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Entitled, “Etxetik at.Euskal Diaspora,” (Away from home, the Basque Diaspora) the exhibit leads up to the European Heritage Conference, organized by the Provincial Government of Bizkaia that will be held in October.  The exhiit will be inaurated today at 6pm at the Museum that is celebrating its 20^th anniversary. 

Gernika, Bizkaia.   According to a note from the Provincial Government, the exhibit hopes to provide “a panoramic visit of the migration through some 100 objects: paintings, maps, documents, audiovisual materials, photography…that take us down roads and through the chores of the Basques around the world.”

Materials exhibited are from the Museum itself along with donations from families in the area who have preserved memories of their passage through the tremendous adventure that is leaving home and facing a new reality.

The condition of the crossing point between the Iberian Peninsula and the European Continent, as well as the presence of the sea and their entrepreneurship, have facilitated the Basques mobility throughout the centuries.  Classic texts include the Basque presence in various regions of the Roman Empire.  Trade and fisheries led many of them around the world, across the sea, as merchants in northern Europe and in Seville, much like the cod fishermen and whalers in Newfoundland and Iceland.  They also played a role in the formation of modern states, as soldiers, writers, and lawyers in the courts of the Hapsburgs and the Church.

After the discovery of the New World, the Basques played an important role, as they relate as equals to European powers of the time, but always at the service of the Church, the Crown of Castile, or the King of France: conquistadors in Mexico and Peru, corsairs in the Caribbean or the Mediterranean, Missionaries in South East Asia, sailors in the Pacific…The list of Basques in the world is endless: from Juan Sebastian Elcano, who was the first to circumnavigate the globe, to Catalina de Erauso, an adventurous nun who served as a second lieutenant, disguised as a man.  In the 19^th Century the beginning of the modern Diaspora took place: thousands of Basques would seek a new life fleeing poverty, wars, or seeking new adventures on other continents.

The sample is taken from the whole, in such a way that all aspects are not fully reflected, but several figures and objects exemplify the theme.

The theme, supported by certain figures, give us hints about the discoveries, in the case of Elcano, the service work in administration, as in the case of Lersundi, businessman, industry, sports (Jai-Alai), religion, symbols….

The exhibit is a lead-up to the European Heritage Conference, organized by the Provincial Government of Bizkaia, that will be held in October.

The exhibit will open today at 6pm with a short visit as a way of introduction.

 (More information by calling:  946 25 54 51 or via email: euskalherriamuseoa@bizkaia.eus)

GENERAL MUSEUM INFORMATION

Hours:

• Tuesday-Saturday: 10:00 to 14:00 and 16:00 and 19:00.
• Sundays: 10:30 a 14:30.
• Holidays: 10:30 a 14:30 y 16:00 a 19:30.
• Mondays: Closed except for the last Monday in October

Summer Hours:

• Tuesday-Saturday: 10:00 to 14:00 and 16:00 and 19:00.
• Sundays and Mondays: 10:30 a 14:30.
• Holidays: 10:30 a 14:30 y 16:00 a 19:30

Admission

• Normal: 3 €
• Discounted 1,50 €
• Saturdays are free

EUSKAL HERRIA MUSEOA
http://bizkaikoa.bizkaia.net/euskalherriamuseoa
Allende Salazar Kalea
48300 Gernika-Lumo
Tfno. +34 946 25 54 51 - Fax. +34 946 25 74 15