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Donostia-San Sebastian.  The Etxepare Basque Institute presented its most recent publications yesterday: two that begin the Euskal Antologia Saila (Basque Anthology Series) and another one that is part of the Euskal Sortzaileak Collection (Basque Creators).

The presentation was attended by the director of the Etxepare Basque Institute, Aizpea Goenaga, Mari Jose Olaziregi, director for the Promotion and Diffusion of Euskera and the Institute’s publications, the anthologist Jone Arroitajauregi, writers Enkari Genua and Juan Kruz Igerabide and Arantzazu Royo, translator and technical secretary of EIZIE (the Basque Association of Translators).

Narrative and Children’s Literature

The collection Euskal Antologiak Saila, whose goal is to make Basque literature known in the world, starts with two anthologies, one of narrative by Mikel Ayerbe, and the other of children's and youth literature by Jone Arroitajauregi.  The collection will be completed with two more volumes: a poetry anthology compiled by Lourdes Otaegi and oral literature gathered by Xabi Paya.

In regards to the Contemporary Basque Narrative anthology Mike Ayerbe has included 25 Basque narrators.  The book, which is available in three languages, includes the bibliographic profile of each author, prizes awarded, translations, a brief introduction to author’s literary characters, and a sample of his/her texts.

Download it here.

In regards to the Children and Youth Literature Today the work includes 12 authors, all of which date from the 70s and later.  The hope was to highlight Basque children’s and youth literature as well as the importance of these Basque authors on the international scene.  The specific weight of this literature was also stressed in the presentation: in 2011 28% of books published in Basque were of children’s and youth literature, while adult literature came in only at 13%.

Download it here.

Katu jendea

 Finally, the Etxepare Basque Institute presented Katu jendea yesterday by Eider Rodriguez. Katu jendea has become the third title in the Euskal Sortzaileak collection, after Borrokaria by Bernardo Atxaga and Non omnis moriar by Anjel Lertxundi.  All of these have been published in Basque, Spanish and English.  The translations are the fruit of the “Writer and his/her translators” workshop organized by EIZIE with support of the Institute and the collaboration of the University of Pau (UPPA).

Download it here.

Basque Poets in Dublin

The Etxepare Basque Institute also took advantage of the press conference to announce some of its upcoming activities.  The first will take place at the end of the month with Basque poetry presentations in Ireland.  The authors, Itxaro Borda, Leire Bilbao, and Castillo Suarez will travel to Dublin as they have already been chosen for the anthology entitled Forked Tongues, edited by Manuel Palacios (along with Miren Agur Meabe, that isn’t able to attend).  They will present the book and participate in a series of activities in the Cervantes Institute in Dublin and at the University of Cork Library.

In the spring, Basque literature will be featured in Madrid with a program dedicated to Bernardo Atxaga in Passaporta with the participation of Kirmen Uribe, as well as other prominent festivals in places like Brooklyn, NY and two cities in Argentina.