The Basque Club & North American Basque Organizations Bertsolari Saioa

Mar 8

On Sunday, March 8th, 2026, the San Francisco Basque Club & The North American Basque Organization hosted a full Bertsolari event, featuring the U.S. based Bertsolaris along with special guests from the Basque Country: Julio Soto, Iker Zubeldia & Xabi Paya. The event was sponsored by the San Francisco Basque Club, the San Francisco Basque Cultural Center, the Basque Educational Organization, the Basque Government and the Basque Cultural Institute.

This event is a result of N.A.B.O.’s newest program, Bertsolaritzari Arnasa Berritu Amerikan (Give New Breath to Bertsolaritza in America), whose main purposes are to organize a recurring international Bertsolari event, organize more shorter local Bertsolari events at picnics and festivals, and to teach Bertsolaritza through a local Bertso Eskola (Bertsolari School).

The guest bertsolaris were joined by the U.S. based bertsolaris, Martin Goicoechea (Wyoming), Iban Ajuriagojeaskoa (Oklahoma), Todor Azurtza (Idaho/Gipuzkoa), Oier Pastor (San Francisco) & Nerea Eceiza (New York).

A heartfelt Milesker to all the bertsolaris, MC & Subject Giver Xabier Berrueta, Translator Xabi Paya, Transcriber Valerie Etcharren Arrechea.

Zorionak eta Esker Anitz to Mike and Jeanette Bidart on being honored with N.A.B.O.’s 2026 Bizi Emankorra (Lifetime Contribution) Award for their tremendous dedication to promoting Basque‑American heritage!

For more information on N.A.B.O.’s Bertsolaritzari Arnasa Berritu Amerikan program or on the Bertso Eskola, please email arnasberri@gmail.com.

Below are photos and a video from the March 8th event. On egin!