Linguae Navarrorum Museum

Fermin Muguruza's song "Linguae Navarrorum Museum" offers a satirical and critical perspective on the commodification of culture and language. The lyrics welcome listeners to a museum project that seems to be more of a theme park than a genuine cultural preservation effort. The use of the Basque language, Euskara, in a fictional setting like Atlantis, and the repurposing of an old nuclear power plant in Lemoiz, underscores the absurdity and artificiality of the endeavor. The song critiques how public funds are used for such projects, which are often more about tourism and profit than authentic cultural preservation.

The song's imagery is rich with metaphors that highlight the superficiality of the project. References to famous chefs, cultural icons, and sports figures suggest that the museum is more about celebrity and spectacle than substance. The mention of virtual crossroads, intellectual adventures, cyber experiences, and interactive activities points to a hyper-real, almost dystopian experience that lacks genuine human connection. The globalized smiles of the hostesses and the prohibition of physical touch further emphasize the artificiality and detachment from reality.

Muguruza also touches on the ethical implications of such projects. The idea of humans being part of a new zoo concept, living in their environment with the permission of human societies, is a stark commentary on how indigenous cultures and languages are often treated as exhibits rather than living, evolving entities. The song's repeated welcome, "Ongi etorriak! harrera," becomes increasingly ironic as it contrasts with the underlying critique of cultural exploitation and the superficial nature of such endeavors. The song ultimately calls for a more respectful and genuine approach to cultural preservation, one that goes beyond mere spectacle and profit.