“Ombuaren Itzala”, or in the shadow of Otaño, the bertsolari
“Ombuaren Itzala”, or in the shadow of Otaño, the bertsolari
Text: Christine Holmes Photos: Ombuaren hitzala
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With the support of public participation, this film has returned the cultural heritage bequeathed by Otaño to the Basque people.
“Ombuaren Itzala”, made by actor and director Patxi Biskert, aims to raise awareness of the life and work of the bertsolari (improvisational singer) and poet Pello Mari Otaño Barriola (Zizurkil 1857 – Rosario, Argentina 1910).
Although Otaño occupied a place of honour in Basque culture for a long time, this once-leading figure gradually fell into oblivion. The film, produced by Eguzki Art Zinema, aims to revive the memory of Otaño and pass his works on to younger generations.
Origins and development of the project
Patxi Biskert has been working tirelessly for many years to bring the film “Ombuaren Itzala” (in the shade of the ombú tree) to life. To finance the project, he set up a large-scale collective and participatory process, involving citizens, municipalities, cultural associations and the educational network. The project, which came about thanks to institutional support and ticket pre-sales, has been shown around the Basque Country since November 2024.
Content and plot of the film
The film is set between 1889 and 1910, Otaño’s most productive years. At that time, he emigrated with his family to Argentina, where he wrote many poems and bertsos that would make him famous among the Basque diaspora. Phytolacca dioica, commonly known as the ombú, is a remarkable tree that grows in the Argentine Pampas. It inspired Otaño to write one of his most recognised poems, which made it a symbol of nostalgia linked to exile.
“The film “Ombuaren Itzala” adds to our collective memory, by highlighting the figure of Pello Mari Otaño and his contributions to Basque culture.”
Production and distribution
The film was shot in Zizurkil and Argentina, Otaño’s two main places of residence.
It was previewed at the church of San Millan in Zizurkil on 30 November 2024, in the presence of its director Patxi Biskert, lead actor Joseba Usabiaga and other actors and operators who participated in the project.
It is currently on tour in several towns in Hegoalde, the Southern Basque Country. Although no date has yet been set for a screening in Iparralde, the Northern Basque Country. Let’s hope we will have the opportunity to see it in our cinemas soon.
Moreover, the film will not stop at the cinema doors. As a fitting return, the documentary has been designed to be shown in other community and cultural venues in the Basque Country and used in schools in the region.
The film “Ombuaren Itzala” adds to our collective memory, by highlighting the figure of Pello Mari Otaño and his contributions to Basque culture and putting them in the spotlight they deserve.
This documentary is also further proof of the strength and solidarity of the Basque community in preserving its cultural heritage. Le film « Ombuaren Itzala » vient alimenter notre mémoire collective, en repéchant la figure de Pello Mari Otaño et sa contribution [CH : contributionS ???] à la culture basque pour les mettre sous la lumière qu’elles méritent.
Otaño wrote at the end of one of his bertsos, “I am motivated by the desire to help the Basque language. The subjects available to me are modest, I have very little to say, but I will happily spend my nights, days, weeks and holidays on it. My brothers, I ask you for a small place in the Basque Country”.
Ama euskerak hau esan zidan
jarririk begi alaiak.
Horregatikan nakar honera
berari lagundu nahiak.
Gutxi nezake, oso txikiak
dira nik dauzkadan gaiak,
bainan pozkiroz egingo ditut
gauak, egun, aste, jaiak;
leku pixka bat Euskal Herrian
eskatzeizuet anaiak.
(…)
Thanks to Patxi Biskert, Eguzki Art Zinema, and the operators and citizens involved, the place of Otaño is now assured in the Basque Country so dear to his heart.
