“The txalaparta is more than just an instrument or a form of music; it’s like a philosophy or a way of life,” says musician Julen Achiary. A traditional percussion instrument of the Basque Country, the txalaparta consists of an assembly of planks that are struck with sticks. What makes it unique is that it is played by two people and cannot be played alone.
Historically, the txalaparta set the rhythm for days of farm work and served as a means of communication from one valley to another. Banned under Franco, the instrument reemerged in the 1980s. The txalaparta is a powerful symbol of Basque identity because it survived that period of forced acculturation, when the Basque language was also banned. After experiencing a resurgence of interest in the Basque Country, the instrument has spread across the globe. It is played in all its forms and across all genres: traditional music, rock, jazz… For the closing concert of the Haizebegi festival, the txalaparta takes center stage with the duo Kimu Txalaparta.
Kimu Txalaparta in action
