Etxepare Basque Institute Music Award 2026: Fermin Muguruza

The Musika Bulegoa Awards marked their tenth edition, celebrating the diversity and creativity of Basque music. At the ceremony on 4 June at Biarritz’s Atabal, Fermin Muguruza received the Etxepare Basque Institute Music Award.

This award recognises creative artists who help to promote Basque music beyond our borders. Fermin Muguruza was the recipient of this year’s award. The jury comprised the winners of the last three editions – Oreka TX, Euskal Barrokensemble and Izaro – together with the Etxepare Basque Institute. The jury recognised Muruguza’s contribution to promoting Basque music and the Basque language internationally.

Fermin Muguruza (Irun, 1963) is one of the most prominent figures in Basque music. The vocalist, composer, producer and filmmaker has played a key role in promoting Basque culture internationally, with a career spanning over four decades. Among other recent accomplishments, Muguruza has embarked on an international tour to mark the 40th anniversary of his musical career, bringing music in the Basque language to stages across Europe, Latin America and Asia, and cementing his presence on major international circuits.

Muguruza was a founding member of the bands Kortatu and Negu Gorriak and has since pursued a solo career combining the Basque language with genres ranging from reggae and dub to hip-hop and other world music. His lyrics are marked by social commitment, linguistic diversity and international solidarity. Beyond music, he has also carved out a remarkable career in film with productions such as ‘Black is Beltza’ and ‘Black is Beltza II: Ainhoa’. Today, he remains one of the leading international figures in Basque culture and language.

For these reasons, and in recognition of his lifelong commitment to promoting the Basque language and culture on the international stage, Fermin Muguruza has been awarded the 2026 Etxepare Basque Institute Music Award.

Musika Bulegoa 2026 Awards

The Musika Bulegoa Awards are designed to celebrate the Basque music industry, promote artists’ work, raise awareness, support their careers, and provide a platform to showcase their talent.

A total of eleven prizes are awarded, eight of them by a professional jury, and an honorary prize awarded by EHMBE for outstanding achievements in music. There is also an audience award, chosen by popular vote. This year´s winners are:

• Olaia Inziarte — ‘Zerrautsa’
• Jon Sáenz — ‘Exodus’
• Maite Ruiz de Erentxun — ‘Maite Ruiz de Erentxun’
• Sara Zozaya — ‘Attä’
• Maite Larburu — ‘Maizter’
• Izaki Gardenak — ‘Sitsak’
• EZEZEZ — ‘Kabakriba’
• ØDEI — ‘Goizegi hiltzeko’

The Audience Award went to Xabi Aburruzaga for his work Bask. Nearly 3,000 people took part in the vote through the digital platform set up by Musika Bulegoa.

The EHMBE Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Javier Corral ‘Jerry’.