N¼ 48 Year 2000
Declaration of Gernika
“An ethical engagement in defense of the right to life and of the freedom of all persons” AURKIBIDEA / SUMMARY
Page 2 Aurkibidea / Summary EUSKAL ETXEAK Page 3 The institutional Declaration of Gernika Pages 4-5 Euskobarometer Argitaratzailea / Editor: Pages 6-8 Euskadi in figures Eusko Jaurlaritza Kanpo Harremanetarako Pages 8-9 News from good fellowship and solidarity Idazkaritza Nagusia Pages 10-11 Konekta zaitez, Basque citizenship on-line General Secretary of Foreign Action of the Basque Government C/ Navarra, 2 01007 Vitoria-Gasteiz Telephone: 945-01 79 00 [mail to: [email protected]]
Zuzendaritza / Director Josu Legarreta
Koordinazioa, idazteko lana eta diseinua Coordination, writing and design Nekane Lauzirika
Azalaren argazkia In the picture, the Zabalaga Chillida Museum in Hernani. Cover photograph Jon Bernárdez Pages 12-13 Interview with Mikel Burzako, Director of Cooperation Pages 14-15 Josu Jon Imaz presents Euskadi’s tourist offers in the USA Argazkiak Photographs Pages 16-17 A project for peace and good fellowship Pages 18-21 2nd International Congress of Basque Centers J. L. Bilbao Nekane Lauzirika Page 22 HABE in Argentina, Chile, Uruguay…… Jon Bernárdez Page 23 Upeletan erronka. Txalaparta meets success in the USA Kolaboratzaileak Assistants Page 24 Radio Euskadi in the Internet Benan Oregi Page 27 Weekly news Nerea Garai subscriptions Jon Maya F.J. Zinkunegi Pages 28-29 News from the Basque Centers Inprimatzailea / Printing: Page 30 Josu Jon Imaz’s Flash Composition, S.L., visit to the Alda. Rekalde, n¼ 6 Brooklyn Euskal 48009 BILBAO Etxea Euskal Etxea Lege Gordailua / Legal Deposit: Subscription BI-841-96 Bulletin Page 31 Economic, NOTICE financial and Il you wish to get a business news subscription on the Page 32 Institutional act in magazine, you can do so by favor of peace at A book on the Euskal Etxea in Bahía Blanca, electronic or traditional mail, the Foral Town of published for its hundredth anniversary. filling the form in page 30. Gernika
2 GERNIKAKO DEKLARAZIOA/DECLARATION OF GERNIKA "Bizitzeko eskubidea eta pertsona guztien askatasunak defendatzeko konpromiso etiko bat" In all respect of the spirit and principles of the “Universal Declaration of Human Rights”, and in order to declare our deepest rejection of violence and our engagement with the defence of personal freedoms before the representatives of our People gathered in Gernika, next to the Tree which is for us the symbol of Peace, freedom and tolerance, in my position of Lehendakari and expressing the clamorous feeling of Basque society, I wish to solemnly formulate the following Ethi- cal Declaration in favor of the right to life and of the freedom of all persons. GATHERED IN GERNIKA, symbol of Peace and EGOERA GUZTI HORIEN AURREAN, euskaldunon- Freedom for the Basques, as Lehendakari of Basque society tzat Bake eta Askatasunaren sinboloa den Gernikan bildurik, and representing it, I wish to solemnly proclaim: euskal gizartearen Lehendakari eta bere ordezkari gisa, modu First. Our engagement with the defence of the right to life solemnean aldarrikatu nahi dut: and of the freedoms of all persons, as fun- Lehena. Gure konpromisoa, elkarbi- damental principles of social coexistence zitza sozialaren oinarriak diren bizitzara- and, consequently, our rejection of all ko eskubide eta pertsona guztien askata- kinds of violence. The respect due to the sunen defentsarekin eta, ondorioz, edono- rights of all human beings to their physi- lako indarkeriaren gaitzespena. Gizaba- cal and moral integrity and to their free- nako guztien eskubide bortxa ezinak, bere dom to express themselves, constitute the osotasun fisiko eta morala eta bere adie- only firm base on which a truly human razpen askatasuna errespetatzea, oinarri coexistence and any legitimate political sendo bakarra da benetako giza bizikide- project, can be established. tza eta zilegi diren egitasmo politiko guz- Second. Our engagement with the tiak ezartzeko. defence and guarantee of the exercise of Bigarrena. Gure konpromisoa, gure the rights and freedoms of each and every hirikide guztien eskubide eta askatasunen Basque citizen. erabilpena defendatu eta bermatzeko. As- Freedom to live without the menace katasuna, koakzio, jazarpen eta hilketaren of coercion, persecution and murder, so mehatxurik gabe bizitzeko, euskal hiritar that all Basque citizens with no excep- guzti-guztiei, inolako salbuespenik gabe, tion, find guaranteed in our so- pertsona bezala dagozkien giza- ciety all the human rights they eskubide guztien erabilpena gu- are entitled to as persons. Free- “Every human being has a right to life, re gizartean berma dakien. As- dom also for all ideas. The freedom and safety” katasuna ere, ideietarako, ideia rd freedom to chose, to think and (3 Article, Universal Declaration of Human Rights) guztietarako. Aukera askatasu- to decide without impositions na, pentsatzeko askatasuna, or blackmail. Freedom so that all projects can be defended hautatzeko askatasuna eta erabakitzeko askatasuna, inposa- and, if that be the case, carried out, only and exclusively by keta eta txantajerik gabe. Askatasuna, egitasmo guztiak defen- political and democratic means. datu eta, hala balegokie, gauzatu ahal izateko, bakarrik bide Third. Our engagement with active solidarity and ethi- politiko eta demokratikoak erabiliz. cal, political, social and material acknowledgement of all Hirugarrena. Gure konpromisoa, indarkeria, intoleran- persons who have suffered and are still suffering the conse- tzia eta terrorismoaren ondorioak, bere azalpen guztietan, su- quences of violence, intolerance and terrorism, in any of fritu eta sufritzen dituzten pertsona guztiei elkartasun aktiboa their manifestations. The solidarity and closeness with the eta begiramen etiko, politiko, sozial eta materiala azaltzeko. victims is an undeniable social duty, and a necessary conse- Biktimei elkartasun eta hurbiltasuna adieraztea, gizartearen quence of the human dignity which we are absolutely deter- ezinbesteko bete beharra da, ausardi osoz defendatu nahi du- mined to defend. gun giza duintasunaren halabeharrezko ondorioa delako. Fourth. Our engagement with the development not only Laugarrena. Gure konpromisoa, pertsonen askatasun eta of the legitimate means of a democratic state to defend the seguritatea defendatzeko zuzenbidezko estatu batek zilegitasu- freedom and safety of the people, but also with the develop- nez bere esku dituen neurriez gain, indarkeriari elkarrizketa- ment of any project which could contribute to create the ne- ren bidez bukaera emateko, normalizazio politikoa lortzeko cessary conditions to achieve the end of violence through eta gure gizartea adiskidetzeko behar diren baldintzak sor di- dialogue, the political coexistence and the reconciliation in tzakeen ekimen guztiak aurrera eramateko. the heart of our society. Bosgarrena. Gure konpromisoa, elkarrizketa eta indar- Fifth. Our engagement with dialogue and non-violence. keriarik ezarekin. Euskal gizarteak ez diolako inori eskatzen For Basque society does not ask anybody to give up their bere ideiei uko egiterik; politika eta demokrazia soilik erabiliz ideas, it demands that they defend them only and exclusively defendatzea exijitzen dio. through politics and democracy. Seigarrena. Gure konpromisoa, mundu osoari Gernikako Sixth. Our engagement to spread and broadcast this De- Deklarazio hau zabaldu eta jakin arazteko, horrela, Euskal claration of Gernika to the whole world, so that the true fee- Herriaren benetako sentiera mundu osoan ezagutu dadin. lings of the Basque People become universally known. This Hau da, Herri ireki eta solidarioa, bere historian zehar Bake, is an open and solidary People who has proved along its his- Askatasun, Justizia eta Giza Duintasunaren aldeko konpromi- tory its firm engagement in favor of Peace, Freedom, Justice so sendoa azaldu duena. and Human Dignity. Juan José Ibarretxe Markuartu, Lehendakari Gernika, December 20, 2000
3 EUSKOBAROMETER: FIGURES AND COMMENTS
THETHE EUSKADIEUSKADI THATTHAT BREATHESBREATHES ACTIVITYACTIVITY ANDAND SOLIDARITYSOLIDARITY June 2000 EUSKOBAROMETER Nerea Garai Vote estimation position, having also lost Gi- In the event of hypothetical autonomic elections in puzkoa. Euskadi, according to the June Euskobarometer, the elec- Eusko Alkartasuna-EA Euskal herritarren toral results in the Basque Autonomous Community could loose a seat in Gipuz- %85 ez dago would be as follows: koa, while Izquierda Unida Euskadi uzteko The Basque Nationalist Party (United Left) (IU), could prest, ezta beste ÐPNV would obtain the same majo- recover it in this territory. inon lan eta bizi The Basque rity it has at present, closely follo- Unidad Alavesa (Alavan wed by the Popular PartyÐ PP, the Unity) (UA) would loose baldintza berdinak citizens give low only party that improves its votes one of its two seats. Accor- qualifications to eskainiko the Spanish and seats. These are the two main ding to the figures of the balizkiete ere Parliament, estimations if autonomic elec- Euskobarometer, the par- Justice, the tions were to take place in Eus- ticipation in the hypothe- kadi. The estimations are based tical elections would be around 70%. Political Parties, on the direct intention of vote, the Security Forces plus the liking and a projection They prefer the present legislature to go on of the State and the Army of vote of 9% of occult inten- until its time is up tion and 9% of interviewed 68% of those who were asked prefer Lehendakari Iba- who had not made up their minds, and rretxe to finish the present legislature, and 33% would calculated on different political indicators taken from the rather have immediate elections. The first option wins in spring Euskobarometer. all electorates, from the minimum 42% of UA voters to According to the conclusions obtained last June, there the maximum 87% among PNV voters. would be a virtual draw between nationalists and non- Among those who want immediate elections, only the nationalists. Therefore, only a mixed coalition of nationa- voters of the opposition parties surpass the sample average: lists and non-nationalists would provide stability for the 42% of UA voters, 40% of PP voters, 33% of PSE-EE future of the Basque Government. voters and 27% of IU voters. In relation to historic territories, PNV would win in Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa, whereas PP would win in Araba. Optimism and positive assessment of economy The Socialist Party of Euskadi-Euskadiko Ezkerra (PSE- The Euskobarometer indicates that optimism is still EE) would obtain the same results as in the last election, strong: 7 of every 10 interviewed declare that last year has recovering the third position. As for Euskal Herritarrok- been a good one in personal matters, the same rate declare EH, they would loose three seats, and move back to fourth that in 10 years Euskadi will be a better place. Therefore, it is not surprising to find that 85% would not leave the country, even in the event that they would be offered the EVOLUTION OF THE PROBLEM OF VIOLENCE DURING THE LAST YEAR same life and work conditions elsewhere.
ITSIGUE IS THE IGUAL SAME 19%19% (+7) (+7) Violence: the impact of the end of the cease-fire According to public opinion, if the cease-fire meant in last Euskobarometer, when the armed actions of ETA star- ted again, that 83% declared that matter had improved, now 64% believe it is now worse. ITHA HAS MEJORADO IMPROVED The most relevant information is that for the first time 17%17% (-68) (-68) the interviewed perceive massively that the tension deve- ITHA IS EMPEORADO WORSE 64% (+59)64% (+59) loped in the relations between the political parties since two years ago is increasingly provoking social strain. Last
4 EUSKOBAROMETROA: ZIFRAK ETA AZALPENAK
Basque SOCIOMETER, Autumn 2000
year only 4 of every 10 interviewed shared this opinion, Spanish State, terrorism has become at present the most whereas now nearly 8 of every 10 agree with it. The main important problem for Basque citizens, and the worry reasons for this are, according to them, the lack of agree- about this problem has become the dominant feeling ment between the Basque nationalist forces and the state when talking about the peace process, as opposed to the parties (45%) and the Spanish Government resistance to high position occupied by hope in ’99, during the cease- change (35%). fire. The self-government institutions and the local institu- The opinion in relation to political parties and prac- tions get the best qualifications: the County Councils tically all leaders has worsened, and Lehendakari Iba- (5.8), the Basque Parliament (5.8), the Ertzaintza (5.7), rretxe is still the most valued political leader. Satisfac- the City Councils (5.7), the European Union (5.1) and the tion in relation to Basque Administrations is however Unions (5.1) are the only institutions which pass. Those still high. 89% of the population feel Basque, and in who fail, according to Basque men and women are the half of it the feeling of being Basque is stronger than Spanish Parliament (4.5), Justice (4.2), that of feeling Spanish. 29% disagree with independence the political parties (4.1), NATO (3.8) and 24% agree with it. Most of the Euskalduns and the Bake prosesua the security forces of the State (3.7) voters of nationalist parties believe that Euskadi is Euskadin: and the Army (3.5). formed by Bizkaia, Gipuzkoa, Araba, Nabarra and Ipa- herritarrak There is still a pervasive sense of rralde, and that it must have the option to decide about itxaropenetik satisfaction in relation to city coun- its independence. etsipenera cils (71%), the county councils (69%) and the Basque Government Progressing in life (64%), and of lack of satisfaction in relation The Basque population gives itself a qualification in to the central Government (52%). The satisfaction in relation to the social level, of barely pass. Personal efforts regard to the Basque Government increases in small are valued (48%), and although half the population believe towns and among the voters of PNV and EA, and the that poverty exists because society is unjust, 27% believe satisfaction with the Central Government increases in the it is inevitable. However, 52% of the Basque men and capitals and among the voters of PP. women believe that it is necessary to achieve a deep social transformation in order to banish poverty. The present Terrorism, the main problem situation of the Basque Country does not reach the passing In relation to preceding periods, terrorism becomes the scores, an in fact these scores have considerably decreased main problem of the Basque Country (65%), surpassing since the beginning of the year, as has optimism in rela- unemployment (45%), which takes now the second posi- tion to the future expectations. tion. Interest in politics seems to be lower than in previous To sum up, half the Basque population believe our surveys, as well as the goal of independence. Political society is not fair and that a deep social transformation is liking decrease generally, as well as the qualifications necessary, although the social issues are not considered of given to the main political leaders. EH and Arnaldo Otegi the first importance in this moment. get especially low scores. As for the peace process, if in APPRAISAL OF BASQUE AND SPANISH POLITICAL SITUATION May’99 the main BASQUE SPANISH sensations were
hope and worry, in WON’TNS/NC ANSWER (5%) (+2) 5% (+2) that order, at pre- AVERAGEREGULAR 29%29% (-13) sent worry is REGULARAVERAGE (30%) stronger and so is (-16)(30%) (-16) NoNo Nac. Nac. == 39% disappointment. GOODBUENA (31%) Hope and optimism (+3)(31%) (+3) have become BADMALA BUENAGOOD 9% (-17) clearly minority 61%61% (+34) (+34)
feelings now. As it WON’TNS/NC 1% ANSWER (-4) Nac. = 39% has happened in the 1% (-4) BAD (34%) (+11)
5 EUSKADI, AN INNOVATOR SOCIETY, AN EXPANDING COUNTRY
INDUSTRIAL AND EXPORTS CATALOGUE OF THE BASQUE COUNTRY. EDITION 2000
and 90,000 between January becomes an access door to the contents -October 2000. There has each of them have in their WEB. also been a substantial in- In this occasion the CD-rom includes crease in visitors: 630,000 with the Catalogue a report on the econo- consultations in 1999, and mic situation of our country, under the more than a million this title “EUSKADI, AN EXPANDING year up till the moment. COUNTRY”. This presentation offers an .Ð During these two overall view of our economy, our industry years there have been more and its orientation towards technology and than 1.200 messages sent innovation, towards quality and interna- by the companies through tionalization. the Internet. The CD-rom becomes a calling card This consolidation of for our companies and our economic the Catalogue as a promo- situation. AN EXPANDING ECONOMY, AN INNOVATOR SOCIETY. ting tool is based mainly in 28.000 issues of the Catalogue in CD- two factors: rom will be distributed this way: 12.000 1.Ð In the collaboration among companies in Euskadi, the State The edition of the Industrial and between the Industry, Commerce and Tou- and institutions for economic promotion. Exports Catalogue of the Basque Country rism Department and the three Basque 16.000 issues will be sent on request to corresponding to year 2000, includes Chambers of Commerce the hot-line telephone line 902 160 334 6.500 industrial, advanced services and 2.Ð In the selection of significant and to the web address (www.euska- export companies. Since 1996 this publi- information of each company entered in di.net/kat_ind/indice_c.htm) and the e- cation is distributed both in CD-rom and the Catalogue, in order to describe the mail [email protected]. Issues can also be in the Internet, through Euskadi.net. Basque industrial tissue and in the upda- obtained in the three Territorial Offices of Information about the companies is ting of this information which is incorpo- the Department, in the three Chambers of available in Euskera, Spanish, English, rated every three months in the Internet. Commerce and in SPRI. French and German, and it includes iden- We must remember, for it is impor- However, it is convenient to remem- tifying information of the companies, tant, that the Internet address of the com- ber the presence of the Catalogue in the their location, activities and products, as panies is included in the information Internet, so that from the WEB anybody well as about the prizes they have been about them and, therefore the Catalogue can download the Catalogue to their PC. awarded, their quality certificates and export activities, both regarding the exported products and the export destina- tion markets and foreign influence. The Catalogue has consolidated through its different editions as a useful tool for the diffusion of Basque compa- nies, both in our country and abroad. The following data encourage us to persist in the improvement of this tool: .Ð Each and every edition of the Cata- logue was sold out. On the whole, since 1996 100,000 issues have been distributed in diskette or CD-rom. .Ð There has been a gradual increase of consultations to the Catalogue through the Internet; there were 45.000 in 1999
The Basques, pioneers in social advances
THE FIGURES of industrial produce increase, the case of organ donation or the destination of expansion of the services sector of a country or 0.7% of our budget for the under-developed coun- those of the growth of riches amount to practically tries. But all this would only amount to figures and nothing if they are not followed by a true revolution statistic charts if it was not based on ideals of gene- of social advances: social letter, care of the elderly, rosity, solidarity and respect, which are so preva- the children and those in need, equality for women, lent among our people, such as the Lehendakari healthcare, and quality education for all, solidarity expresses, as we have sometimes recorded here. with the persons and peoples in need… in many of There is room for everybody in this innovative and these fields Euskadi has been pioneer and is the expanding Euskadi, respectful and solidary, presen- leader of the State and even internationally. Such is ted by Lehendakari Ibarretxe.
6 EUSKADI, GIZARTE BERRITZAILEA, HEDATZEN ARI DEN HERRIA
ZUZENEAN, ATTENTION SERVICE FOR BASQUE CITIZENS All in one window
The citizen attention service Zuzenean intends to be the The future of Zuzenean is to grow further and provide a most immediate and complete communication means between level of contents that will enable it to interact with a specific the citizens and the General Administration of the Autono- service of a Department, so as to provide all information in mous Community of Euskadi, the means to “know at any time only one window. the state of the transaction of their procedures and identify the Interaction systems authorities and the administration staff who are dealing with Zuzenean must be able to provide the information reques- him”. ted by the citizens regardless of the way the requests have During the last few years the Government has launched reached the General Administration of the Autonomous Com- several projects in order to help the citizens have a more precise munity of Euskadi: mail, fax, telephone (the access code 012 is and clear knowledge of the organisation, services and jurisdic- reserved for the citizen attention service of the Autonomous tion each of the organs that form the Government provide. Communities, and as it is considered a service of public inte- Finally, on June 29, 1999, the Government Council passed the rest, each autonomous community can organise it according to Modernisation Plan of the General Administration of the Auto- their jurisdiction), electronic mail and others. nomous Community of Euskadi for the legislature 1999- The interaction proceedings are steadily deriving 2002, where the ERAGIN model started to take shape, towards the use of the new technologies, and the an instrumental project which unifies and improves most used among them is electronic mail. Zuze- the citizen attention service of the General Admi- nean service must be equipped to meet the nistration of the Autonomous Community of Eus- requirements of these new interaction procee- kadi: ZUZENEAN dings. Direct, direct, ZUZENEAN Moreover, in the cases when eye contact is Zuzenean intends to incorporate valuable advisable, the technologies surrounding the net contents integrating transactions which can of nets make direct image transmissions possi- potentially be requested by society in its relations with the General Administration, both in order to ble, something which will undoubtedly be used get static information and dynamic information, as in the near future in Zuzenean. well as the management of interactions. Other contents of ZUZENEAN service The aim is to overcome the shortcomings of the present The other contents of ZUZENEAN service would be: model, such as lack of security in the information given, lack of reception (welcoming the citizens in order to direct them knowledge about the organs involved, about the state of a file correctly), general register of documents, sale of publications, and even its existence, as well as the dispersion of the sources validation of documents (according to the 149/1996 Decree of th and structuring systems of information. Moreover, the staff June 18 ), appointments, specific information campaigns, sur- used to be ill qualified and wasn’t permanently re-trained. veys on the quality of the services and public opinion, etc. Service quality axis Advantages Zuzenean must be from the very start reliable, supple and Zuzenean will enable the Departments to organise their able to provide personalisation, quick service, empathy, physi- proceedings and jurisdiction matters, to use their own resources cal elements… to deal with value added affairs, to eliminate loss of time and to There must be a system to define and assess from the start improve the perception of the quality of the service. constant service standards, so that the service is fed-back in its In the space of 18 months at most from the approval of the continuing improvement. project, all the Zuzenean plans will be active, although as it is ZUZENEAN clients a service in continuous process of improvement and incorpora- All juridical or physical persons related to the Administra- tion of new information, it will require periodical surveys on tion can be users of Zuzenean service. the quality and citizen satisfaction.
Sentences of a leadership in favor of peace “Basque men and women, how we have changed! We have Acknowledgement and acceptance of the plurality of Basque changed, we have grown, we are a society more solidary and society. more open to other countries…” Building coexistence projects only from free adhesion. Let us “We have to build peace” promote human and friendly initiatives that will favor social “Basque society has advanced towards the homogeneity of its reconciliation. values with those prevailing in western societies” Acknowledgement of the need to start a process of political “Lizarra and Ajuria Enea are the instruments of a bygone stage” normalization.Engagement with an ending brought about by “Principles for a political dialogue”: dialogue” Respect for Human Rights and defence of life. “Basque society does not ask anyone to abandon their ideas, Ethical, moral and material acknowledgement of the victims of but that they defend them through democracy and words” terrorist violence. (Conference of the Lehendakari in Sabin Etxea)
7 GOOD NEWS FROM EUSKADI
Euskal Herriari buruzko berri onik ez da sarritan azaltzen nazioarteko komunikabideetan; txarrak, ordea, bai. Hala ere, euskaldunok badaukagu munduari zer esanik hainbat alorretan. Hemen dituzu batzuk Cultural, scientific, development and education news
Good news are constantly generated in Euskadi, although most media only highlight the infinitely smaller part of the negative news of violence, political struggles and kale borroka.
EUSKADI LITERATURE PRIZES / EUSKADI LITERATURA SARIAK Awarded last November 29th in Lehendakaritza
Euskadi Literature Prize in Basque Children and Youngster Euskadi Literature Prize Winner: Lourdes Oñederra Winner: Felipe Juaristi Title: Eta emakumeari sugeak esan zion. Title: Animalien inauteria. The Animal Carnival And the serpent told the woman. Editor: Erein Editor: Erein
Euskadi Literature Prize in Spanish Euskadi Literature Prize for Translated Work Winner: Paloma Díaz-Mas Winner: Irene Aldasoro Title: La tierra Fértil. The Fertile Land Title: Dublindarrak. Dubliners by James Joyce Editor: Anagrama Editor: Alberdania
“EUSKALDUNAK 175 Ikasle USAC-eko Getxo-Bilbo eta Donostia MUNDUAN- BASQUES Programetan IN THE WORLD” Gaur egun, 175 ikaslek hartzen dute parte Getxo-Bilbo eta Donostiako programetan. Horiek dira USAC-eko pro- New collection about the grama bakarrak Estatu Espainiolean. Guztietan arrakasta- Basques abroad tsuena eta ezagunena Donostiakoa da. 1982 urtean hasi zen. Getxo-Bilbokoa, ostera 1996an. Donostiako progra- The Direction of Re- mak erakartzen ditu nazioarteko ikasle gehienak. Halare, lations with Basque Com- munities has published gutxi izaten dira bertaratzen diren euskal sustriko ikasleak. this year the first issue of Halere, programa hau oso garrantzitsua gertatzen da euskal the collection, which sustraiak dituzten horientzat, euren arbasoen herria includes the following ezagutzeko aukera baita [www.eitb.com] works: “Baptisms, Ma- rriages and Deaths of A cook from Donosti, aged 29, the best in year Navarran-Basques in the 2000, according to New York Press Parish of the Inmaculada The New York Press described Luis Angel Bollo, a Concepción in Buenos Aires 1830-1860”, by the Argentinean Nora Siegrist; “The Legacy of the Immigrants: institutional life cook trained in the Escuela Superior de Cocina de Gipuz- of the Basque Centers in Uruguay 1876-1998”, by the Uruga- koa, as the best New York chef in year 2000. He is in charge yan E. Jorge Arin; and the story “From the Goierri to the Desert of the cuisine of the Meigas restaurant in Manhattan, which of Atacama”, by the Chilean Koldo Urdangarin. he owns in partnership with an Italian and a Gallego since In spite of the diversity of the works included in the collec- about a year ago. Before he established himself in New tion, they must all have a direct relation with the Basques living York, Bollo worked in Mexico D.F. at the restaurant Puer- abroad. The works that had been presented to the Andrés de to Chico, where traditional Basque cooking is served “with Irujo Prize in 1999 and failed to win a prize have been published some modern touches”, as the chef explained. Now “I try to in this first volume. The book has been sent to all Basque Cen- prepare Basque dishes, but in a different way, combining ters in the world. tradition and modernity”.
8 EUSKADITIK POSITIBOAN
Peña Ganchegui is the author of the Peine de los Vientos (comb Mr. and Mrs. Chillida, and Santa Maria Cathe- of the winds) in Donostia and of the Plaza de los Fueros in Vito- dral in Vitoria, were awarded tourism prizes ria-Gasteiz, both works done with Eduardo Chillida. He has Culture promotes countries. Following the wake of the also made many civil buildings in many different places ranging Guggenheim success, the entity and the persons who pro- from Berlin to Barcelona, as well as in different Basque villages, moted two important artistic projects in the fields of archi- tecture and history have been awarded prizes by the Basque including his native Mutriku. Luis Peña is also a university pro- Government, in acknowledgement of the promotion of tou- fessor, and he has a chair in the Escuela Superior de Arquitec- rism in Euskadi during the present year. The Industry, Com- tura in Donostia. merce and Tourism Department, chaired by Josu Jon Imaz, awarded the prizes to Mr. and Mrs. Chillida, for Chillida- leku Museum in Zabalaga, Hernani, and to the Fundación Catedral Santa María de Vitoria, who prepared the restora- Euskadi in tion plan, the archaeological research and the promotion of this gothic building. the most popular TV channel in Uruguay
Uruguayan channel 12, one of the most widely watched of the country, has recently broadcast a video tape on Euskadi. A team from this channel tra- velled in June to the Bas- que Country in order to record live the everyday life of the country. The Direction of Relations with Basque Communities has sent a copy of this video tape to each of the Basque Centers. A picture of the inside of Zabalaga Caserío
The Book and Record Trade Exhibition of Duran- Alonso de Ercilla Association go presented more than 500 novelties This association celebrated their annual reunion in Bermeo rd The 35th Book and Record Trade Exhibition of Durango on December 3 , in the Tower-house of the Ercillas, with the presented this year 536 novelties, about a hundred more than in attendance of many associates, that of the Cultural Advisor of 1999, and for the first time, they could be obtained through the the Embassy of Chile in Madrid, the Honorary Consul in the Basque Country, the Director of Relations with Basque Internet as well. The German translator Klaus Niebel was given Communities, and the directors of the Pablo Neruda Associa- a homage ceremony because of the importance of his country tion. The agenda included the approval of the support of the in Basque culture. There were 232 stands organised by 33 pu- Chilean poet Nicanor Parra as candidate for the Nobel Prize of blishing houses, 26 cultural groups and 16 magazines, among Literature. They are planning to organize in year 2001 a congress other organizations. The catalogue of works published in 2000 of Chileans living in Euskadi and the neighboring regions. showed 957 books, 108 records, 94 magazines, 43 video tapes and 39 multimedia works about the nearly 18.000 titles which could be bought from all over the world through the Internet. 75% of the 536 novelties presented in the exhibition were in Aita Villasante, Agur! Euskera, the highest percentage during the 35 years of history of the event. Aranzazu Sanctuary hosted on December 4th the seve- ral hundred people who came to give their last farewell to LUIS PEÑA GANCHEGUI obtains the first Aita Luis Villasante, with the respect and gratitude he had MUNIBE prize of architecture earned. With a simple and moving ceremony, they said The Gipuzkoan architect Luis Peña Ganchegui has obtai- good bye to one of the main promoters of Euskera batua, ned the Munibe Architecture Prize, organized by the Housing the man who was described as “good, hardworking, hum- and Environment Department of the Basque Government. Luis ble, close to his language and his land”.
9 EUSKADI “KONEKTA ZAITEZ”
The Basque Government invests 5 billion pesetas to subsidize the purchase of home computers With this policy the Government intends to double the number of computers connected to the Internet
THE BASQUE GOVERN- All those who live in the Basque Autonomous Commu- MENT SUBSIDIZES with 25 nity (CAV) and who will use the new computers at home can thousand pesetas, since last benefit from this campaign. If the buyers decide to finance November 27th, the purchase of a their purchase, they have to contact the computer shops who new computer connected to the have joined the campaign and chose an equipment that meets Internet, to any citizen living in the minimum requirements established by the Basque Govern- Euskadi. 5 billion pesetas will be ment, such as Pentium III or AMD Athlon processors, with spent this way in three years. The 128 megas of RAM at least. The shops will charge the prize buyers will benefit from an addi- with a discount of 25 thousand pesetas. Apart from this mini- tional 20 thousand pesetas provi- mum requirement, the Basque Government does not determine ded the savings entities that have any trademark or distributor. joined the program decide to Apart from this subsidy, the Basque Government has finance the purchase. These enti- reached an agreement with several financial entities which ties will also lend 200.000 pese- will add another subsidy of 20 thousand pesetas and low-interest tas at a basic interest rate, to be loans for the purchase. The entities that have joined the pro- paid in a maximum term of 11 ject are BBK, Caja Vital, Caja Rural, Caja Laboral, La Caixa, years. the Banco Guipuzkoano-Bankoa and the Banco de Vitoria. This policy is part of the The Basque Government will spend the 5 billion in three “konekta zaitez” program, inclu- years. The purpose is to increase in 200.000 the number of ded in the “Basque strategy for computers in the Basque Autonomous Community, and to the development of the Society of multiply by five the number of connections with the Internet. Information”, and it intends to encourage the citizens to connect “Konekta Zaitez” nearly reached 2000 purchases to the Internet, and to double the during its first week of life number of home computers exis- During its first week, the program “Konekta Zaitez” pro- ting at present in Euskadi. The Vice-Lehendakari of the Basque moted the sale of almost 2000 computers, a result which was Government, Idoia Zenarruzabeitia, explained the objectives of described by Josu Jon Imaz, the Industry, Commerce and Tou- this program, which was announced by Lehendakari Juan José rism Consultant of the Basque Government, as “a really satis- Ibarretxe in September, and which is included in the plan factory response”. “Euskadi in the society of information”. The purpose of the Government of Gasteiz of extending the use of the Internet and the society of information is beco- Konekta Zaitez will be completed with Internet ming a reality. Since this program started, during its very first courses for the population week, 529 shops joined it. So, both the Basque Government The Work Department of the Basque Govern- ment will offer from January on, free Internet courses addressed to the whole population, with a budget of 1.2 billion pesetas. The courses, which will complete the officially subsidised computer purchase, will last 16 hours, and they will be taught in the premises of the Langai net of collaborators (Langai is the Basque employment service). There is already a similar plan in the towns of the left margin of the Nervión, where Gaztenet has been providing Internet training to groups with difficulties to find employment. Fifteen years ago the Basque Government was pioneer in the State, when they launched free computing cour- ses within the IMI program, a training system which was privatised later on.
10 ”, BASQUE CITIZENS ON-LINE
and the SPRI, the entity in charge of the management of the program, are confident that they will fulfil their expectations and The Konekta mascot reach the figure of ten thousand computers The project, included in the plan “Eus- sold before the end of the year. kadi in the Society of Information” has the The grant of 25 thousand pesetas from purpose of having everybody take part in it. the Basque Government, plus the 20 thou- That is why the Basque Government invites sand provided by the financial entities have the Basque students, through the teachers of the schools located all over the Basque made it possible to launch a project that Country, to take part in the Contest for the intends to “duplicate the computer park”, as creation of the official Konekta Zaitez Mas- Josu Jon Imaz pointed out, and to multiply by cot. five the connections to the Internet. Another With this contest, the Basque Govern- priority of the program is to “stress the diffe- ment wanted, through the Public Society rences between an advanced society and one SPRI, to involve the children aged between which is not so advanced”. Several countries 10 and 14 in the creation of the mascot, which will undoubtedly become as popular have already shown an interest in this project. as “Garbi” or “Cobi”. The winning drawing In regard to the sales, during the first will become the official symbol of the pro- week of the program 924 computers were gram and will be used in all the elements of sold in Bizkaia, 645 in Gipuzkoa and 253 in the campaign. The winners of the contest Araba. 282 shops joined the program in Biz- will receive from the hands of Lehendakari kaia, 175 in Gipuzkoa and 72 in Araba. There Juan José Ibarretxe a digital photograph camera as prize. were also 1.876 consultations on the matter.
“The Basque strategy for the development of the Society of Information”
One of the less known efforts, but which will in the B) Management indicators: diffusion and aware- future prove to be of the utmost importance, undertaken ness, schools with electronic mail ( year 2202, 100%), by the present Basque Government, is the deep commit- electronic inscription of pupils (100% of the education ment to the development of a society of information, so centers in 2002), on line administration and public ser- that Euskadi does not lose the train of the more developed vices-possibility of reaching the basic Administration countries. There are three stages of development in the services in the two official languages, use of electronic designed strategic plan health card, tax payers using Rentanet… 1. The transformations of the economic and social environment The proposed Program has the following action 2. The parameters of the new society of informa- steps tion and knowledge A) The cultural change. Adaptation of the Edu- 3. Opening diagnostic. Political priorities. cational System Within this basic scheme there are three objectives B) On-line Administration and Citizen Services marked in the EUSKADI PROJECT: Citizen and health cards, electronic vote, interactive a. Real convergence employment and training guide, road information, b. Social and territorial cohesion Eusko Tren information services, social services, en- c. Modernisation and life quality cyclopaedia of the Basque Country, Habenet, voice identification in Euskera In order to achieve them, the following action C) The transformation of the Business World axis are established: Inter-companies nets of electronic trade. Economic promotion plan. Employment and trai- Capital-risk funds to promote new economy busi- ning plan. Infrastructures plan. nesses Euskadi plan. D) Infrastructures improvement In order to control the action axis, the following Digital signs, digitalisation of radio and television, development indicators are established: Euskonix point and multimedia corridor A) Basic indicators: access to the Internet, compa- This is only a small summary of the complete plan nies using electronic trade, number of students per com- “konekta zaitez” belongs to. It is just the point of the ice- puter, cellular phones, RDSI lines, PCs, companies in berg of the launching of Basque strategy for the develop- the Internet ment of the society of information.
11 LEADERS IN COOPERATION FOR DEVELOPMENT
“Historically“Historically EuskadiEuskadi hashas alwaysalways beenbeen aa solidarysolidary country”country”
Mikel Burzako, the new Director of Cooperation for Development of the Basque Government, talks about Basque leadership in aid of the less fortunate countries and persons
“Historically Euskadi has always been a solidary country is just as important that they also come to Euskadi and with the peoples and the persons in need. We have been get to know us as we are, not as some communication and still are an important symbol in the collabora- media try to describe us to the world. The programs we tion/support of the Third World, even when cooperation have organised for this purpose are working very well, was not yet fashionable and had not reached the present especially with young people from Latin America”. figures”, Mikel Burza- ko, recently appointed Director of Coopera- “Euskadi is the tion for Development solidarity symbol of the Basque Govern- of the Spanish ment, points out. His State. We can be department belongs to proud of being one the General Secretary of the few coun- of Foreign Action. tries in the world Mikel Burzako who give 0.7% of talks proudly of the their GNP to the 4.750 million pesetas Third World” that the Government chaired by Juan José Ibarretxe has destined this year to Cooperation for Deve- lopment. “Figure that, even though we know it is only a drop in a huge ocean, is very important if we take into account the fact that Euskadi has a population of only a little over two million. The Government and the citizens make an important effort putting aside that amount for the development of Third World countries. Considering Burzako at his office in Gasteiz. all this, the “solidary” Basque policies offer no doubt whatsoever. They are structural action policies, not based on the present situation”, Mikel Burzako explains. “With our help the need of cooperation for The Director of Cooperation for Development is in development policies has ceased to be favor of awareness-increasing actions. “It is important open to debate” that people and especially young people get involved in solidarity projects. And I believe-he adds- that also in this aspect we are becoming a symbol within the Spanish Mikel Burzako talks about the excellent work of State. Every year more than 300 people get involved in Basque ONGs and about the need of his department to cooperation, many of them young boys and girls who work “shoulder to shoulder” with them. “For we mustn’t take part in the programs we have launched. On one forget that if this direction exists it is because of this hand it is important that our younger generations go non-government movement, which got the support of the abroad and see other realities, but on the other side, it citizens in the demand to the government to collaborate
12 GARAPENEN LANKIDETZARAKO AITZINDARIAK
seriously with the under-developed countries. The Lehendakari heard their voices and supported their demands; that is why we now try to agree with those social agents about the policies we want to organise.” The new Director of Cooperation for Development believes
Eusko Jaurlaritza da aurrekontu arruntaren %0’7 Hirugarren Munduari ematen dion gutxietako bat that cooperation should not necessarily be merely humanitarian. “The social situations of the Third World prove that our specialised knowledge both in the world of technology and in sectorial policies would be very effec- tive. That is why the Basque Public Institutions, the Pro- fessional Schools and the Universities can provide a lot of experience as well as a deep social vocation”, Mikel Bur- zako points out, while he also calls attention on solidarity it is easier for ONGs to work in that continent, because of matters which tend to be ignored, because of our ignorance the language and infrastructures, than in Asia or Africa. rather than as the result of ill will. Personally I believe we should give more attention to Africa. The director of coo- Therefore, I encourage the peration admits that 80% ONGs to chose the black of the development pro- MIKEL BURZAKO: “EUSKADI OPENS continent too. Moreover, we managers of the depart- jects are addressed to ITS ARMS TO THE PEOPLES AND Latin America. “The pre- ment should reflect upon ference for these coun- PERSONS IN GREATER NEED” the minute role represented tries is very old; it is also by Africa in the coopera- easy to understand that tion projects. Maybe we should rethink about the requirements of the projects and maybe these should be different for this continent than they are for the others. I mean, we should positi- vely discriminate Africa”, he declares passionately while plunging into the paperwork and computer, trying to show me some of the information he is soaking in, in relation to cooperation. In his opinion cooperation should tend to global projects, “where the stability of the countries and the global integra- tion of their people in their own environment should be one of the main considerations” The new Director of Cooperation also spoke about the existing awareness of the need of coordinating the different institutions dedicated to cooperation: Basque Government, County and City Councils, ONGs. “Make the most of the resources and not duplicate efforts. We should work together as much as we can so we can obtain Two of the latest books on Cooperation published by Lehendakaritza. better results”, concludes Mikel Burzako.
13 EUSKADI SHOWS ITS FULL TOURIST EUSKADI PRESENTS ITS TOURIST OFFER IN CHICAGO AND NEW YORK
A delegation of the Industry, Commerce and Tourism Department of the Basque Government, led by Josu Jon Imaz, travelled to the two American cities to present the tourist offer of Euskadi
representatives of the buying capacity, and the tourist offer Port of Bilbao and of Euskadi presents them lures directors of six tou- powerful enough to increase these rism companies. figures by many thousands of poten- Six years had tial American visitors. elapsed since the last visit of this kind was CHICAGO, THE HEARTBEAT OF THE organised. The United AMERICAN MID-WEST States were the cho- The presentation in Chicago was sen destination not due to the fact that this city is the only because of the heartbeat of the American Mid-West commercial opportu- (states of Wisconsin, Illinois, India- nities offered by this na, Michigan and Ohio), where 65% country due to its of the industrial activity of this huge import capacity country is concentrated. resulting from the The presentation of the Basque expansive economic tourism promotion and offer took cycle which is lasting place at the University Club of Chi- Imaz talks to the artist Schnabel at the New York Guggenheim Museum for more than ten cago, with the attendance of impor- years, but also because this country is at the tant groups of American Tourism More than a hundred Ame- businessmen, and the results were rican tour operators saw head of the world technological revolution, which is bringing about a very satisfactory. the great tourist potential of new international economy. Moreo- There were two kinds of promo- Euskadi. Josu Jon Imaz ver, the United States offer an tional activities. Some intended to showed the true image of important market quota and repre- show the Basque tourist offer to the Euskadi sent maybe the best showcase to professionals of the sector, tour ope- introduce any new promotion rators, travel agents and tourism "The purpose of the visit under- through its very latest information businessmen. The other kind of acti- taken by the Commerce and Tourism technologies. In 1993 Euskadi recei- vities, the most general, attempted to Minister of the Basque Government, ved 11.500 American visitors, whe- present Euskadi as a country, with its reas in 1999 there were 53.000 and Josu Jon Imaz, from November 13 to tourist offers, through videos, leaflets, there is an increase of 20% this year. November 17, to Chicago and New Basque music groups, etc. The pre- These American visitors have a solid York, was “to promote Basque sentation speech was made by Josu tourism in a market as expanding Jon Imaz in a perfect English, and he and interesting as the North Ame- talked about an event which has rican market”. The Basque dele- made us join with strength the inter- gation was formed by trist promo- 1993an 11.500 bisitari national tourism market: the Bilbao tion managers of the department, amerikar etorri ziren Guggenheim Museum. “But Ðhe including the Vice-Minister Koro Euskadira, 1999an, declaredÐ the Bilbao Guggenheim Garmendia, and the Director Juan berriz, 53.000. Aurten, Museum is not only a museum which Bautista Mendizabal, and of the momentuz, %20 gehiago hosts inside and outside works of three County Councils, members of etorri dira art, it is also a giant sculpture which the Rural Tourism Association, two has given light to a whole city, Bil- businessmen from hotel chains, bao. Without any doubt Ðhe saidÐ it
14 ATTRACTION TO AMERICAN SOCIETY
Josu Jon Imaz with the Vice-Minister Koro Garmendia during the press conference celebrated in Chicago The Minister watching the video tape about Euskadi, presented at the University Club is our star, but it is not the only thing of Chicago Euskadi offers to the public, far from that. We are a small country, a little over 7 thousand square kilometers Seattle and Eder Montero, from New young Harkaitz Martinez and Igor with a population of about two York, and it delighted the attendants. Otxoa, who charmed the audience million, but with a lot of economic, Josu Jon Imaz talked about the with the ancestral sounds of the txa- cultural, social and gastronomic contrasts where tradition and innova- laparta combined with the most riches” tion work hand in hand to present a popular sounds of American jazz. musical instrument such as txalapar- NEW YORK, THE REFERENCE ta “I don’t believe there is anything JOB COMPLETED The impact of the Bilbao Gug- like that in the world, a place where Back in Euskadi, the Minister genheim Museum on the perception social space is shared by a terribly Josu Jon Imaz showed his satisfac- of the American citizens of the Biz- ancient communication instrument tion with the results obtained, for the kaian capital and of the whole Euska- such as the txalaparta, and by the Basque companies made contacts di, has been so strong that the Basque newest expressions of telematics, during the visit to the two American representatives decided to make the both of them being in excellent cities, with more than 115 American presentation of the Basque tourist tour operators. “Now I have seen the offer at the Solomon Guggenheim attendants and spoken to the people Museum in New York too. The who came to the presentations, I Museum was overflowing with Josu Jon Imaz showed his believe even more strongly that we American businessmen, Basques satisfaction with the results should organise more promotional living in the Big Apple and artists obtained, for the Basque campaigns. They would help launch such as Julian Schnabel and his wife, businessmen made contact Euskadi generically and they would Gipuzkoan model Olatz Lopez Gar- support the Basque tourist compa- mendia, or actor Christopher Walker, in Chicago and New York with more than 115 USA nies and the whole Basque industry. among many other important perso- Moreover, I have perceived among nalities of New York social life. tour operators. Moreover, the American businessmen the wish Both the prepared activities and the consultant underlined, “ the greetings and presentation of the I to know the truth about the Basque have perceived among Country, which usually is quite dis- Basque Minister were similar to those American businessmen a in Chicago. The workshop for profes- torted when it reaches them. It is sionals also attracted a great number great interest in getting imperative to make more promotions of businessmen. As it happened in the complete information about such as those done in Chicago and University Club of Chicago, the Euskadi” New York in order to make Euskadi guests had the opportunity to sample known. We must use the Bilbao Gug- the tastes of the Basque Country, of genheim Museum as a flag to “sell” our magnificent gastronomy. The Euskadi”, as the Tourism Minister, cocktail was designed by two Bas- Josu Jon Imaz, explained, visibly que cooks who work in the USA: health”, the Minister explained as he satisfied with the American expe- Joseba Jimenez, who travelled from made way for the performance of the rience.
15 RESPECT FOR THE WILL OF BASQUE CITIZENS
Last November the Lehendakari of the Basques spoke to all the citizens of the Basque Autonomous Community to show them the path his government wants to open in the process that must be followed in order to achieve a peaceful coexistence. This proposition of mutual ethical respect, born as a project for peace and coexistence, has been the prelude of the institutional summons the Lehendakari himself headed in Gernika, under the tree of freedom.
♦ A PROPOSAL IN FAVOR OF PEACE AND COEXIS- TENCE BASED ON… The defence of the right to life and freedom of all persons The respect to the decisions of Basques citizens The dialogue and political negotiation in order to achieve social coexistence ♦ AND WITH THE FOLLOWING ENGAGEMENT ✓ An ethical engagement with the defence of the right to life and freedom. An ethical engagement to show the deepest and most forthright rejection of Basque society towards violence and terrorism, as well as our determination to defend life as a supreme and fundamental value. In defence of human rights and of the freedoms of all persons. So that all ideas and projects can be defended under the same conditions and using only and exclusively pacific and democra- tic means. ✓ A democratic engagement of respect for the decisions and will of Basque citizens Respect to the Institutions we have all built together according to the demo- cratic will of the majority of the Basque People. Respect for the completion of the Gernika Statute in its integrity and respect, also to the democratic legiti- macy of the options of updating and change of the statute, according to the decisions taken by Basque society. ✓ An engagement to achieve social good fellowship through dialogue and political negotiation So that, respecting what we are today, what has been built up to this date with the will of Basque citizens, we can decide all together what we want to be in the future. In order to achieve this, we have to promote dialogue among all Basque political parties so that, all together, we can design new common grounds for the future. With no exclusions. Based on mutual respect and searching for understanding, good fellowship and reconciliation among all.
BASIC PRINCIPLES FOR DIALOGUE AND GOOD FELLOWSHIP
1.Ð Respect to human rights and respect to life. Life is the supreme value. Only respect to life guarantees the exercise of the other rights. 2.Ð Ethical, moral and material acknowledgement of the victims of terrorist violence. Acknowledgement and undivided support to the victims who have suffered and still suffer violence, through the promotion of political and social initiatives destined to defend and support the people who endure violence, blackmail or intolerance, just because they defend their legitimate ideas. 3.Ð Acknowledgement and acceptance of the plurality of Basque society. Strict respect of all political, social and cultural options existing in the heart of Basque society, which reflect the plurality of this society, and defence of individual freedom to express any personal or political ambition. 4.Ð Building the good-fellowship projects only from free adhesion. A good-fellowship project for the whole Basque society cannot be enforced or compulsory. An integrated Basque society can only be achieved on the base of the respect of all ideas and all projects and with an undivided engagement of using only the democratic rules and accepting the final decisions of the majority of the Basque society.
16 EUSKAL HIRITARTASUNEN BORONDATEARI ERRESPETUA Open letter from the Lehendakari to the Basques
Dear citizen: Based upon this fundamental The right to life and human ethical principle, Basque society dignity is the principle of any has vigorously demanded ETA to project of good fellowship, that abandon violence once and for is why my personal priority at ever, and to respect human rights. the head of the Basque Govern- And they are demanding solu- ment, and the fundamental tions from us, politicians, they objective of our entire society is are asking initiatives to help open to achieve Peace. again the door for a new stage of As it happens in every life hope. Therefore, and conscious project, there are light and obs- of my responsibility as Lehenda- cure areas in this path that leads kari, on October 19 I presented in to Peace. Using dialogue and the Basque Parliament a political negotiation we have lived for initiative which might allow us to almost two years without the start walking along a path which murders caused by terrorist vio- has to be covered by all if we are lence. Unfortunately, after this to achieve the common objective hopeful period, which was not of Peace and good fellowship. always devoid of confrontation, Euskal gizarteak ETAri This is a summary of this Initia- death has spread the shadow of sad- exijitu dio indarkeria tive, which I wish to share with all ness in our hearts. But the hope of behin betirako uztea eta Basque citizens, because the hope- achieving Peace has a strong hold giza-eskubideak ful future we all dream about has to on us and nobody will be able to be built with the help of all of us. errespetatzea. take it away. Eskerrik asko. Peace is possible and the only Eta ordezkari politikooi way to reach it is respecting the life irtenbideak eskatzen Vitoria-Gasteiz, November 17, 2000 and freedom of all persons. dizkigu Juan José Ibarretxe Markuartu
5.Ð Need to promote humanitarian initiatives to favor social reconciliation We must help achieving peace with a positive will of bringing to our society humanity and reconciliation. The politicians should provide good-fellowship bridges to consolidate a plural society joined in the fundamental aspects, for in spite of all our differences we all feel we are Basque citizens. The reconciliation and the humanisation of the struggle demands not only the expressed acknowledgement of the injustices which have been made, but also the fulfilment of the engagements undertaken in the matter of prison policies. 6.Ð Acknowledgement of the fact that we are initiating a process of political normalisation. Once we have admitted the existence of different sensibilities within Basque society in relation to the desired level of self-government, in relation to the level of acceptation of the present juridical, political and institutional framework, or in relation to the feeling of belonging, of national identity, it is necessary to undertake a dialogue process to express this plurality and enable us to reach a higher cohesion and inte- gration within Basque society. 7.Ð Engagement to bring the end of the struggle through dialogue Every dialogue process has to be started on the assumption of the respect for human rights and the undivided engagement of all partici- pants to use only and exclusively political and democratic means. Respecting what has been built until the present and assuming the juridical framework and the institutions which have been legitimately built by the will of Basque society, we must, all together, find new common grounds for the future. With no exclusions, with mutual respect and in search of agreement, good fellowship and social reconciliation.
17 A HUNDRED YEARS OF BASQUE ASSOCIATIONISM IN BAHIA BLANCA
NECOCHEA 2000 ACTS CELEBRATED DURING THE ARGENTINEAN-BASQUE NATIONAL WEEK
Friday November 10 Friday November 17 At 9 a.m., choral meeting in celebration of Tradition Day, joining the Reception of the delegations at the Basque Center Argentinean-Basque National Week. Closing ceremony of the American Congress of Basque Centers Welcome to the Gaztelubide Society from San Sebastián Saturday November 11 Reunion of the Federation of Argentinean-Basque Entities (FEVA) Soirée with the Necochea Gazte Alai dance groups al the Culture Hall. Artistic soirée with the performance of the orfeón Romería at the Institution de la Castaña and the participation of the Eusko Etxea Choir and Monday November 13 the Otxote Osasuna. Welcome txikiteo for the group Etzakit and for the president of the Society of Basque Studies of America, José Ramón Cengotitaben- Saturday November 18 goa Reception of delegations FEVA meeting. Signature of the agreement FEVA-Habe Lehenda- Wednesday November 15 karitza. Reception of the delegation of representatives from the Basque Several activities and tamborrada by Gaztelubide society from San Government, Iñaki Aguirre and Josu Legarreta Sebastián, accompanied by the tamborradas of Bahía Blanca, Bue- Thursday November 16 nos Aires, La Plata, Mar del Plata, Necochea and Rosario. Opening session of the 2nd American Congress of Basque Centers Parade of the dantzaris of the Argentinean Basque Centers. Rome- at the Cultural Center. Lectures by Pierre Etxarren, Cultural Center, ría… Imanol Bolinaga, Pello Salaburu, Cultural Center. Inauguration of the Paintings Exhibition of the Necochea Plastic Artists at the Cul- Sunday November 19 tural Center. Dinner at the Institution. Award of prizes of the Mus Greetings for the Necochea municipal authorities. Dancing exhibi- Tournament. Homage to the winner of the logotype contest, perfor- tion by the Argentinean dance groups. Tamborrada by Gaztelubide mance of the Etzakit Group. society and several other activities.
ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF THE BASQUE UNION OF BAHIA BLANCA 1899-1999 “100 years of the Basque Union of Bahía Blanca” is the ding to the authors: “The Basque Union of Mutual title of the book published by Marta Susana Rami- Assistance, ex Laurak Bat, is a space of sociability, rez on Basque presence in Bahía Blanca during because the matters related to good fellowship, this century. An interesting summary on this mutual help and recreation go through all the presence under every point of view: Basque dimensions that define institutional life and immigrants, their associations, dances, pelota, they include the whole population. It is a cultu- music, religion, euskera, culture, cooking, ral space, identified by the permanent attempt feminine presence… The Basque Union/Lau- to illuminate the sense of being Basque and rak Bat as the axis to get to know the influence of acting according to this self-concept, overcoming Basque presence in the area and vice-versa. Accor- time and space”.
VISITS TO THE BASQUE CENTERS Iñaki Aguirre, General Secretary of nied the General Secretary of Foreign Foreign Action of the Basque Govern- Action, Iñaki Aguirre, during the Con- ment, visited the Basque Center Eusko gress of Basque Centers and the Bas- Etxea in Santiago de Chile and the Chi- que National Week, celebrated in Neco- lean-Basque Foundation for Cooperation chea. for Development and the Argentinean- He visited the Basque Centers of the Basque Institute of Cooperation for Deve- following cities: Buenos Aires, La Plata, lopment in Buenos Aires from November 11 to 15. Rosario, San Nicolás, Arrecifes, Pergami- He chaired the Congress of Basque no, Rosario, San Carlos de Bariloche, Centers and the FEVA meeting in Neco- Santa Rosa, Macachín and Bahía Blanca chea from November 17 to 19. (in Argentina) and Euskaro, Euskal Erria, Josu Legarreta, Director of Relations Haize Hegoa and Fivu (Federation of Basque Center in Arrecife with Basque Communities, accompa- Basque Centers of Uruguay) in Uruguay.
18 EUSKAL ETXEEN NAZIOARTEKO II. BILTZARRA
PEACE COMES THROUGH DIALOGUE
Representatives from the Euskal Etxeak in Argen- tina, Uruguay, Chile, Mexico and the United States took part in the 2nd International Congress of Basque Centers celebrated in the city of Necochea on Novem- ber 16 and 17, 2000. After the debates and analysis of the papers pre- sented, the commission of institutional affairs pro- claimed the need to strengthen and defend Basque identity and culture. This identity is still alive, but in The Necochea Basque Center in Argentina. need of new sap, which can only be provided by the younger generations. The young must take part in the Euskal Etxeak, they have to learn Euskera and Basque situation of Euskadi, for the Diaspora is worried about dances, play pelota… they have to come near Basque what happens everyday in their Basque motherland. culture in its widest sense, so that they can get involved That is why Ðapart from the undeniable interest of the in the direction of the Euskal Etxea of their environ- document for the strengthening of links among the ment. They should even, if possible, come to know the Basques spread all over the world-, we reproduce here present plural Euskadi. the whole text of the Final Declaration of the 2nd Inter- The representatives of the international Basque national Congress of Basque Centers, celebrated in communities elaborated a document on the present Argentina in the Necochea Euskal Etxea.
Representatives of the Basque Government, FEVA, and NABO during the closing ceremony of the Necochea Congress.
FINAL DECLARATION
As peace is the most difficult and, at the same time, the supreme craving of the persons and peoples, the delegations present in this 2nd International Congress of Basque Centers, with the serene perspective Peace is not reached through given by distance, support Basque society, the Government of Euskadi and all the Basque institutions in declamations, their determination to carry out a peace process with which we all feel engaged. discourses and We deeply and categorically condemn violence for it violates the most elementary of human condemnations rights: the right to life. of violence, but We denounce the biased propaganda which tries to blame the national feeling of the Basque Peo- through dialogue, ple. negotiation, We express our certainty that in any place in the world, peace is not achieved through declama- tolerance and the tions, discourses and the condemnation of violence, but through dialogue, negotiation, tolerance and gaining of mutual the gaining of minimum agreements which make coexistence possible. grounds Finally, we express our support to the right of the Basque citizens of deciding freely and demo- cratically about their future.
19 2nd INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF BASQUE CENTERS
The Final Declaration of this 2nd Congress of Basque Centers certainly provides mat- ter for reflection and it shows a crystal clear support of peace through dialogue and tolerance, with an unqualified rejection of any kind of violence. But this Congress has not only resulted in such a solemn declaration, it has also given new strength to the defence of Basque identity and culture, calling attention on the need to maintain the relation between the Diaspora Basques and those living in Euskal Herria, and reinforcing the collaboration among the Euskal Etxeak and the institutions in Euskadi. The congress has also urged the younger generations to take part in the tasks and management of the Basque Centers.
3. Renew the spirit of being and feeling Basque, the main foundation for the maintenance of our iden- tity. In order to do so, we must continue working at the training of our new generations, in order to make them able to propagate our culture in the field of the Euskal Etxeak and in the society they are settled in. 4. Materialise the constitution of a ONG to ope- rate in the international field (United Nations and/or other international organisations), in order to protect the historical rights of the Basque People. 5. Culture and Economy are two words which should not be considered opposed. Therefore, the institutions in America offer to become centers of social and economic information on their area of FEVA reunion during the Necochea Basque week. influence, in order to promote eventual commercial exchanges INSTITUTIONAL AREA 6. Aware of the importance of the preservation of the Environment, During the 2nd International “We must continue we must guarantee the exchange of Congress of Basque Centers, working in the training legal and technological knowledge to celebrated in the city of Neco- of the new generations ensure the good use of water, air and chea during November 16 and in order to enable them soil. 17, 2000, after many debates to propagate our and analysis on the papers pre- culture in the field of the Euskal Etxeak and sented, the commission of insti- YOUTH AND in the society where tutional affairs proclaimed the COMMUNICATIONS AREA they are settled”. need to strengthen and defend The papers presented have been Basque identity and culture. grouped in 6 categories according to In order to achieve those their subject orientation: objectives, the institutions promised to continue with the permanent work developed until the present. 1.Ð Youth Considering our future depends on what we do They have decided to: today with our youngsters, on the opportunities and 1. Intensify the communication with Euskadi in spaces we give them inside the Euskal Etxeak, we the development of joint proposals agreed for the must show them the way, offering them chances, good work of the Euskal Etxeak. letting them grow and helping them. 2. Increase the communication between the They must be able to take part in the decisions of Basque Centers and communities living outside the house, they must be given responsibilities they Euskal Herria, in order to work in global projects can undertake. They must have the chance to see involving Basques and their friends all over America. their knowledge grow through permanent and inte-
20 EUSKAL ETXEEN NAZIOARTEKO II. BILTZARRA
gral training in Basque culture so as to have futu- re leaders for our Euskal Etxeak. The young boys and girls who actively take part must receive a complete and responsible training. This way they will stay in our houses for a long time.
Suggestions: 1. Implementation of a policy of insertion of the young boys and girls in all activities of the Basque Centers and exhortation to the Basque Centers in America to organise specific actions in each cen- ter or globally. 2. Training of the youngsters as future directors of the Euskal Etxeak One of the paintings shown in Necochea exhibition. 3. Participation of the youngsters in institutions in the field where they develop their activity. 4. Integration of young boys and girls of the environment in Basque culture. 4.Ð Use of the Internet in proposals related to the 5. Creation of summer camps for recreation and community, such as blood bank, access to virtual for the development of workshops on Basque cultu- schoolrooms like the one in the Universidad Nacio- re. nal de La Plata, where they have the Free Chair of 6. Development of Basque pelota with the visits Basque Thought. of teachers from Euskadi. 7. Reaching agreements between the University 4.Ð Libraries of the Basque Country and the Americas, so that 1.Ð We repeat the need to convert the data ba- pelota teachers train the local to include practices ses of the libraries of the Basque Centers of La Plata inside the sport training studies. and Laurak Bat in Buenos Aires to a compatible version, by Euskal Fun- 2.Ð Euskera ADDRESSED TO THE dazioa a) Creation of Euskera and YOUNGSTERS 2.Ð Increase in the relations and Basque culture workshops Promote the training of exchanges of the directors of the the young boys and b) Promotion of the use of libraries of the Basque Centers. girls as future Euskera outside the schoolroom, 3.Ð Management of the material directors of the Euskal in Basque publishing houses. both in formal and informal situa- Etxeak. tions. Favor the participation 4.Ð Discuss with the Basque c) Use of the human resour- of the young Government material they have ces to organise Euskera work- generations in the published. shops and courses. institutions of the envi- d) Use the technological ronment where they 5.Ð Txikis media to exchange and learn Eus- develop their activity. 1.Ð Organisation of leisure and kera. Integrate the young cultural activities as well as diffe- e) Diffusion and learning of boys and girls of the rent forms of exchanges containing Euskera outside the Euskal environment in Basque Basque culture training elements, Etxeak, in universities, schools, culture. in order to reinforce their American- communication media, etc. Basque identity
3.Ð The Internet 6.Ð Communication 1.Ð Promotion of the use of the Internet inside Every Basque Center must make the most of the and outside the Basque Centers. means they have at hand, in order to broadcast, 2.Ð Use of the Internet as a means of learning spread and circulate systematically all information Basque culture in general and Euskera in particular. 3.Ð Exchange of resources and knowledge to reaching the institution. advance in the use of the Internet. NECOCHEA, November 2000
21 ARGENTINA, CHILE AND URUGUAY, EUSKARAZ WITH HABE Munduan euskaraz F.J. Zinkunegi that they can begin which will regulate this activity was teaching Euskera signed last November 17 in Necochea, courses. between HABE and FEVA. During these 10 The purpose of this Agreement is to years we have trained establish the bases for the fulfilment of totally or partially the FEVA plans for the course more than 50 teachers 2000/2001. HABE and FEVA agreed to for Argentina. Par- develop the following plan: tially because the last a) HABE will take care of: group will end their Organising two courses per year for process of learning the teachers who are teaching in the Euskera between the Basque Centers; months of January Provide FEVA the basic material and March 2001 in needed in order to undertake the teaching the Barnetegi of of Euskera: Maizpide in Lazkao. Installation of HEZINET (self-lear- This is the last of the ning computer program) four groups of tea- Legarreta awards a diploma in Necochea (Argentina). Installation of HABENET (official chers who have been HABE web page, giving access to the training during this Intranet) 10 years ago the Basque Govern- period. This group, Send didactic materials published by ment launched the “Argentinan Euska- group D. started working in 1997 in San HABE raz” Plan, through HABE and the Nicolás (Argentina), and after passing 7 Provide a technician/manager for the Department of Foreign Action of the levels there, they will end their training project, with a part-time dedication. Basque Government, in cooperation with in Euskadi. This group is the last of this b) FEVA will deal with: training system, and for the moment FEVA (Federation of Argentinean-Basque Tutoring the users of HEZINET there are no further plans of training Entities). The main purpose of the plan Guarantee the computing infrastruc- groups, although individual teachers was to organise Euskera courses in the ture for the installation of HEZINET and could be trained, as the needs arise. Basque Centers of the whole country. HABENET. In these 10 years we have achieved three Distributing the didactic materials fundamental objectives: THE NEW TECHNOLOGIES distributed by HABE to the Basque Cen- 1.Ð We have taught Euskera to a ters. group of future teachers, members of Gathering and offering the didactic different Basque Centers in Argentina Nowadays the new technologies break the barrier of distance in educa- material elaborated in the Basque Cen- and for Argentina. ters for the learning of Euskera. 2.Ð Once they have learned Euskera, tion. Therefore, HABE, in collaboration with AURTEN BAI, has developed a Providing a technician/manager for we have given them the educational tools the project with part-time dedication. they need to undertake their teaching system for learning Euskera by compu- ter, which can be tutored long distance In all matters related to the econo- tasks. mic subsidies, they will comply with 3.Ð They have been given the neces- (even from Euskadi). This way there is what is established in the Resolution of sary didactic and consulting materials, so no dependence on the availability of tea- chers in the Basque Center. the General Director of HABE of Octo- This system has been pre- ber 18, 2000 on the aids for private eus- sented in Argentina in diffe- kaltegis and Basque Centers. rent cities, Buenos Aires, La On the other hand, I would like to Plata, Mar del Plata, Neco- point out that this year, for the first time, chea, within the framework we will collaborate with the Basque Cen- of the Basque Week, and it ters in Chile and Uruguay. These Basque has been very well accepted. Centers will also have the opportunity to The computing infrastruc- renew their computing infrastructures, tures of the Basque Centers install HEZINET, have access to are going to be renewed. In HABENET and receive economic February 2001 the software grants, according to the above mentioned will be installed and about resolution. 18 Basque Centers will be This activity is also developed in able to offer this new lear- many other Basque Centers apart from ning system next academic the three countries we have mentioned: course, which will begin in the United States, Spain, France, the The president of FEVA and the director of HABE sign during the Inter- March 2001. The agreement United Kingdom, Venezuela, Mexico… national Congress an agreement for the teaching of Euskera.
22 UPELETAN ERRONKA ETA TXALAPARTARIAK Upeletan erronka
Jon Maya
Upeletan erronka azken urtean Euskal Herrian erantzun zabal eta arra- kastatsuena jaso duen ikuskizunetako bat da. Urte bakar batean berrogei saio egin ditu Euskal Herri osoan zehar. Ikuskizun osatua da. Euskal kulturako izen esanguratsuenetako batzuek biltzeaz gain, bertsolaritza, dantza eta trikitixa- ren arteko uztarketa ederra egiten du. Hiru elementu hauek, sagardotegi itxu- ra duen eskenatoki batean biltzen dira, eta saioaren funtsa bi taldeetako ber- tsolari zein dantzarien artean gertatzen den erronka da. Saio hau antolatzeko arduraduna Laxok taldea izan da. Bertan momen- tuko lau dantzari esanguratsuenak biltzen dira: Jon Maya, Kimetz Larrañaga, Iban Agote eta Oier Imaz; azken lau urteetako Euskal Herriko dantza soltu eta aurreskulari txapeldunak dira hauek. Laguntzaileak ere bikainak dituzte. Ba- tetik, bertsolariak Andoni Egaña txapelduna eta Anjel Mari Peñagarikano dira eta trikitilariak Ansorregi eta Larrañaga ezagunak.
Txalaparta triumphed in the USA with Harkaitz Martínez and Dantzaris celebrate the feast of cider. Igor Otxoa
Nerea Garai Elementu tradizionalekin egindako ikuskizun berritzai- Harkaitz Martinez and Igor Otxoa, in spite of their youth, are two lea da Upeletan Erronka. Uz- true masters in the art of txalaparta and they delighted the American tarketa saio berriak, koreo- public in their debut in New York and Chicago, last November. They grafia berriak, dantza tradi- zionalen moldaketak. Elemen- managed to combine to perfection the ancestral sound, so typical of Eus- tu ikusgarri ugari biltzen dira kalerria with the more modern music of American jazz. Both in the Uni- ordu eta laurdenean. versity Club of Chicago and in the Solomon Guggenheim Museum of Saioak aurrera darrai New York, where Josu Jon Imaz presented the Basque tourist offer, the oraindik ere, eta Euskal Herri- attendants were charmed by our ancestors’ instrument and by the exce- ko mugak gainditzeko asmoa llent performance of Harkaitz and Igor. They all wondered about the ere erakutsi dute partehar- origins of txalaparta and they all wanted to know all about “such an ori- tzaileek. Mundu guztian eus- ginal instrument”. After their performance, these two Basque musicians kal kulturaren berri emateko answered the questions of the audience, which was eager for informa- era egokia da, zalantzarik ga- tion. It was a real success for txalaparta. The experience was also suc- be. Ikuskizunaren berri jakin cessful for the two Basque chefs: Joseba Jimenez owns a restaurant in nahi izanez gero deitu 636- Seattle and Eder Moreno one in New York. They both triumphed with the 46.46.43 telefonora edo ida- cocktail they offered during the presentation acts of Basque tourism in tzi [email protected] the USA. Gastronomy and music were two of the most powerful lures to helbidera. encourage the Americans to visit Euskadi.
23 EUSKADI ON THE WAVELENGTH OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES
RADIO EUSKADI, BASQUE WAVELENGTH IN THE INTERNET
RADIO EUSKADI IN broadcast the results of the THE NET football matches, as the Basques living abroad Since over a year requested when asked ago, the Basques spread about the contents they all over the world, and wished to have access to”. all those who want to be The directors of Radio informed about Basque Euskadi/Euskadi Irratia matters, have the oppor- wish to bring our real tunity to listen to Radio Euskadi from everywhere in the Pla- country closer to all those who want to be updated on the net. The different chains of Radio Euskadi-Euskadi Irratia situation of the Basque Country, and they broadcast news can be heard through the web page of the Basque communi- about our political situation for the Basque community who cation entity (www.eitb.com), which by the way, has recent- lives outside Euskal Herria, “through our correspondents ly been awarded one of the prestigious Buber prizes, given they are offered the information they are interested in, all of in Donostia. it according to their requests. Moreover, there are many “Once you get into the web, the contents are displayed debate programs on political and particularly on social in the page and you choose on-line what you wish”, as matters. However, they like best the sports programs”, Gorka Azaola, responsible for Communication of Radio Gorka Azaola points out. Euskadi/Euskadi Irratia, explained to the magazine Euskal In relation to the creation of the web page, the managers Etxeak. of Basque public radio have followed the example of the The director of the program “Basques in the world”, Basque Channel, “where the Basques living abroad were broadcast at one a.m. on Mondays (local time), explains that asked to point out their preferences in order to select the “the broadcasting time has been chosen to reach the target contents to be broadcast. That is the sensible thing to do”, countries, especially most of the Latin American countries, they add. where there are important Basque communities, on Sunday If you want to listen to a Basque voice, wherever you afternoons”. are, whatever your informative needs, you will find what The contents of the programs broadcast by the public you are looking for about the Basques and their world radio of Euskadi from the Basque Country, are made so that connecting with (www.eitb.com). they can be followed by all Basque men and women living abroad, that is why they are broadcast in four languages: Konekta zaitez! Euskera, Spanish, French and English. “As for the program “Basques in the world” – Azaola explains- it means to be a summary of the political, cultural, economic and sports everyday news of the Basque Country. For example, we Nerea Garai
NOVELTIES in the web page of the Donostia Convention Bureau The web page of the Convention Bureau (CB) is being updated and renewed with a significant increase in the contents and information. This improvement also contemplates including direct links with the web pages of the companies belonging to the collaborating partners. On the other hand, the CB has renovated the Congressman’s Guide and the new edition will have a more prac- tical shape and more information for all the congressmen and visitors who come to Donostia on business trips. These pages will include suggestions for field trips and interesting locations as well as orientation maps and a para- graph where the businesses of the partners of the CB will acquire more importance.
24 EUSKADI KEEPS ITS DOORS OPEN TO THE WORLD
DistributionDistribution lists,lists, ELECTRONIC WINDOWS OF EUSKADI
The web (www.euskadi.net) is the insti- tutional web of the Basque Government, a window open to the world to provide information and work as a presentation of Euskadi. At present it is formed by more than 120 information sites, including both generic and specific contents divided in different areas. Through “Noticias de Euskadi” (news from Euskadi) (http://www.euskadi.net/noticias_euskadi) several sub-para- graphs can be reached, such as “la Semana en Euskadi” (the week in Euskadi) and the “Boletín de Noticias de Euskadi” (news bulletin from Euskadi), among others. The first corresponds to a small press dossier where every week the most relevant news from the economic and business fields where Basque companies have taken part, are updated. In the second case, it’s the electronic version of a small monthly bulletin freely distributed by Lehendakaritza, with a wider informative range. Both bulletins, apart from their access through the web . (http://www.euskadi.net/turismobidaiak/) pages, are sent by electronic mail to all the users who have pre- . (http://www.euskadi.net/formación) viously subscribed to this free service. They are called . (http://www.euskadi.net/infogv/publicaciones_c.htm) DISTRIBUTION LISTS. If you prefer more leisurely addresses you can connect In the case of the web (www.euskadi.net) there are, apart with: from the already mentioned above, other distribution lists . (http://www.euskadi.net/euskadi_virtual/indice_c.htm) divided according to the subjects. Apart from the link each bulle- For information about more specifically business matters: tin can have with its own list, there is also a page that gathers all . (http://www.euskadi.net/noticias_euskadi) these electronic services (http://www.euskadi.net/infogv/e-servi- . (http://www.euskadi.net/negocios) cios_c.htm) . (http://www.euskadi.net/infraestru/) The first of the lists is the one referring to the subjects we . (http://www.euskadi.net/economia/) are describing. Entering it, we can visualise the history of all . (http://www.euskadi.net/inves_desa) the mails sent to the subscribers. The users wishing to join only . (http://www.euskadi.net/kat_ind) have to select the option “suscribirse o abandonar la lista (o . (http://www.euskadi.net/helbideak) modificar estado” (subscribe or abandon the list, or modify For subjects specifically related to the Basques in the state). They are asked to give a name, a mail address where the world, and including several other paragraphs: information will be mailed, and they have to chose the desired . (http://www.euskadi.net/euskaldunak) combination of subject and language. Once the request is sent, However, for an accurate idea of the contents of the web, it the administrator will send a confirmation message which must is best to use the “quick index” established at the foot of the be answered by the user in 24 hours. If he does not answer the Home Page, or alternatively, the “seeker”, also in the Home. request will be annulled for safety reasons. From then on, they These electronic windows are open to the four winds, and will receive the messages with the required contents punctually. they will be very helpful for those who want to know the real This service started in 1997 and it has been restructured Euskadi of the future, where we are already living. and promoted since January 2000. The purpose of both subjects For more information, contact Jokin Olaizola Ð Press and is to make the communication of different cultural and techno- Communication Direction logical events that take place in the Basque Country easier; this way our potential is underlined, and at the same time the users Press and Communication Direction interested in these matters are better informed. Telephone - +34 945 018 093 / There are other interesting sites of the web for those who Fax +34 945 018 081 wish to know more about the Basque world. There are some LEHENDAKARITZA specifically addressed to the public living outside Euskadi: Eusko Jaurlaritza Ð Basque Government . (http://www.euskadi.net/herria/) C/ Donostia – San Sebastián, 1 . (http://www.euskadi.net/turismo/sit_c.htm) 01010 VITORIA-GASTEIZ
25 INSCRIPTIONS / DEIALDIAK
GAZTEMUNDU 2001
The Program will take place between 17-09-2001 and 29-09- 2001, in different places in Euskal Herria (Basque Autonomous Com- munity, Nafarroa and Iparralde). All young boys and girls aged between 20 and 30 on 01/01/2001, who have not been selected in prece- ding editions, living outside Euskal Herria and having been members of the Euskal Etxeak (a certificate will be requested) officially acknowled- ged and inscribed in the Registry of Basque Centers for at least three years, will have the opportunity to take part in the Program. However, the maximum number of places available for the present edition is 40. In case the requests exceeded this number, the Direction of Basque Communities would make a selection among them.
Young boys and girls from Bahía Blanca in San Juan de Gaztelugache during their recent visit to Euskadi. PRESENTATION OF APPLICATIONS
The applications to take part in GAZTEMUNDU 2001 PROGRAM the present edition of the Gaztemundu Program will follow the model of application published in the Official Bulletin. The Gaztemundu Program means to be a vehicle for the In this application form the chosen subject shall be indica- expression and identity of the young Basques living all over ted, and more specifically inside it, the specific subject of the the world. Its purpose is to enable the young members of the work suggested. Basque communities to have a direct knowledge of the Bas- These are the specified subjects, although different ones, que Country. They contact organisations, related to these matters can also be suggested: companies and people who work in the a) History of the Basque Center the appli- Basque Country, and this way the relations cant belongs to between the young Basques living inside Gaztemunduk b) History of some other Basque institu- and outside Euskal Herria are promoted. euskal gazteen tion in their country Moreover, the presence of the young c) Experiences / tales of Basque immi- Basques in the Euskal Etxeak is encouraged adierazbide grants / Basque exiles with this program. eta nortasun d) Elaboration of a specific project to Young boys and girls from the Basque bidea izan nahi apply in or from their Basque Center communities abroad enjoy stays in the e) Future projection of the Basque Centers Basque Country and, during their stay du nazioarte f) International relations of the Basque they have presentations of subjects, deba- mailan Centers tes, tourist trips and free time activities. g) Institutional policies of Euskadi in a There are three main subjects: analysis of specific field the situation, the young generations and h) Promotion of the economic relations their link with the Euskal Etxeak and finally the economic between Euskadi and the country of the young participants and industrial relations between Euskadi and the countries i) Basque presence in the Internet where they live. j) Any Basque subject related to the Basque Center
26 INSCRIPTIONS / DEIALDIAK
The work suggestions can take different forms (conferen- ces, presentation of slides, debates, etc.) and they can make reference both to specific cases of each Euskal Etxea and to more global situations. Each person can present more than one. The applications can be presented until February 15, 2001. They must be sent by electronic mail (in Word 6.0 or superior) to the following address : [email protected] The young applicants passing the selection will have to pay 500 US$ for the plane ticket and the rest of the expenses derived of the 15 days of duration of the Program are financed by the Basque Government, except the personal ones and the transference expenses. If this amount was not paid, the applicants would lose the right of taking part in the Program and their place would be annulled in benefit of another applicant. Young Gaztemundu participants enjoying the night. GENERAL CONDITIONS
Geographical criteria will be taken into account in the The breach of these bases or the lack of participation in selection of the candidates, so that the candidates from coun- the programmed activities could bring about that the Gene- tries with only one Basque Center will have their participa- ral Secretary of Foreign Action asks the candidate or his/her tion guaranteed. The countries will be represented by a num- Basque Center to pay the expenses generated by his/her par- ber of selected candidates proportioned to the size of their ticipation in the Program. Basque communities. For more information on the conditions you can address If a selected candidate gives up his or her place, the next the Dirección de Relaciones con las Colectividades Vascas applicant on the waiting list will have the opportunity to take (Calle Navarra, 2. Ð 01007 Vitoria-Gasteiz), or the e-mail part in the Program. address: [email protected]
first volume of a new collection ANDRES DE IRUJO titled “Euskaldunak Munduan – Vascos en el Mundo”. PRIZE However, in the second edi- tion, corresponding to year 2000, The new convocation of the only two works were sent and the ANDRES DE IRUJO prize will be Prize was not awarded. published in the Official Bulletin of One of the possible motives of the Basque Country in the beginning the lack of response to the convo- of the year. cation could be that although it was The Secretary of Presidency of published in the Official Bulletin of the Basque Government wishes to the Basque Country, maybe it was encourage all Basque men and not published correctly. women living abroad to present In order to partially compensate works for the convocation of the this situation, we announce in these Andrés de Irujo Prize of the year pages the impending convocation in 2001. the Official Bulletin of the Basque The main objective of this prize Country. is to compile the experiences of the We wish to echo in these lines Basques living abroad. It was con- the call made from the Secretary of voked for the first time in 1999, and Presidency of the Basque Govern- about 30 works were received that ment, renewing the invitation to the year. potential participants to be on the There were among them works watch for the publication of the of historic compilation, personal experiences, poems, convocation bases in the Official Bulletin. Anyway, the novels, essays; the wide range of subjects of the works official convocation will be sent to every Basque Center was such that the best among them were published in the in due time.
27 NEWS FROM THE BASQUE CENTERS IN
THE BASQUE-NAVARRAN CENTER IN VALENCIA IS 50 YEARS OLD The “Laurak Bat” Euskal Etxea in Valencia has celebrated its 50th anniversary in the Turia capital. It was a great celebra- tion. The present president, Luis Najarro and his team orga- nised all kinds of activities, especially leisure activities to commemorate such a significant date for the Basque men and women who live in Valencia. For this occasion, the Valencia Basque Center published an information leaflet which described the center as a meeting place for leisure and good fellowship. There were also pictures taken in 1950, when the “Peña Laurak Bat” was inaugurated in Valencia, on February 26, by Archbishop Olaetxea and by the founder-president, Mr. Sisamón. The group of txistularis from San Sebastián can also be seen, but nostalgia gives way to present times and the leaflet shows the different exhibitions and activities developed in Valencia, ranging from itinerant collections belonging to the Basque Government to Navarran-Basque representations in the “fallas” of Valencia. The managers of Laurak Bat also inform about the activi- ties developed and offered in the center: conferences and Eus- kera courses, library service, txoko with a kitchen for the members, field trips, bar service and children activities and crafts, tai-chi courses eta abar. ZORIONAK!
THEFT AT THE EUSKAL ETXEA IN MONTEVIDEO
On Saturday 9 of December, 2000, during the night, unknown persons entered the building of the Basque Fraternity “Euskal Erria”, the euskal etxea in Montevideo, Uruguay. The president of the institution, Agurtzane Aguado, revealed that no valuables were stolen, only the record books, and that these people had entered the computing system. The police confirmed, after their first observations, that the authors were not common thieves. This is the second time something like this happens, although last time, according to the infor- mation that reached Basque Diaspora, the thieves did not find those books. The theft represents a great loss to “Euskal Herria” for this way we lose all the information on the institutional activities of the last 17 years, an information which can only interest the institution itself or the people who wish to harm it.
Alberto Sáez Published in DEIA newspaper
28 THE WORLD/EUSKAL ETXEETAKO BERRIAK
BASQUES IN MADRID Euskal Etxea, a meeting place for Basques and for the friends of the Basques
Next year, the Euskal Etxea in Calle Jovellanos, 3 in Madrid will turn 20 years old. It secretary, Donostiarran Pedro Aramburu will spare no effort Ð as usual- in the organisation of the commemorative acts which will try to reach the nearly 3 thousand members of the Basque Center in Madrid. “Usually there are many activities along the year, but there are even more in Christmas”, explains Pedro Aramburu, satisfied with the response of the members of the Euskal Etxea, which he describes as a meeting place for the Basque men and women living in Madrid and for all the friends of Euska- di. On the subject of whether it is difficult to be Basque in Madrid, especially considering the relentless pursuit of the communication media towards anything related to the Basques, Aramburu answers with prudence and precaution. “The same prudence we exert at the Euskal Etxea. We try to be a great family and avoid problems and discussions for politi- cal matters. Prudence tells us to function as a group disregarding any political inclination, although certainly personally each one has its own opinions. Precisely the scrupulous respect towards personal political orientations is the base of the harmonic functioning of the Basque Center in Madrid”, Pedro Aramburu adds. The president enthusiastically tells us about some of the activities of the Euskal Etxea: painting and photograph exhi- bitions “very successful”, txistu courses, mus championship, cookery courses, field trips, monthly conferences, they are connected to Euskal Telebista (ETB) so that the followers of the Real and the Athletic can watch the matches… “We also have a mountain group for grown ups and another one for txikis. And an Orfeón which delights all those who listen to them”. But for the Euskal Etxea in Madrid their most important work is maintaining Basque culture. “We have a library with over 9 thousand books, specialised in Basque subjects, and we also promote Euskera courses, attended by more than 180 students. Now we are in touch with HABE to give courses through the Internet”, Pedro Aramburu points out, for him the important thing is to bring the inhabitants of Madrid into the Basque Center. “We collaborate with Associations in Madrid, exchanging information and activities. This way we contribute to make people know what we Basques are really like”. ZORIONAK!
HOMAGE TO DOCTOR XABIER MUGARRA IN (http://elkano.deusto.es/cursos/formulario2.htm) VENEZUELA For more information on the course, its description, Doctor Xabier Mugarra has been honored in Venezuela, methods, requirements, program, etc, contact the following his name has been given to a new ward of the Paediatric Hos- Internet address: pital Niños de los Ríos, for the professional labour done in (http://elkano.deusto.es/cursos/for401_esp_syl.html) their favor. This is the first time this is done in Venezuela This time the course is offered in Spanish and the places during the lifetime of the person who receives the homage. are limited because of the description of the course. The directors of the course plan to offer it in English by the end of year 2001. The material is already being translated and re- ON-LINE COURSE IN THE INTERNET ON elaborated. The University of Deusto will extend a certificate “HISTORY OF THE BASQUE INSTITUTIONS” to all those who take the course satisfactorily. Do not hesitate An on-line course through the Internet on the “History of to request more information sending an e-mail to the follo- Basque Institutions” will be developed between March 5 and wing addresses: June 6, 2001. This course, which has already been developed successfully during the spring of 2000, has been elaborated Rosa Buendía ([email protected]) by the Institute of Basque Studies of the University of Deus- Dr. Aitor Esteban ([email protected]) to in collaboration with the Basque Government. Despacho 265 Ð Telephone ÐUrrutizkina: 944139000. The official inscription of the course is open until next *2587; fax: 944206704 February 20, and the cost of the inscription amounts to 100 Director del Curso “Historia de las Instituciones Vascas” US$. The Basque Government will reimburse 70 dollars to each of the inscribed pupils, through the application done at Facultad de Derecho y Facultad de FICE the corresponding Basque Center. The inscription can be Universidad de Deusto Ð Deustuko Unibertsitatea done through the form which can be found in the following Avda de las Universidades 24. Internet address: 48007 Bilbao
29 BASQUE MEN AND WOMEN IN THE BIG APPLE
JOSU JON IMAZ IN THE NEW YORK EUSKAL ETXEA
like to talk. There were also Iñaki Bakedano, Unbelin Aramburu, Itziar Altica, the president Zachary Berhan… They showed the Basque delegation and the Minister their small but well-equipped library and the rest of facilities of the Basque Center. Josu Jon Imaz took advantage of the opportunity to ask them about their problems and about the informative and logistic support his department could pro- vide. Itziar and Rosa, two of the alma mater of this Euskal Etxea, explained all about the functioning and activities of the Basque Center. “We are between 200 and 300 members and although the Euskal Etxea is not open every day, we try to keep in touch with all Basque members living in New York. It is difficult, though, for distances are big and we live in different areas of the city, but in specific dates such as the Aberri Eguna, this house is open to celebrate the event”, Itziar explains to us. She is married to a Japanese who loves Euskera, whom she met one summer when she decided to go to England to improve her English. Itziar told us something that happened to her husband The Basque delegation with some members of the New York Euskal Etxea. during the last marathon, which was attended by many The Industry, Commerce and Tourism Minister of the Basque Basques. “He was wearing a T-shirt which read on the Government, although his agenda for the USA trip was certainly back nik hitz egiten euskera. When they saw his oriental features, tight, did not want to miss the opportunity to visit the Euskal Etxea they thought he had made a mistake with the T-shirt. He explained in New York, which is in Brooklyn, and where he talked with the that he had not, that his wife was Basque and talked Euskera”. Basque men and women living in that great city. Itziar has all her family in Euskadi, where she goes frequently so On November 16, before the presentation of the tourist offer of that her ama and her sister Olatz, congress hostess, can see her Euskadi in the Solomon Guggenheim Museum, Josu Jon Imaz, children Aritz, Itxaso and Ibar, grow. accompanied by the Tourism Vice-Minister, Koro Garmendia, the Although it is difficult to maintain the essence of being - Director of Communication of the Department, Luis A. Aramberri Basque in New York, all the members of the Brooklyn Euskal “Amatiño” and other members of the delegation, went to the Eus- Etxea, which was created in 1913 and which had earlier been a kal Etxea. Iñaki and Rosa Aberasturi were expecting them there. church, define themselves as Basques. “We are very proud of it, These siblings who are second-generation Basques, talked with we try to compensate for the negative image of Euskadi that hits Imaz in an Euskera many of the Basques living in Euskadi would the news. This is our contribution” ✄ SUBSCRIPTION BULLETIN
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30 INDUSTRIAL, ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL NEWS FROM EUSKADI
Basque naval industry: a Guascor, elected best company of the year by the Brazilian Chamber of Commerce turnover of 185 billion The Basque company Guascor has received in Sao Paulo the Company Prize of the year, Basque naval industry as a awarded by the Chamber of Commerce of Brazil. This award, which was won over 240 whole made last year a turnover companies, has the purpose of rewarding the work of the companies, entities or professio- of 185 billion pesetas. About nals who contribute to the tightening of the relations between Brazil and the Spanish State. 70% corresponding to exports, Guascor guarantees the electricity supply to 82 towns which are isolated because of the according to the Foro Maritimo orography of the states of Acre, Pará and Rondonia, in an extension of over 3 thousand Vasco. The percentage of export kilometers along the Amazon. The value of the contracts signed in relation to this project of Basque naval industry, which amount to 151 billion pesetas during the next twenty years. Moreover, Guascor will invest employed last year about 14.500 in Brazil 24 billion pesetas. workers, is similar to the export of the whole State last year, NEWS FROM EUSKADI which amounted to about 85% of General information the turnover. Apparently the pre- (http://www.euskadi.net) sence of Basque auxiliary Basque industrial catalogue industry is growing increasingly (http://www1.euskadi.net/kat_ind/indice_c.asp) The foreign activity of Euska- in the foreign markets “with a (http://www.euskadi.net/boletin eusk/indice_c.htm) di grows competitive offer and an advanced The postal subscription is free Exports increased by 19.5% technological level”. Weekly information about Euskadi during the third quarter of year http://servicios.ejie.es/listserv/l-euskadi-noticias.html 2000, which elevated the accu- mulated rate to 16%. At the Gamesa signs a 2.495 million contract to supply aerogenerator blades same time imports increased The Basque company Gamesa has signed a contract of 2.495 million pesetas to supply, until until almost 35%. If we count out the end of 2001, 600 blades for aerogenerators to the Danish company Vestas. This order the export of energetic products is part of the equipment of 200 aerogenerators that Vestas will install in the USA. The new (+48,3%), the non-energetic contract includes the manufacture and supply of 23 meter long blades, designed and manu- increased by 17,9%. In relation factured by Gamesa Eólica, which is the third word supplier of aerogenerators and the to import, a rate of 43,9% was second company in the sector in relation to industrial capacity. reached. During the third quar- ter of 2000 the rate of coverage Rumania requests to Bilbomática the of export on import was 109,5%, supply of medical and hospital manage- fourteen points under that of the ment software same period in 1999. As a Bilbomática, a Basque company which result, the commercial balance creates management software could beco- amounts to 40 billion pesetas. me a sanitation consultant for the Rumanian Foreign commerce reached as Health Ministry, after this institution requested to the European Commission the participation a whole 883.378 million pesetas of the company in a program for the development and 2.637.122 in the first nine of the medical and hospital management soft- months of the year. ware for the mentioned European country. The agreement between Bilbomática and the Ministry has been closed recently through a commercial presentation organised by GAIA in Rumania.
The Basque company Megaplast will manufacture components for Mercedes and Renault for 1.500 million The Alavan company Megaplast has signed a contract of 1.500 million pesetas for the manufacture of injection parts for Mercedes and Renault, according to the information published in the magazine Estrategia Empresarial. The company located in Amurrio plans to start the production in 2002 and these parts will be placed in the Mercedes Vito Van and the new Megane model of Renault. Megaplast is a company belonging to the Möller group, dedicated to plastic injection. More specifically, they manufacture coating elements and injection parts for the inside of the vehicles. Their specialties are overinjection, tissue injection and bimatter or mul- ticomponents.
The new terminal of the airport of Bilbao has been inaugurated Last November 14 the new terminal of the air- port of Bilbao, designed by the prestigious archi- tect from Valencia, Santiago Calatrava, was inaugurated. The terminal, with a futurist look, with ample and luminous spaces, has curved shapes and great glass surfaces. A great entrance door for a city which expects from the future, which is already today, the best prospects. LEADING PEACE AND MODERNITY
Over 400 people from the worlds of politics, business and citizen movements, crowded the Gernika Assembly hall in response to Lehendakari Juan José Ibarretxe’s initiative in favor of Peace and good fellowship. With their warmth they supported the summons which, devoid of any politically oriented ideas, wanted only to take position in favor of the respect of human rights by all citizens, walking along the path of peace in the scrupulous respect of the rights of everybody.