In 2019, Eusko Ikaskuntza and the City of Saint-Jean-de-Luz renewed their commitment and signed a new agreement enabling the Eusko Ikaskuntza association to participate in the organisation and staging of scientific and cultural events in collaboration with the City of Saint-Jean-de-Luz.
Within the framework of this agreement, the City of Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Eusko Ikaskuntza have created a series of new awards to highlight the attachment of the two institutions to musical creation.
Thus, two prizes have been created following discussions with various players on the music scene in the region.
This year, the jury awarded the Honorary Music Prize to singer-songwriter Benito Lertxundik, for his exceptional career in Basque song, and the Youth Prize to multi-instrumentalist Txomin Dhers. The awards ceremony took place on 1 February at the Peyuco Duhart cultural centre.
The ceremony began at 11.30 am with welcoming remarks by the Mayor of Saint-Jean-de-Luz. Eusko Ikaskuntza and the Mayor of Saint-Jean-de-Luz underlined their commitment to culture, and to music in particular, and recalled the exceptional career of the two award winners.
Gratxina Lertxundi, daughter of Benito Lertxundi, received the Makhila of Honour on behalf of her father. Txomin Dhers received the Youth Award and paid tribute to all those who have collaborated with him and encouraged him to continue his musical career.
To round off the ceremony, Txomin Dhers, accompanied by Jean-Claude Enrique (Ttipia), performed a piece of txalaparta, and the dantzaris and musicians of the Begiraleak group presented them with an agurra of honour.
After the ceremony, refreshments were offered to the participants and guests.
