Juan Antonio Urbeltz
Juan Antonio Urbeltz has played a leading role in the world of Basque dance and culture for a generation, and his mark is clearly visible today, specifically in bringing about a profound change in how Basque dance groups think about dance and how they now present it.
The work of Juan Antonio Urbeltz (Iruna-Pamplona, 1940) in the world of Basque folklore is multi-faceted. His experience and teachings provide us a unique opportunity to look into the world of folk dance to learn something more about the Basque people. He has played a pivotal--if not the central role--in a virtual revolution in the world of Basque dance: how it is prepared, portrayed, presented and understood.
Urbeltz is both an innovator and perpetuator. His early work concentrated on researching and resurrecting the wide world of traditional Basque folk dance. After years of study, he has recently embarked on the creation of new dances.
