personal creation”,
explains Miguel González de San Román.
POETRY AND MUSICAL
PERFORMANCE, FRIDAY, 10 NOVEMBER
The relationship between the Santa Maria Cathedral and poetry goes
beyond the publication of the book, “El Ámbar
Gótico”. As part of its “Encuentros con
la Catedral” series, the Cathedral has planned a poetry and
music recital for this Friday, 10 November, at 8:00pm at the Santa
Maria Cathedral.
The event will feature poetry from “El Ámbar
Gótico”, recited by: Pilar Corcuera; Ricardo
Fernández Deu, well-known lawyer and journalist who
participates, together with Javier Nart, in the programmes
“Tribunal popular” (TVE) and “Audiencia
pública” (Antena 3); Laura Marinas;
Jesús Manuel Maroto; Ángela Serna; and Carmela
Vicente. The Manuel Iradier Choir will share its extraordinary musical
quality with the following programme:
“Ave Maria, 16th century” – anonymous -
bass voices
“Maitia nun zira” (mouth closed) - Basque folk
“Monastery ruins” – Sthele - bass voices
“Barcarola” (B.C.) - Weber- children´s
voices
“Lord, you seek my love” (BBC.) - spiritual
“La Virgine d´Angelis”- Verdi
“Beti penetan” (B.C.) - Basque folk -
children´s voices
“Aita gurea” - P. Madina
“Lullaby” (B.C.) - Brahms
“The old bell” - Kubik
“Goizan argi” (B.C.) - Basque folk
“Hosanna” - Ginastera
Soloists: Mª Cruz Ormazabal, soprano
Javier Fernández, tenor
Director´s asst.: Estitxu Delgado
Director: Emilio Ipinza
The Manuel Iradier Choir is once again giving a concert at the Santa
Maria Cathedral, since its closure to the public in 1994. The Gothic
church has hosted numerous musical performances since the reopening in
2000, including: the Gregorian Chant Choir, directed by Ismael
Fernández de la Cuesta; Judith Cohen, Canadian
ethnomusicologist; and the Cathedral of Toulouse Boy´s Choir
(France).
Invitations (one per person) to attend the recital/concert this Friday,
10 November, may be picked up beginning today, Tuesday, 7 November, at
the Santa Maria Cathedral Visitor´s Centre (Plaza de la
Burullería, w/out. no).
Poetry recital
featuring “El Ámbar Gótico”,
by author José Ignacio Besga Zuazola and concert given by
the MANUEL IRADIER CHOIR.
Date: Friday, 10 November
Place and time: Santa Maria Cathedral, 8:00pm