Josu Goia Etxeberria, a native of Bera, died on 3 November at the age of 71. He was a historic member of the Abertzale left and participated in the first National Bureau of Herri Batasuna. He was also mayor of Bera between 1999 and 2003 and councillor for sixteen years.

Josu Goia was born in Bera in 1947. He was mayor of the town of Biscay with the Euskal Herritarrok party, which was developed between 1999 and 2003. That same year, he was the head of Beraginez's list in the Navarre town, but was banned by the Supreme Court.

The Navarro politician was a member of the first National Bureau of Herri Batasuna and a parliamentarian in the Parliament of Navarra in 1979. He participated in the Management Board of Egin, and was until 2018 advisor to the Association for the Dissemination of the Basque Media published by Gara newspaper.

He was also a musician and singer throughout his life, as well as a writer and sculptor. He also published books and records. In addition to the organist of the Bera church, he was the director of the Music Band for years. His last contribution was the score of the musical piece Otoitz Jaunak de Altzate released this year by the music band at the Bera parties.

Funeral emotive

His funerals were held on the afternoon of Sunday, November 4, at the Church of San Esteban in Bera (Bizkaia). The dantzaris of Zion Txokoa made a bow to the coffin, with the music of Alkate Soinua. Upon entering the church, the Gaiters turned to the hymn of the Courts of Navarra and to Maitia non zira. The Veteran Txistularis group put a handkerchief on the coffin and the friends of the seminary also dedicated a few words to it. The band and choir of Bera offered him in the death of Xalbador. Once the religious trade was over, the dantzaris of Zion Txokoa danced the Aurresku and again the casket passed under the arc, while they sang the favorite song of Josu Goia, Ai Begi ederra. The ikurrina and the flag of Navarra were fired from Josu Goia in Bera.