Musician Fermin Muguruza sings in the Basque language – a language which was forbidden in Spain during Franco's regime. In this interview Fermin Muguruza speaks about his personal experiences with music censorship in Spain: Its mechanisms, its impact on the artist, and the authorities' fear of what music can do.
Wimpy Wasp Video Preview
Fermin Muguruza is often referred to as the most well-known Basque rock singer. He has been playing music in more than 25 years, and has performed with artists such as Manu Chau.
"The authorities are afraid of my music because it is a tool against the ignorance. And these authorities want the ignorance so that they can do what they want," he said when Freemuse interviewed him in March 2007. "The political authorities are afraid of my music because I can meet a lot of different people, and they can listen to different ways of thinking..."
Fermin Muguruza's commitment for the rights of the political prisoners and against torture is allegedly regarded as a provocation by the governing conservative People's Party and the organisation 'Victims of Terror' (AVT).
The video interview was recorded by Mik Aidt and Ole Reitov in Copenhagen in Denmark on 29 March 2007.
More informationabout Fermin Muguruza
Wikipedia – open source encyclopedia (continously updated by anyone): wikipedia.org/wiki/Fermin_Muguruza Listento Fermin Muguruza's music
MP3-file: 'Milaka Billaka' (5.2 MB) The translation of 'Milaka Bilaka' is: 'Thousands findings'. Fermin Muguruza explains that he did this track at the beginning of 2007 in order to reactivate the process of peace in the Basque Country. It features artists such as Manu Chao, Marina 'Ojos de Brujo', Mouss, Hakim of Zebda, and others.
A packed concert hall in Guernica greeted Ray Lema and his trio on 28 October 2007 as the African piano veteran concluded the second 'Festival Against Censorship'
Video interview with musician Fermin Muguruza about his experiences with music censorship in Spain: Its mechanisms, its impact on the artist, and the fear of music
On 2 November 2006, the Basque hardcore punk band Soziedad Alkoholika was taken to court for an alleged crime of praising terrorism in some of their songs
The Basque rock singer Fermin Muguruza suffers from concert bans in Spain. Threats from neo-fascist groups was said to be the reason for the cancellations of his concerts
