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For another year, the International Day of Euskera left us a multitude of images from various parts of the world where Basque communities gathered to celebrate their language.  This article includes photos and videos from celebrations and activities that took place in Madrid, Valencia, Leipzig, Berlin and Santa Barbara, CA, among others. 

Donostia-San Sebastian.  Basque clubs and the Etxepare Institute lectureships at various universities around the world, once again took the International Day of Euskera beyond the borders of Euskal Herria, again fulfilling the goal set by Eusko Ikaskuntza when it created this celebration in 1948.

Following are some of the photos and videos from events in Europe and the US:

Madrid and Valencia

The Euskal Etxea in Madrid, for example, celebrated a bertso afaria to celebrate Euskera Day, where bertsolaris, that are also club members Aratz Beranoaguirre and Koldo Muñiz sang. At the same time, the festivities paid tribute to the first Basque Government on the 80th anniversary of its constitution, with an exhibition of Sustrai Euskal Dantza in the streets of Madrid.  The Basque club published two videos on its Facebook page on December 4th.

The Valencia Euskaltzaleok Basque Club also celebrated Euskera Day with a series of activities in the Pilar Plaza, with Basque dance lessons, festive claims and a popular hamaiketako.  Photos on its Facebook.

In Germany, with literature and film

This year in Germany there were several activities thanks to the Berlin Basque Club and the lecturers at Leipzig and Frankfurt universities, with the support of Olaso Dorrea Foundation.  For starters, on November 29th German expert, Ingo Niebel, gave a talk entitled, “Gernika und die Deutshcen,” to about 50 students.  On the same day, and the following, in Frankfurt the documentaries Iragan gunea Berlin by Maider Oleaga and Markak Gernika, by Hannot Mintegia were shown.

On December 3rd, writer Rikardo Arregi was in Berlin where he gave reading of his work Lichtblick Kino, in Euskera and German, organized by the euskal etxea.

On December 6th, a group of students from the College of Humanities in Vitoria-Gasteiz visited Leipzig University and participated in a mintzapraktika with Basque students there.  Afterwards they watched the documentary Iragan gunean: Berlin.

Finally, on December 7th, Rikardo Arregi gave a talk entitled, “Sparrows, Trains and Buses: Lizardi in Debe decirse dos veces by Rikardo Arregi,” that was also attended by Etxepare Institute Director, Aizpea Goenaga.

Rome and Bologna

Euskera Eguna also reached Italy where the Associazione Culturale Euskara organized an entire week of activities, the Settimana Basca, a classic Roman December.  The activities lasted several days with a Basque evening and the presentation of the project, a mintzapraktica and a dance to the music of the Basque group Errebal.

On the other hand, the Basque lectureship at the University of Bologna invited writer, Mariasun Landa and translator Roberta Gozzi to give a talk on December 1.  On Saturday, Basque students went to the Veri Plaza to make a toast to Euskera.  More photos here. 

Santa Barbara

In the US, there were also Basque activities for example at the University of California Santa Barbara, where the Basque lectureship organized various activities.  There, students of Basque Studies did presentations on various Basque topics, of their choice, with a lot of participation and interest.  In addition, Maritxu Etcheverry (student) and Rachelle Echeverria did a Basque dance exhibition.  “Both are from Bakersfield and members of the local Basque community, Lecturer Iker Arranz told EuskalKultura.com.  “Afterwards, all the students and spectators were asked to join in.  It was a great time.”

Also, Viola Miglio, Barandiaran Chair presented a book about Basques in the US that she wrote along with historian, Xabier Irujo, from the CBS in Reno.  She also presented the project to create a Basque club at the University of California.  The day concluded with a meal, and it was estimated that some 120 students participated in the day’s activities.  More photos here: Basque Program UCSB.