Donostia-San Sebastian. The 2016 ENE Prize goes to this institution that was created by members of various Basque-Argentine clubs some 112 years ago with the sole purpose of taking care of the educational and well-being of those in its surrounding, and do so with a Basque touch in the tradition of its founders. Its slogan was "Jaungoikoa, Sorterria eta Lana" (God, Homeland and Work) that also is part of its statutes that is also engraved in stone, at its headquarters.
With sites in Llavallol and Buenos Aires, thousands of students take classes including those in Basque laguage and culture, at an institution that also includes a senior center for both Basques and Argentineans, also following in the same sense, mandated by its statutes, and whose elaboration and function includes representatives from all seven Basque provinces, through the Laurak Bat Basque Club, the Centro Navarro and the French Basque Club in the capital.
According to Eusko Ikaskuntza in a note published announcing this year’s prize winner, the award recognizes the work of this entity towards the dissemination of Euskera and Basque culture since 1904. The Euskal Echea is actually recognized as a Basque club by the Basque Government and over its 112 years of activity continues to provide assistance at its base as the Basque-Argentine institution that it is.
Even if the culture and Basque signs have always been present in the reality of Euskal Echea, the entity began a new project in 2007 giving Basque and the Basque culture a special impulse that has only grown since then, with classes in Eusekra and the Basque culture taught at high school as a subject in the regular curriculum and school program.
Besides the classes that it teaches throughout the year, they also celebrate, among other activities, Korrika, they teach music and dance, they have Basque choirs and annually organize a children’s gathering at Basque clubs in Argentina…and of course, they celebrate the International Day of Euskera. They also use Basque signage in their halls, rooms, and classrooms, so names like Jai Alai,” "Gernika," or "Guretzat” are on their walls, according to the note from Eusko Ikaskuntza.
XI. Edition of the ENE Prize
Eusko Ikaskuntza began awarding the ENE Prize in 2006 to recognize work done by institutions abroad in favor of Euskera and the Basque culture, giving such entities visibility and providing momentum to continue. The award include a reproduction of the initials ENE designed by Nestor Basterretxea. It will be awarded at a public event TBA.
The International Day of Euskera (Euskararen Nazioarteko Eguna, ENE) was instituted in 1949 by Eusko Ikaskuntza to proclaim the universality of Euskera. This occurred on, December 3, 1948, the feast of San Francisco Javier, at the Eusko Ikaskuntza conference celebrated in Baiona. Then, it was decided to declare that day, December 3rd to proclaim the universality of the language.
Awardees to date:
2016: Euskal Echea Asociación Cultural y de Beneficencia (Argentina)
2015: Associazione Culturale Euskara. Roma (Italy)
2014: Gernika Deusch - Baskischer Kulturverein. Berlín (Germany)
2013: Euskaltzaleak - Escuela de Lengua Vasca. Buenos Aires (Argentina)
2012: Unión Vasca. Bahía Blanca (Argentina)
2011: Hogar Vasco - Euskal Etxea. Madrid (Spain)
2010: Sustraiak - Erroak Elkartea. Paris (France)
2009: The North American Basque Organizations Incorporated (USA)
2008: Eskualdunen Biltzarra - Association des Basques. Bordeaux (France)
2007: Bartzelonako Euskal Etxea. Barcelona (Catalonia)
2006: Artaburu Euskaltzale Elkartea. Mar del Plata (Argentina)
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