Xabi Solano presents ‘Bi mundu’, a song inspired in cultural bonds

Xabi Solano presents ´Bi mundu´, a song inspired in the collision of cultures and the first circumnavigation of the globe by Elkano. The song, a hymn to cultural diversity from the Basque language and Euskal Herria, is the fruit of the artist´s collaboration with the Elkano Foundation and the Etxepare Basque Institute.

To compose ´Mi mundu´, Solano visited Cabo Verde, where he was in contact with musicians Tressa, Solange, and Pascoal Fernandes, the last player of the cimboa – a stringed instrument made from turtle shell.  The ferrinho and the cavaquinho, traditional Cape Verdean instruments, are fused with Solano´s trikitixa accordion and tambourine, in a song with a long list of local collaborators: Arkaitz Miner, Txus Aranburu, Ander San José, Iñigo Egia, Aitor Zabaleta, and the band Moonshine Wagon, among others. The final mix was done at the Los Angeles-based studio of music producer Rafa Sardina – a Biscayan with 18 Grammys under his belt.

Xabi Solano presented the song at the Basque Maritime Museum in Donostia, accompanied by Elkano Foundation director, Ion Irurzun, and Irene Larraza, director of the Etxepare Basque Institute.

Irene Larraza highlighted the Elkano Foundation’s work in shining a spotlight on our history, very much in line with the Etxepare Basque Institute’s aim of making the Basque language and culture known around the world: "So far we’ve taken part in two cultural projects with the Elkano Foundation, focusing, among others, on intercultural coexistence. First, by translating the book ´Munduari bira eman zion ontzia´ by Joseba Sarrionandia into other languages, so that it can also be read outside the Basque Country, and now by supporting the international dimension of the song created by Xabi Solano. We believe that culture is the most enriching way of making ourselves and others known, and our creative talent are the best ambassadors. The song presented today is witness to this, as it brings two worlds, or more, into one, through music".

The song is available on Spotify and Youtube.