Description
Bidasoa and Baztán
Book Summary
Fernando Telletxea Oskoz immerses us in the enchanted valleys of Bidasoa and Baztán to unveil the enigmas of the dark arts and spells of those women who, according to popular saying, marked the daily life of a society wrapped in the promises of the Church. Through a careful compilation of stories transmitted by oral tradition, the author recovers a legacy of tales and legends that his grandmother and mother told him by the hearth. A work that rescues the memory of a world where the magical and the real intertwine.
What is it about?
This book explores the stories and adventures that have inhabited the landscapes of Bidasoa and Baztán for generations. The author, passionate about the oral narratives of his childhood, has collected as much material as possible from those who, before him, dedicated themselves to passing on these stories. The work delves into the figure of women linked to the dark arts and spells, showing how their presence was integrated into the daily life of a deeply religious community. Through these pages, the reader will discover a universe where memory is lost in time but lives on in the legends still whispered by the valleys.
Main themes
- Mythology and legends of the Navarrese Pyrenees.
- Oral transmission of collective memory.
- The figure of the woman as a carrier of ancestral knowledge and spells.
- Conflict between popular beliefs and the doctrine of the Catholic Church.
- Cultural identity of the Bidasoa and Baztán valleys.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at readers interested in historical and contemporary fiction with roots in Basque-Navarrese folklore. Also to those who enjoy narratives that explore oral tradition, rural myths, and the tension between the pagan and the religious. It is ideal for lovers of the legends of the Pyrenean valleys and for those seeking a work that recovers the intangible heritage of a region.
What this book offers
- An immersion into the magical and legendary universe of Bidasoa and Baztán from a documented and narrative perspective.
- The recovery of orally transmitted stories, preserving a cultural legacy threatened by oblivion.
- A vision of rural life and popular beliefs that coexisted with religious orthodoxy in a bygone era.
- A reading experience that combines the mystery of the dark arts with the warmth of stories told by the fireside.
- An emotional connection with the memory of ancestors and the identity of the Navarrese valleys.
Technical data
- Author: Telletxea Oskoz, Fernando
- Publisher: Huerga y Fierro Editores
- Language: Spanish
- Topic: Modern and contemporary fiction, Historical fiction
- Collection: Narrative
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: October 2019
- Number of pages: 254
- Weight: 410 g
Editorial review
Bidasoa and Baztán offers a solid proposal for those who wish to delve into the folklore of the Navarrese valleys through prose that respects oral tradition. Fernando Telletxea Oskoz succeeds in weaving a mosaic of stories that not only entertain, but also document a cultural heritage at risk of disappearing. The work stands out for its ability to evoke atmosphere and for the care taken in compiling sources, making it a recommended read both for fans of historical fiction and for students of local ethnography.