- Fermin Muguruza today receives the San Sebastian Branch of Culture award. “Let’s see if we can break once and for all this generalized derision of the beginning of the century, this lack of perspective,” he told the Light. And in the meantime, gigantic concerts, gigantic bars, putting traditional music on the chiringuitos doesn’t help at all. That ended a long time ago.”
During the interview, Muguruza proclaimed his desire to do new things, because “the world is constantly moving. Without impetus, no attractive young team can be found. The fact that I want to unite the groups of the 80s makes me suffer from psychosomatic asthma. I think it's a reactionary nostalgia. If we are revolutionaries, if we are innovators, let us not be reactionary with music. And I’m not just talking about the Basque Country, I’m talking about the phenomenon all over the world.”
A Iranian who not only works as a musician, but also as a filmmaker, has always been critical. “I once called myself a suicidal optimist and an active pessimist as a therapy against skepticism. Some doses of postmodernism come in handy from time to time, taking the distance and laughing at everything, but I find the exercise too easy when there are no strong left references. However, as a friend told me, the script of socialism is there, what happens is that the filmmakers were very bad. And we're going to have to get back to that, with attempts at communism that will drive self-management... Of course, respecting the local culture, learning from these terrible mistakes made before. Communism of the human face, or socialism of the 21st century.”
“I proclaim the renewal of all speeches”
“I proclaim the renewal of all discourses and I am also vigilant about the theories about feminism.” He also stressed the need for work in another interview: “We are still in shock in some countries because the blow of globalization has been very hard and has dragged us. There are huge communication gaps because, despite the fact that you seem to have virtually 5,000 people, a lot has been lost in terms of relationship and solidarity. The main syndicate we have here is my ass and me. We need to find new ways.”
So juxtaposed, the jury that has decided on the award has highlighted its ability to break new paths, as well as to address different styles and reach a young audience. “Fermín Muguruza has demonstrated, like no other, his ability to absorb melodies and influences from other origins, bringing them to our culture, to the heart of the Basque language.”