in this issue
- EDITORIAL
- Contemporary Basque Literature
- Translating Basque Literature
- ANTHOLOGY OF MODERN BASQUE PROSE
- Aingeru Epaltza
- Angel Lertxundi
- Ramon Saizarbitoria
- Arantxa Urretabizkaia
- Bernardo Atxaga
- Mariasun Landa
- Joseba Sarrionandia
- Iban Zaldua
- Lourdes Oñederra
- Harkaitz Cano
- Pello Lizarralde
- Xabier Montoia
- Inazio Mujika Iraola
Pello Lizarralde
Pello LizarraldeM.J. Olaziregi in An Anthology of Basque Short Stories, Center for Basque Studies, Reno, 2004.
I was born in Zumarraga in 1956. Most of the people there had just recently abandoned their scythes and hoes. Our father became a truck driver. I've spent many hours on the highway and on trains. I've had some crazy dreams, but never that I would be a "professional writer.
The magazines Zeruko Argia and Argia gave me the opportunity to write and learn, and the magazine Ustela gave me the opportunity to publish. I have since published six books - Sargori (Heat Wave) in 1994 and Un ange passe: Isilaldietan (An Angel Passes: In Moments of Silence) in 1998 -- and I don't know what to say about what I've written. My life would be lessened if I were forced to give up writing, but it would be unbearable if I had to give up reading.
I have come across some very kind people among Basque writers and lovers of literature, but I have few kindred spirits among them.
Hearing people say that I'm a writer embarrasses me less than it used to do. I want to continue writing, but I'm not in any hurry.
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