euskalkultura.eus

Poznan, Poland. Last week, April 9-11^th, the Basque culture made a big impression on the cultural life in Poznan thanks to the Basque festival organized every year by the students in the Basque language and culture program at the University Adam Mickiewicz, led by lecturer, Amaia Dones Mendia.  Over the last few years, the festival has become a traditional spring event in the city and gathers many youth ready to get to know the Basque culture while having a good time.

This year, the festival was again a huge success and Amaia Dones especially highlights the students’ involvement.  “We are very happy, as every year, because we have once again achieved bringing the Basque culture out of the university and introducing it outside of the classroom. And what I especially like is that it is an event organized by Poles for Poles,” she explained to EuskalKultura.com.

[Students participating in Basque Days 2014 (photo Luiza Stosik-Turek)]

Full House

Dones provided some details on the event: the documentary Gazta zati bat filled the room (100 people) followed by 30 or so signing up for the debate on the film.  The film was shown in Basque with Polish subtitles done by the students themselves.

[During the discussion after the film the Catalan Alfons Gregori I Gomis, lecturer Amaia Dones and Katarzyna Mirgos, Polish expert on Basque culture.  According to Dones, during the hour and a half the experts responded to audience questions (photo Luiza Stosik-Turek)]

The different talks were also very well attended.  “There were done by students, that is, talks by Poles on Basque culture aimed at Poles.  They talked about Ibilaldia, mythology, bertsolaritza...,” said Dones.  The talk on Bertsolaritza was one of the most curious with a session on bertsos in Polish.  Last year this event was also very successful and so it was repeated. 

[Mythology, bertsos, stories…The Polish students tried everything! (photo Luiza Stosik-Turek)]

To conclude the Basque Days 2014, on Friday there was a story telling event with a local group Karwana Opowiesci.  “It was sold out,” said Amaia.  The same happened at the pintxos and wine tasting, that was completely full.

[Tasting pintxos in Poznan (photoLuiza Stosik-Turek]

“Finally, we ended with a party with dancing (a workshop by the Bal Folk group in Poznan) and dinner by a Began group Skad Bierzesa Bialdo,” Amaia concluded.