Julian Iantzi
| Julian Iantzi | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Julian Iantzi Mitxelena November 4, 1967  |
| Occupation | TV presenter |
| Years active | 2001–present |
Julian Iantzi Mitxelena, born in California in 1967, is a famous TV presenter in The Basque Country.
Life
In the 1960s, Iantzi's parents, Angel Iantzi and Txelo Mitxelena, emigrated from Lesaka to The United States, looking for a better lifestyle. They were there about 23 years, thirteen years sheep farming and another ten years on a cattle ranch. Their three children were born in California and they lived in Dixon until they returned to Lesaka. Although the family were making a good living in the USA, two good reasons for returning to Lesaka were that their family was there and the children had to be schooled.
When Iantzi was seven years old, he spoke only English Basque, something that makes him very sensitive to the euskaltzale movement in spreading the use of Basque.
Work in the media
Iantzi's road to TV began when he auditioned for a programme on EITB Euskal Telebista. Later, Canal 4 gave him his first break. Before stepping onto a set he had worked in administration, insurance, and also in the catering sector. He has presented numerous programmes across different television channels, but has undoubtedly become most well-known presenting different shows on EITB such as Basetxea, Begia gose, Sorginen laratza, La flecha amarilla and El conquistador del fin del mundo. In addition, he has also presented programmes about the life of the Basque communities in The United States.
In March 2007, he made the leap to national television, presenting the programme Brainiac, on Cuatro. Later, in the summer of 2008, he presented El muro infernal, the Spanish a version of the successful format Hole in the wall of Fuji TV, on La Sexta.
His last job before returning to EITB was with Antena 3, as a moderator in Vaya par... de tres, a programme guided by María Patiño and Jesús Mariñas.
Later he returned to EITB to present new editions of El conquistador del fin del mundoa show in which the contestants have to deal with the toughest of conditions with the aim of placing a Basque flag atop the lighthouse at the world's end - namely the Faro Les Eclaireurs in Beagle Channel, Ushuaia, Argentina.