Born in San Sebastián (Basque Country, Spain), he did not learn the Basque language until the age of 17, but came to be considered one of the most influential figures in Basque nationalism and culture in the second half of the 20th century.
Rođen je u Donostiji i nije naučio baskijski jezik sve do 17 godine, ali se smatra jednim od najutjecajnijih figura baskijskog nacionalizma i kulture u drugoj polovici 20. stoljeća.