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The Basque Book and Album Fair in Durango will recognize groundwork done over the years by hundreds or thousands of anonymous Euskaltzales and will award the prestigious Argizaiola Award to six people, including Jose Ramon Zengotitabengoa, who will receive it representing the Diaspora.  Zengotitabengoa has carried out his work through the Society of Basque Studies in America.  Zorionak to him and to all of the awardees. 

Durango, Bizkaia.   Since 1992, the Durangoko Azoka (Basque Book and Album Fair in Durango) has awarded the “Argizaiola omen-saria.”  The Gerediaga Association wishes to recognize the work done by individuals who were the light in the “dark night.” To date individuals who have received the award have been in various disciplines: writers, journalists, musicians, researchers, professors etc.  This year marks the 25th year of the award.

Many of the awardees, so far, have been very well-known, and others only in their area.  But without a doubt they include people who have worked tirelessly and in anonymity, and whose names have gone unnoticed.

The Basque culture has also progressed thanks to the work of these “ants,” who have worked in the shadows, investing thousands of hours, in cultural associations, in gau eskolask, euskal etxeas, publishing Books, magazines, journals, putting up posters, encouraging and supporting the environment around them, etc.

This is why this year’s Argizaiola, awarded annually at the Durangoko Azoka is dedicated to everyone who has worked like an “ant.” This year’s awardees include:

Jose Ramon Zengotitabengoa (Diaspora)

Born in Zaldibar, Bizkaia in 1938, growing up in Abadiño, he left for the US at a young age and worked as a businessman in Chicago, IL.  He was the promoter and key figure along with Emilia Doyaga, Irene, Andoni and AnnaMari Aguirre, of the Society for Basque Studies in America.        

In 1984, he supported the exhibit of Basterretxea, Mendiburu and Larrea in the US.  And later supported the Basque Sheepherders’ Monument, and the Amerikanoak Trainera project.  He was also a member of the Reno Nevada Center for Basque Studies’ Advisory Board, as well as NABO.

Kepa Mendia Landa (Araba)

Born in Gasteiz in 1952, in a family that didn’t speak Basque.  His family created the “Optica Landa” in the 19th century.  From 1969 to 1973 he studied in Madrid and there he learn Basque and began to feel like a Euskaltzale.  After studying optics, he studied economics and later Basque philology in Gasteiz.  He also worked with the literacy group “Joan Bautista Gamiz.”  In 1977, this group joined AEK.  In the following years, Kepa Mendia participated in several events of this nature.

He has also worked in the field of advertising, also boosting that in Basque.  In 1984 he took over the Optica Mendia, and also promoted the use of Euskera in businesses from there.

Justo Alberdi Artetxe (Bizkaia)

Born in Iurreta in 1945.  Administrator by profession, he participated in several groups at a young age: Herri Gaztedi, Gerediaga, the Mikel Deuna, and Iurretako Jai Batzordea, dance groups, etc.  In 1967, he participated in the creation of the Iurreta Ikastola and for many years he was a member of its board of directors.

Member of the literacy movement and Euskaldunization.  Professor at gau eskolas in Iurreta, member of AEK and coordinator of the Durangaldea.  Promoter of bertsolarism, and member of the first bertso-eskola in Iurreta.

Jaime Albillos Arnaiz (Gipuzkoa)

Born in Donostia in 1931.  He studied engineering and is a professor of industrial design by profession.  He was a member of the Goizaldi dancers in the 50s and 60s.  He was a dance professor and had other responsibilities in both groups.

He also conducted research on Basque folklore and in the 60s filmed dances and traditions all over Euskal Herria.  He has also researched heraldry, flags and Basque symbols.

Patxika Erramuzpe (Ipar Euskal Herria)

Patxika Erramuzpe has published several poems in collective works.  She lives in Angelu and in the 60s was part of the Basque cultural movement in Iparralde.

In that decade she traveled the country as a singer.  In 1971 and 1972 she participated in "Zapiribai" along with Benito Lertxundi, Xabier Lete, Pantxoa eta Peio, etc.  Between 1976 and 1979 she published two albums.

She also participated in the album “Kantuz kantu" in support of Seaska.  These songs were a lot of help in the creation of Ikastolas in northern Euskal Herria, since there was not much children’s material available.

Carmen Belaza (Nafarroa)

Born in Iruñea in 1950, she began her theater career at the age of 16, and has remained on stage until now.  She has been a member of groups like "Amadis de Gaula,” participating in theater that is celebrated every two years in the town of Obanos, “The Mystery of Obanos,” as actress and organizer.

Her commitment to the Basque culture has let her to engage in the popular movement in her Arrotxapea neighbourhood in Iruña-Pamlona.  She doesn’t speak Basque, but has worked in favor of the language as one of the creators of an Ikastola in 1976, and by bringing her children up in this language.