Basque literature

Culture of Basque Country
History History of the Basques
People Basques
Languages Basque Standard Basque Basque dialects Gascon Navarro-Aragonese Erromintxela Aquitanian language Basque surnames History of the Basque language
Traditions Fueros Bertsolaritza Pastoral (theatre of Soule) Beret Mus (card game) Basque dance
Mythology
Cuisine Pincho Txoko Txakoli Basque cider Patxaran Cider house Idiazabal cheese Gateau Basque Rioja (wine) Irouléguy (wine) Espelette pepper Piquillo pepper Marmitako Piperade
Festivals Korrika Basque festivals Olentzero Saint John's Eve Maskarada (carnival of Soule) Herri Urrats Aberri Eguna
Literature
Music and performing arts Basque music
Sport Basque rural sports Basque pelota Basque Country national football team Athletic de Bilbao Real Sociedad CA Osasuna Deportivo Alavés Basque Rugby union Biarritz Olympique Aviron Bayonnais
Symbols Flag Coat of arms Lauburu Laurak Bat Zazpiak Bat Gernikako Arbola Basque stella
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Although the first instances of coherent Basque phrases and sentences go as far back as the San Millán glosses of around 950, the large-scale damage done by periods of great instability and warfare, such as the clan wars of the Middle Ages, the Carlist Wars and the Spanish Civil War, led to the scarcity of written material predating the 16th century.^[1]

The earliest surviving traces of Basque literary activity go back to the 16th century, but significant production does not seem to have set in until the 17th century.^[1] Since the end of the Francoist period in Spain, the formation of a standard language, and the large scale introduction of Basque into the education system consequently increased literary activity. While much of the literature written in Basque remains targeted at the native audience, some works by Basque authors have been translated into other languages, such as Bernardo Atxaga, and achieved global recognition.