As we hear in the anthem, Gernikako Arbola, “Eman ta zabal zazu munduan fruitua.” More than a century after Iparraguirre wrote these lines, its legacy is more alive than ever. Saplings from the oak continue to increase their presence all over the world. Last week, Lehendakari Iñigo Urkullu himself planted the latest sapling at Auschwitz and today the president of the Bizkaian Parliament, Ana Otadui, will do the same with another in Bakio. Over the last 22 years, 66 saplings have been planted. Sydney, Nairobi, Rome, Montevideo, Washington, or Sao Paulo are some of the cities where this symbol of peace and Basque freedom has taken root. Article by Aitziber Atxutegi in Deia.
Aitziber Atxutegi. Just in the month of March, Ana Otadui has presided at the planting of four saplings of this historic tree: on the 14th at the main headquarters of Ertzaintza in Erandio; on the 17th in Naron, Galicia, and on the 18th and the 27th in Zornotza, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Udabarri Dantza Taldea and the Andramari Ikastola. Since 1975, 66 saplings of the Tree of Gernika have been sent to places as far away as Celaya, Mexico; the Basque club in Rosario, Argentina; Montalivet, France; Nairobi, or the Town Hall in La Garriga, in Catalonia. They know that before there have been many more – experts say several hundred – but it is difficult to count since they began being sent in the 19th century. The president affirms that it is a research that they would like to conduct in the future. “We would like to know what our mapamundi is of saplings, where the trees lineage is found,” she said.
The saplings are not delivered indiscriminately. “It has to be an institution, entity, or association that is significant, worthy and that ensures the public interest that brings something to our society,” she explained. They are not sent to individuals, and those making the request need to assure that the tree will be cared for and maintained in a public space. “We can’t forget that it is the most universal symbol of the Basque people, a symbol of our rights and freedoms. Tyen, as a result of the Bombing, Gernika has become also a universal symbol of peace,” Otadui stressed. She never forgets the “respect” that it is given across by everybody in the political spectrum. “It is beloved by all ideologies. All Basque political parties from the PP to the PSE to the Abertzale left. Podemos or the PNV, hold their most important and symbolic events around the Tree of Gernika.”
Many Basque clubs on five continents have a sapling of the tree, like those in San Francisco, Sydney, or Cordoba, Argentina. But also in places who were especially punished by the war, like the Gurs concentration camp in France, as a tribute to Basques imprisoned during the Second World War; in La Garriga in Catalunya, bombed by Italian Aviators during the civil War; or Sartaguda, in Navarre, known as the town of widows by the huge number of those shot during the war. The anniversaries of educational centers, dance associations, or day centers, have also included the planting of a sapling. And not only plantings; on February 3rd, Ana Otadui participated in Oñati in the centennial of the arrival of their sapling.
Once the donation is authorized, (if the plantation is in the Basque Country) the Bizkaian Parliament contacts the recipient to determine the date of the planting as well as a follow-up with Basalan, the public company that is in charge of maintaining and taking care of the saplings in the province, who will let them know when it will be delivered. Basalan usually plants it ahead of time and on the day of the ceremony, some symbolic shovel-fulls of dirt are placed on top. Each sapling is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity singed by the President of the Bizkaian Parliament.
All of the saplings that are spread around the world are also guaranteed to have the same origin as the original Tree of Gernika at the Bizkaian Parliament. Its acorns are gathered, as well as those of its ancestors. Basalan gathers the fruits, approximately 500 a year, and those are sown in a nursery in Txorierri where some 3,000 saplings are kept on reserve. All younger than six years, are moved to provincial forests to continue growing.
“FULLY PRESENT” Ana Otadui recognizes that she is still moved at every request. “It gives me much joy because I see something that has such deep roots in our country, has that relevance. To see that many institutions and associations want to celebrate their most important events by planting a sapling is very gratifying for me,” she admits. “We are fulfilling what Iparragirre said, ‘eman ta zabal zazu.’ We are part of this slogan and we have to continue with this phrase: having the roots of our country but giving fruit over five continents.” She personally tries to attend every planting that she can, accompanied by a representative of the House. “We try to coordinate agendas and secure a date. This is a very solemn event that I participate in with great satisfaction,” she explains. Besides speeches, those attending throw a few shovels of dirt on the new sapling, while Gernikako Arbola is sung, and a plaque is unveiled, the certificate of authenticity is delivered and an Aurresku is performed.
(published on 4-23-2017 in Deia)
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