euskalkultura.eus

The club was established in December of 2014, and a year later, in December 2015, was recognized by the Basque Government.  They emerged with the support of Gure Irratia, and the Bordeaux Basque club as well as the Zortzi Probintizak Association. The Club made its objectives and plans public today in writing, inviting Basques and others interested in the Basque culture in the Marseille area to get involved. 

Marseille, France.  This is EuskalKultura.com's translated version from Basque, of the letter that was published by the Marseille Euskal Etxea:

It isn’t often that Basques feel the need to maintain ties with the homeland.  But, with the passing of time, we have decided that playing pelota in the city is not enough to live our Basqueness fully.  Responding to this need, we gathered and we took the step, with the support of Gure Irratia, Bordeleko Euskal Etxea and the 8 Probintziak Association.

The Marseillako Euskal Etxea (MEE) officially emerged on December 3, 2014 on Jaubert Street 138, in hopes of cultivating various aspects of Basque culture and at the end of one year, in December 2015, the Basque Government awarded us the official label of Euskal Etxea, having completed the relevant steps.

Our list of activities is open, but here by way of example, are some of our objectives and fields of action:

• Support the promotion of the Basque Culture and Euskera
• Promote the use of pedagogical tools that allow the development of our culture and traditions in areas such as language, singing, music, dance and games
• Work actively in the heart of the international network of euskal etxeak
• Support knowledge about Euskal Herria in the city of Marseille
• Continue to support solidarity and mutual aid among members and friends of the MEE

This is a summer of the creed or statement by the Marseillako Euskal Etxea.

Until now, we have organized weekly Basque classes on Saturday afternoons, for two hours with 14 students (including 3 kids), thanks to the help of three voluntary teachers.  We have also held activities like Korrika, a talk on Basque immigration in the world, the MUCEM Film Festival, trips to Euskal Herria, celebrated 10 years of 8 Probintziak, as well as collaborated with the “Eguzki Loreak” group in its participation at the Festival in Berre, provided support to Patrice Herlax as the best pelotari in France...

All of these activities to promote our culture and identity in various areas, and manifestations of our innermost Euskaldun commitment.

We want to express our sincere thanks to everyone who has accompanied us on this journey and we welcome anyone who would like to continue on this Basque adventure with us in Marseille.  We want to live Euskera in Marseille

On behalf of the MEE,

Fernando Zabalza, president
Stéphan Laplace, vice-president
Quitterie Thibaudon, treasurer
Christel Poquet, secretary
Edouard Lefebure, Gexan Ahamendaburu, Isabelle Mendy, Louis Bernat