Overview

The Musika Etxea Academia Municipal de Folklore is a vital institution in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain, dedicated to preserving and promoting traditional Basque music and dance. Located just north of Rioja, the academy plays a key role in ensuring that Basque heritage—from instruments to attire—remains a vibrant part of the local culture. Through concerts and Agurra dancing, the school shares these traditions with the community and visitors alike.

How We Support

Through The Slow Fund, Butterfield & Robinson supported the Musika Etxea Academia Municipal de Folklore by funding the commissioning of new traditional instruments and helping to sustain the teaching of Txalaparta, Alboka, and Txirula music. This support contributed to the academy’s mission of passing down these unique musical traditions to the next generation.

Supporting traditional instrument craftsmanship

The funding helped the academy acquire new instruments essential to Basque music, such as the Txalaparta (a wooden percussion instrument), Alboka (a double-reed hornpipe), and Txirula (a wooden flute). By investing in these handcrafted instruments, the support ensured that students could learn and perform using authentic tools of their heritage.

Keeping Basque music alive through education

The academy is not just a performance space—it is a learning centre where students are trained in traditional Basque music. Our contribution helped sustain the teaching of these instruments, allowing young musicians to master the skills needed to carry these traditions forward.

Sharing Basque culture with travellers

B&R travellers in the Rioja region were often treated to private performances of traditional Basque music and dance, offering them an intimate experience of the region’s rich cultural heritage. These performances—featuring students from the academy—brought the sounds and rhythms of Basque history to life, creating unforgettable moments for visitors. Through this partnership, Butterfield & Robinson was proud to help preserve and celebrate the cultural legacy of the Basque region.