Issue 63 Year 2004
Aguirre, centennial of the first Basque President Issue 63 Year 2004 AURKIBIDEA / TABLE OF CONTENTS
GAURKO GAIAK / CURRENT EVENTS: Lehendakari Aguirre Centennial 3 • Opening letter Juan José Ibarretxe, Lehendakaria 4 • A passionate life Aguirre, centennial of the first Basque 6 • The journey of no return President 8 • A politician with vision 10 • Aguirre, soccer player and concerned businessman 12 • Pioneer of the idea of Europe 15 • Activities for a centennial
ERREPORTAJEAK / ARTICLES
16 • Ikerketak/Research: Basque exiles in Uruguay Issue 63 Year 2004 18 • A country on the move: Hiru.com, a gateway to knowledge EGILEA / AUTHOR Eusko Jaurlaritza-Kanpo 20 • The latest from Euskadi: Summer at Harremanetarako Idazkaritza Basque universities Nagusia 21 • Compensation for Franco victims Basque Government - General Secretariat for Foreign Action 22 • Jose Ina Etxeberria, Broadcaster for Euskadi Gaztea C/ Navarra, 2 01007 VITORIA-GASTEIZ 24 • Euskal gazteak munduan. Maite Zabala Telephone: (+34) 945 01 7900 eta Iban Ubarretxena [email protected]
DIRECTOR Josu Legarreta Bilbao EUSKAL ETXEAK / BASQUE CENTERS
COORDINATION AND 26 • Basque-Venezuelans gather in Galdakao EDITORIAL OFFICE A. Zugasti (ELEA Komunikazioa) 27 • New Basque centers in process of recognition 28 • New website for EENY ARGAZKIAK / PHOTOGRAPHS Nationalism Archive of the Sabino Arana Foundation and family of José Antonio de Aguirre BERRIAK / WHAT’S NEW ELEA Archive 30 • Laburrean/News briefs ARGITARATZAILEA / EDITOR
Eusko Jaurlaritzaren Argitalpen Zerbitzu Nagusia CUISINE Basque Government Central Publication Service 31 • Isaac Salaberria [Restaurante Fagollaga] Slow braised tuna with ‘marmitako’ sauce and coriander LAYOUT AND DESIGN Oihana Pagola
INPRIMATZAILEA / PRINTING Xxxxxxxxxxx ISSN: 1579-4210 LEHENDAKARI AGUIRRE CENTENNIAL
Aurkezpena Opening letter
JUAN JOSÉ IBARRETXE Lehendakaria
osé Antonio de corporate operations. Aguirre earned a Aguirre’s vision of prominent place society and economic Jfor himself in the solidarity, of the history of our country. relationship between This well deserved capitalism and the distinction lies not only in workforce, has left an his political contri- important mark on butions, but also for Basque nationalism, a having taken on the point of reference which enormous responsibility should be neither that came with being forgotten nor ignored. Lehendakari in difficult Aguirre’s life was full of times shrouded by war trials and tribulations. and exile. He holds a There is probably special place in our nothing worse for a memory for his open politician committed to disposition, his flexibility, his people and nation his humanity and his than to feel helpless as sociability. We cannot fascism and intolerance talk about our recent forced himself and history without talking thousands of his fellow about Aguirre. It is Basques far from their essential to read his Aguirre, our first country, their and hopes books and writings in and ambitions. Forced order to understand the Lehendakari exile has a dramatic terrible events that took effect on a nation.This is place in our country only the drama that Aguirre a few short decades ago. disappear. He was an untiring experienced as yet another Basque, Like many others, he was a man athlete, an extraordinary husband yet another supporter of the ahead of his time,a person who knew and father, and was fully committed Spanish Republic forced to leave how to look beyond the horizon of his to society. Politically he was his home to take refuge in a foreign own lifetime. committed as a nationalist and a land. It couldn’t hurt to recall that Although better known for his politician; personally, as a man and as Mayor of Getxo, Aguirre was one political facet, Lehendakari businessman. It may seem trivial of the presidents of Corporación Aguirre’s life was infinitely richer but the fact that he was a company Municipal, which proclaimed the and more noteworthy. He was executive who proposed distributing Republic in Euskadi. I often ask deeply concerned with education, profits among workers was quite myself what our country and knowing only too well that an revolutionary. Even today it may society would have been like if the uneducated nation steeped in Franco dictatorship hadn’t very well behoove us to rethink this ignorance would be condemned to destroyed freedom? perspective on business and
Issue 63 Year 2004 CURRENT EVENTS 3 osé Antonio de Aguirre Lecube passed away in Paris A passionate life on March 22nd 1960. His funerals, held in both the JFrench capital and Donibane-Lohitzune (Saint Jean de Luz),were the scenes of extraordinary demonstrations Gizon atsegina eta baikorra izan zen Jose Antonio of mourning,support and recognition. Agirre eta Lekube, Euskadiko lehen Lehendakaria. Gaztetatik nabarmendu zitzaion politikarako Aguirre was born on March 6th 1904 in the heart of the grina: gogor defendatu zuen euskaldunen kausa historic center of Bilbao, next to the Santos Juanes eta bere ikuspegi aurreratuak Europan eta church.He was the eldest of ten children born to Teodoro munduan kokatu zuen Euskadi. Aguirre and Bernardina Lecube,a couple whose families hailed from Gipuzkoa.Aguirre’s father was a lawyer and Jose Antonio Agirrek ibilbide politiko oso zabala part-owner of a chocolate factory, thus enabling the landu zuen: Getxoko Alkatea izan zen, couple to live quite comfortably.Teodoro Aguirre took Parlamentaria Errepublikaren Parlamentuan eta part in Sabino Arana’s legal defense in the proceedings horren barruan Euskadiko Estatutua negoziatu brought against him for having congratulated the zuen eta 1936 urriaren 7an aukeratu zuten President of the United States for granting Cuba its Euskadiko Lehendakari, lehen Eusko Jaurlaritza independence. osatu zuelarik. Gerra, erbestea eta garai zailak ezagutu zituen hala ere beti Euskal Herriaren eta The parents of the man who would become the first Lehendakari were native Basque speakers,enrolling their demokraziaren alde jardun zuen. Agirre son for his first few years of schooling at the first ikastola Lehendakaria 1960ko martxoaren 22an hil zen. to open in Bilbao,located in Plaza Nueva.There he studied Gizatasun handikoa, Jose Antonio Agirre politiko music, a passion that was to accompany him throughout irekia izan zen eta beti gizalegez jokatu zuen, bai his lifetime.He was also a top-notch athlete,excelling in a Euskadin bai erbestean, nahiz garai nahaspilatsu variety of sports such as rowing,pelota and,most notably, eta zailetan bizitzea tokatu. Abertzalea eta soccer.He even played with Athletic de Bilbao, the soccer humanista, Agirre Lehendakariak ikuspegi team that took the Spanish title. kosmopolita eta irekia izan zuen, Europaren zalea, José Antonio de Aguirre studied Law,but had to divide his Euskadik Europan bere lekua eraiki behar zuela time between studies and family obligations. His father uste zuen. XX. mendearen berrogei eta berrogeita passed away when José Antonio was 16 years old, and hamar hamarkadetan XXI. mendean indarrean being the eldest son, he had to help his energetic, bright jarraitzen duten planteamenduak eskaini zituen. mother take care of the family business.
4 CURRENT EVENTS Issue 63 Year 2004 2
1
4
3
1. José Antonio de Aguirre, at the left-hand side of the picture, with sisters Maria Teresa and Encarna, brothers Juan Mari and Ignacio and his mother, Bernardina Lecube. 2. In Rio Grande, Brazil, October 9th 1941. 3. José Antonio de Aguirre and Mari Zabala’s wedding on July 8th 1933 held at the Basilica of Begoña. 4. Aguirre with his children Aintzane, Joseba and Iñaki, and 5 wife, Mari, in Saint Jean de Luz. 5. Rally in Estella on June 14th 1931.
After the proclamation of the Second Republic, Aguirre During World War II,Aguirre lived clandestinely in Europe was elected Mayor of Getxo and later Deputy to the and managed to escape the Nazi siege.He took exile in the Spanish Cortes in every legislature, becoming the leading United States with his wife, Mari Zabala, and his children architect and spearhead of the Basque Statute of Aintzane and Joseba. Autonomy. On October 7th 1936 he was named Lehendakari and created the first Basque Government Leader in war and in exile, José Antonio de Aguirre lived with representatives from the parties active in the Popular through difficult years for freedom,working tirelessly for Front:Socialist Party,Communist Party,Republican Left, the cause of democracy,Euskadi and the freedoms of the National Basque Action and Basque Nationalist Party. Basque people.
Issue 63 Year 2004 GAURKO GAIAK 5 AGIRRE LEHENDAKARIAREN MENDEURRENA
n July 1937,José Antonio de Aguirre was forced to leave Euskadi. This marked the beginning of an odyssey replete with incidents and calamities that took him through Europe and the Americas. His family followed suit, undergoing tragic and at times I 17 inconceivable situations. It would be a journey of no return, ending with the untimely death of the Lehendakari in Paris in 1960.
1937- In August the companies of Basque soldiers or gudaris abandoned the last strip of Basque territory through Trucios, Bizkaia,surrounded by Franco’s troops.Aguirre drew up a farewell 16 manifesto expressing his faith in the future of the Basque people.He then went to Santander and flew to Biarritz on the Negus, a plane 15 owned by the Basque army. In Biarritz he met up with his wife and daughter, Aintzane, who had been evacuated when the Basque Government issued a decree for all women, children and elderly to leave Euskadi A few days later Aguirre set up shop in Catalonia to head the Basque Government out of a villa in Pedralbes in the outskirts of Barcelona.
1939- On February 4th he crossed the border together with Companys, the President of Catalonia. Joining them were Manuel Irujo, July Jauregui and Catalonian leaders Josep Tarradellas and Nicolau d’Olwer.The seat of the Basque Government was established 11 on 11Marceau Avenue.From there the Lehendakari began the task Disguised behind mustache and of seeing to the needs of the more than 150,000 Basque refugees. glasses, Aguirre spent most of his years in exile going by the name 12 When the second world war was declared, the Basque Government 13 of José Andrés Álvarez Lastra. 14 took the initiative to offer its collaboration with France and England. STAGES OF EXILE: 1. Santander; 2. Biarritz; 3. Barcelona; 4. Paris; 5. La Panne (Belgium); 6. Antwerp; 7. Hamburg; 8. BerlIn; 9. Sassnitz (Germany);
1940- On May 8th Aguirre left Paris for La Panne, a Belgian city located fifteen kilometers from Dunkirk and three from the French 1941- On January 7th Aguirre took a train to Hamburg and began to border,in order for his family living in Lovaina at the time to be able record his impressions in a diary. Although he had no intention of to see his children Aintzane and Joseba, the latter born in 1938.The publishing his writings, the manuscript crossed several borders family visit put them in the middle of one of the most important concealed in either a sock or a doll’s head.It would eventually become battles of early World War II, and from that point the Lehendakari part of another more carefully written diary included in De Guernica lost contact with nationalist leaders.The Nazi offensive against a Nueva York pasando por Berlín (From Gernika to New York via France and Belgium forced José Antonio de Aguirre and the group of Berlin),a book covering his experiences until May 28th 1942.This was Basques accompanying him to cross the border on foot, dodging the loneliest and most harrowing part of his exile. From Hamburg, bombs,and make their way to the last French town on the coast,Bray Aguirre traveled to Berlin, where he suffered great hardships: "The Dunes, where they would escape by sea. One of the bomb attacks streets are covered in snow. I can feel the damp through my old worn killed José Anonio’s sister Encarna,and his wife,Mari,was detained out shoes... I had a cheap meal.Then I walked through the streets of and accused of being a spy. Returning to La Panne, Aguirre decided Berlin for nearly two hours looking at shop windows...This is the story not to put the rest of the group at risk,traveling alone to Brussels and of a poor man who lived like a rich man, or at least that’s how it then on to Berlin. He thought that the only place where the Nazis seemed." wouldn’t find him was right in the heart of Germany. Meanwhile, he encouraged the rumor to be spread that he was in London. During those months of political inactivity Aguirre took refuge in reading: "... mainly thoughtful reading that makes me consider On June 1st Aguirre made it to Brussels by car with a Catalonian problems and compare certain things to our own situation. This couple and a Basque Jesuit, taking refuge in the convent of San distracts me, shifting my attention from becoming too absorbed in Francisco Javier.From there he took a train to Antwerp,while his family intense worries." The pages from his diary written at that time reflect settled in Lovaina.The Panamanian consul,Guardia Jaén,provided him his state of mind during the seemingly endless wait for documents with false documentation stating that he was José Andrés Alvarez which would allow him to leave the country,coupled with a lack of new Lastra (with first and last initials coinciding with his own), from his family:"This lack of communication is anxiety,imposition and Panamanian citizen, single, with a PhD in Law and landowner in the slow torment... things are taking so long. If only wishing and hoping province of Chiriqui.Aguirre grew a beard and started wearing glasses were enough to make things happen,just think of the amount of things to help conceal his identity.With permission from the Gestapo itself,he I could do." was allowed to travel to Germany. However,before leaving Belgium, Aguirre decided to visit his family in Lovaina,where he spent Christmas On March 1st Aguirre’s wife and children finally made it to Berlin.In with his wife,children,mother and two brothers. his diary he refers to his wife as señora Guerra (Mrs.War), la viuda
6 Issue 63 Year 2004 LEHENDAKARI AGUIRRE CENTENNIAL
"Fantastic welcome... My countrymen are so very dear.I take off my hat to all of them who suffer so greatly." He was received in a solemn session of the Parliament, and was given a reception in his
10 honor by the President of the Republic of Uruguay, General Baldomir,attended by the Minister of Interior and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. On October 16th Aguirre disembarked in the 9 7 Argentinean capital, Buenos Aires, where he was also received by 6 8 5 cheering crowds, and the President of the nation, Roberto Ortiz. 4 Washington recommended that the Lehendakari’s arrival be carried in as discrete a fashion as possibly,via Trinidad,Puerto Rico and Miami,thus obliging him to travel by plane in a series of stages. 1 2 His wife and children sailed directly to New York. Aguirre took a train from Miami to Philadelphia and another one to the Big Apple, 3 arriving on November 6th.The Aguirre family established their residence in White Plains, New York, where Aguirre worked as a History professor at Columbia University.The family remained in New York until 1946. During this time Aguirre took a number of politically motivated trips.The most difficult part of his exile had come to an end. The journey 1942- In May Aguirre finished his book De Guernica a Nueva York pasando por Berlín. He visited sever Latin American countries in the summer and fall: Guatemala, Panama, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay,Venezuela, Colombia, Brazil, of no return Bolivia, the Dominican Republic and Cuba. He gave conferences at different universities and took advantage of his stays to organize Basque exile communities in Latin American and to 10. Göteborg (Sweden); 11. Rio de Janeiro; 12. Rio Grande (Brazil); 13. Montevideo; spread the ideals of Basque nationalism,democracy and equality. 14. Buenos Aires; 15. Puerto Rico; 16. Miami: 17. New York; 18. Paris. His third child,Iñaki,was born in New York in 1943.
(the widow) or María,who was traveling with false documents as a 1945- Aguirre flew to Paris aboard a US military plane. He also window born in Mérida,Venezuela.The ultimate goal was to go to traveled to London, where he met with the Basque Government the United States, but the family had to travel in several stages in Office and with different figures from the Catholic Church. order to get there. On May 23rd they went by car to Sassnitz, the last German port,where they boarded a ship to Göteborg,Sweden. 1946- This year marked Aguirre’s definitive return to Europe. "I breathed a sigh of relieve once we were on the Swedish vessel. After several months in Saint Jean de Luz, he settled in Paris. Free at last! (...) Our documents were strange at all the hotels we During this time he took a number of trips to Latin America. He checked into.Nowhere did it show that this widow and this doctor, inaugurated the new headquarters for the Basque center in with two children in tow,were married." Caracas,and visited both Havana and Mexico.On July 3rd 1951 the French Government gave the Basque Government 48 hours to The family remained in Sweden until July 31st, when they were move out of its Marceau Avenue headquarters since the building provided with the necessary passage and documents to embark was to be turned over the Franco regime.The Lehendakari moved on the merchant ship Vasaholm, which would take them across into a small villa on Singer Street, with funding provided by the Atlantic, but to Rio de Janeiro instead of the United States. Basque refugees residing in Latin America. On September 22nd Aguirre wrote in his diary: "Wasting so much time makes me nervous because in addition to spending a 1954- spring Aguirre went back to visit the Basque communities lot of money living out of hotels,it has also been a long time since in Venezuela, Mexico, Havana, New York and Washington.The I’ve been able to make contact with my countrymen,which is so following year he revisited Uruguay, Argentina and Chile. In important. (...) I am dragging out any possible solution or at Santiago de Chile he attended the First Christian Democrat least the chance to solve some of the terrible problems facing International Congress in Latin America. Basque families and countrymen living in Belgium, France, Euskadi,in Spanish prisons and even in Africa." On October 3rd 1956- The Basque World Congress was celebrated in Paris they boarded the Itapé bound for Rio Grande do Sul, the between September 23rd and October 1st. At the event the Brazilian state on the Uruguayan border,whose capital city is Lehendakari explained the work the Basque Government had Rio Grande. A week later they took a train to the border with carried out from the time of its creation on October 7th 1936. Uruguay and made their way to Montevideo.This was when Aguirre stopped being José Andrés Alvarez Lastra and took on 1960- On March 22nd Aguirre died suddenly in Paris from a his real persona as Lehendakari.Awaiting him was the press,the heart attack. Five days later he was buried in the Saint Jean de Basque colony in exile and a spate of tributes. Luz cemetery.
Issue 63 Year 2004 7 AGIRRE LEHENDAKARIAREN MENDEURRENA
A politician with vision Jose Antonio Agirre Europako ideiaren Iñaki Aguirre Arizmendi bere aintzindarietariko bat dela esan testuetan murgildu da eta bere daiteke baina horretaz aparte, osabaren ibilbidea ulertarazi dezakeen politikazalea zen, barru-barruan entresaka egiten saiatu da: ondorengo politika berea sentitzen zuen gizon lerro hauetan, beraz, ikerketa lan horietakoa. Eusko Jaurlaritzako Kanpo honetan jasotako testu Harremanetarako idazkari nagusia eta interesgarrietako batzuk laburbiltzen Agirre Lehendakariaren iloba den saiatu da aldizkaria.
[IÑAKI AGUIRRE ARIZMENDI, SECRETARY GENERAL FOR FOREIGN ACTION, BASQUE GOVERNMENT] osé Antonio de Aguirre’s European vision at a time has the rare privilege of never having argued with when European institutions were only a pipe anyone. Not with this man or that man or any man. No Jdream, his participation in politics and his active one. I can visit the different fractions into which the role in the international Christian Democratic republican cause is sadly divided and maintain contacts movement, coupled with forced exile, put him in a with all of them. And I plan on keeping them up. In privileged position to become involved in some of the these times, what triumphs in the chancelleries is the new European tendencies created after the second truth. Don’t ever think of anything without it." world war. Iñaki Aguirre, Secretary General for Foreign Action of the Basque Government and nephew To Aguirre the approach to nationalism as a force for of Lehendakari Aguirre, takes an in-depth look at the change and constant progress in defending the freedom rich biography of the first Lehendakari. of a nation and is therefore a struggle against absolutist concepts in general. In this sense, although His world of personal relations in the Basque, Spanish its origins go back earlier than the nineteenth century, and international arenas; his intense activity as Mayor it is then that "the phase of liberation of people who of Getxo, while at the same time spearheading the pro- want to live their lives got underway, a process that Statute movement among Basque Town Councils; his continues in this century and which will not end until involvement in the Spanish Cortes in Madrid and later justice is recognized for all those who see themselves his role as Lehendakari; his affiliation and as a people or nation with the legitimate desire to participation in the federalist movements of Europe; contribute to building a common culture and heritage his thoughts on human values, general politics and (...). Such a wide array of peoples contributes to particularly the future of Europe; his organizational adding color to human splendor (...). The happiness of skills and ability to create a government above and future society is dependent on solving this situation." beyond partisan ideologies – although not without But without excluding anyone, without egotistic problems: these attributes are just some of the demands that are only benefit the Basque people or reasons why today Aguirre is considered one the most certain political tendencies, because "if the final highly accepted figures in recent history among the governmental acts are based on parties and not people, Basque people. the difficulties seen so far will only become greater."
Along with his writings, are the activities he carried His concept of the task of politics is therefore out and his surroundings, the "I and my circumstances" universalistic: "we want freedom for our people, but we coined by Spanish philosopher Ortega y Gasset. also want – whether free or deprived of freedom, but Sometimes these were local or regional, other times much more so if free – to open our arms up to all men, national or even international. Therefore, I am going to to all peoples in Humanity"; in another section he concentrate on the more outstanding aspects of his wrote: "Our nationalism has to be universal if we don’t personality and his political philosophy. In this sense, want it to become egotistic and stingy and become the perhaps the first thing to look at is his own public cause of disputes between peoples." confession regarding his personality "(...) because I’m not the type of person to say one thing here and State and suprastate another thing there. (...) I never try to avoid responding to accusations made about me." He went on If I had to summarize the thought of José Antonio de to say: "I have just come back from visiting all of the Aguirre in three phrases, they would be "Basque unity," nations in America and I may be the only person who "ability to decide one’s own future" and "defending
8 CURRENT EVENTS Issue 63 Year 2004 LEHENDAKARI AGUIRRE CENTENNIAL
But for José Antonio de Aguirre this decentralizing trend was not exclusive to Third World peoples or others aspiring to a greater amount of freedom or even independence. In this changing world the problem was no longer "only one affecting backward peoples, but also advanced and progressive nations, which see no other solution for their future health and safety than to join a common supranational organization." He went on to say that "this path toward unity means the necessary cession of certain powers which correspond to the sovereignty of each state. Such a cession faces violent Pictured above with Frenchman Robert Schuman, one of the founders of modern Europe. Berlin, March 23rd 1956 opposition in sectors which thrive on the memory of past democracy around the world," the latter understood as glories as if history were stuck in those times. A small a common right with room for improvement, as is Europe, so-called despite the one hundred and seventy everything else in this world. million inhabitants, came into being to overcome these difficulties. In Aguirre’s view "Our position has always Looking at the present, I would venture to say that been decidedly in favor of European integration, and perhaps the most important thing is not defending the within our possibilities we have collaborated from the sense of identity, but rather a combination between this beginning in bodies created to promote Europe, (...). sense and the ability to plan society with other people’s However, like all problems associated with trying to sense of identity, creating sociopolitical structures for restore freedom, there is no better solution than one’s attaining personal and social aspirations. Champion of own efforts," without waiting for "I don’t know what universal principles, José Antonio de Aguirre kind of illusory help." denounced the attitude often held by major powers which see rights according to their geopolitical José Antonio de Aguirre firmly believed that any interests, or nations that defend the rights of peoples political problem had an appropriate solution as long far from their borders and not those of the peoples as there was political and popular will. He felt that within their own countries. "(...) The malice or nothing was unchangeable, that nothing other than convenience of powerful states forces all of those noble people had absolute value and that any political justice and rights principles to be applied outside of structure was viable. In his words "In a Europe that their own borders", or only the rights of states created wishes for peace and wants to have its own already or granting such states more rights than they organization, it is inconceivable for there to be grant their own nationalities, or partial rights, like the oppressed peoples among its nations. Federation is, right "to cultural autonomy, when there is no possible therefore, a path to freedom because it gives rise to a cultural autonomy without the corresponding political commitment among equals. When significant changes autonomy." To José Antonio de Aguirre, "the problem are introduced to the old concept of state sovereignty, of nationalities will be resolved only with political political philosophies geared to the future strive to freedom, that is, with by government itself and by the sanctify and bring together the national freedom of recognition of fundamental rights: the right to peoples making it compatible with participation in the security." Therefore, he felt that "the problem of broadest areas of political and economic activity. nationalities should, together with the problem of Guaranteeing the future of nations, particularly the people and their rights, enter in the positive smaller ones, lies precisely in these larger suprastate international arena, (...) omitted until now because the structures (...). They must leave the domestic mere suggestion enraged countries interested in framework behind and enter into the international denying the reality of the problems...". arena, serving the interests of the citizens."
Issue 63 Year 2004 GAURKO GAIAK 9 AGIRRE LEHENDAKARIAREN MENDEURRENA
Standing fourth from left. Soccer player and concerned businessman
[IÑAKI ANASAGASTI]
t is not easy to find someone who knew José José Antonio began playing with the Athletic Club de Antonio de Aguirre when he played soccer for Bilbao in the 1923-24 season. That was the Athletic of Athletic de Bilbao. More than seventy-five years Vidal, Sesúmaga, Lazarra, Rousse, Acebo…. "It is very Ihave passed under the bridge since than. I called difficult, Mr. Aguirre, to leap from the front line of the Ibaigane, the company that owns the team, to ask them Athletic Club to the front line of the Basque-Navarrre for the name of the club’s longest- team which has fallen upon you, Sir, to standing member, but since I don’t have lead." Socialist leader Indalecio Prieto that information yet, I decided to look addressed José Antonio de Aguirre at the through my notes, now somewhat of a Spanish Cortes in 1931 with this cutting treasure. remark. Years later Prieto would rectify his rather unfortunate statement, José Antonio followed in the footsteps of acknowledging that Aguirre had managed the young athletes who came out of the very successfully to make the leap. Jesuit school in Orduña and were readily slotted into positions on the non- This is just one of the many anecdotes professional teams of the period. That’s connected to the first Lehendakari’s why it was so easy for Aguirre to sign up experience with the Athletic de Bilbao with Athletic de Bilbao. A number of soccer club, one of the least known facets
young people who studied at the Orduña Athletic de Bilbao soccer card, of his life. school also played on the same team, October 1921 including Laka, Billabaso, Antón and On July 19th 1921 Aguirre became a Nacho Allende, and José Legarreta. card carrying member of the soccer federation for the Vizcaia Region, playing with Athletic de Bilbao during Aguirre played several games with Athletic’s first the 1924-25 and 1925-26 seasons. José Antonio was a team. His technique was good, a little slow but with midfielder, lined up with another man named Aguirre, excellent footwork, a trait common among students known as "Aguirre-Begoña." Another one of his from Orduña, where they would practice the game Athletic de Bilbao teammates was Indalecio Prieto’s against a wall or ball court with squads of half a meter son, which helps explain the special affection the or more. Bilbao-born socialist leader felt toward Aguirre.
10 CURRENT EVENTS Issue 63 Year 2004 LEHENDAKARI AGUIRRE CENTENNIAL
View of the family business on Travesía de Tívoli in Bilbao.
During Aguirre’s phase with Athletic de Bilbao, the team was going through a period of transition, failing to take a single title until 1930 – the previous title had been won in 1923. However, during this period new players including "Travieso," Carmelo Goyenechea and Félix Sesumaga came on board, taking the place of the Hurtado brothers, the Belausteguigoitia brothers and Rafael Moreno, alias "Pichichi" who had passed away.
In his writings, historian Hugh Thomas wrote that "Jose Antonio came from a middle-class Carlist family and owed much of his fame to his good looks and his Aguirre had a rich and intense life, with friends and relationships from budding talent as a player for the Athletic de Bilbao the Basque Country, Spain and around the world. soccer club." Dulzura," "Caracas" and "Chocolates de Aguirre," each When he stopped actively playing soccer, Aguirre holding a 25% share in the business. José Antonio was continued to be a great fan of Athletic de Bilbao. In named Chairman when he reached legal age; his 1933, then a deputy to the Spanish Cortes, he attended brother Juan Mari, moved into the position four years the championship league game played in Madrid and later. José Antonio became very busy with his work, even spent a few hours at the hotel where Athletic de especially in the area of public order. Nevertheless, he Bilbao was staying to visit goalkeeper Gregorio Blasco, attended the Board of Directors meetings from time to who had sustained a major injury. time, consistently keeping abreast of the company’s progress and later,in 1933, of the technical renovations During the Spanish Civil War, Lehendakari Aguirre was carried out at the factory. His main focus, however, was one of the main promoters of the Basque soccer team, on the social aspect of the business. Spurred on by which donned the colors of the ikurriña on the playing their ambitious ideas concerning society, the Aguirre fields of Europe and America. The team took second family, particularly company chairman Juan Mari, but place at the Mexican championship, with all proceeds also José Antonio, drew up a set of Rules of Procedure going to Basque refugee children living in Europe. in cooperation with the company workers committee, which at the time was considered a major social José Antonio Aguirre left soccer after completing his breakthrough. The document was passed unanimously Law degree. For some months he worked as an by the Board of Administration. In other words, it was assistant for the law firm of Don Esteban Bilbao and not only the doing of José Antonio, as is commonly later opened his own office, where he worked with thought, but also of other praiseworthy members of the Julián Ruiz de Aguirre. company Board of Administration. Juan Mari Aguirre provided me with the names of these people: Don Humanistic businessman Ramón Bayo, Don Juan Bayo, Don Pedro Menchaca, Don Policarpo Ibáñez, Don Dalmacio Angulo and Don With regard to Aguirre’s business dealings, the Pelayo Trabudúa, representatives of the different brand chocolate factory "Chocolates Bilbaínos, S.A." was names. The company was the second largest in Spain created in 1920 by four chocolate manufacturers, until 1937, when the firm began to fall apart under the whose brands were: "Martina Zuricalday," "La pressure of the long, drawn out Franco occupation.
Issue 63 Year 2004 GAURKO GAIAK 11 AGIRRE LEHENDAKARIAREN MENDEURRENA
Pioneer of the idea of Europe
Jose Antonio Aguirrek ondotxo osé Antonio de Aguirre," according to his eldest son, Iñaki zekien Euskadik zaila izango Aguirre,"was anything but naive.He knew only too well that Jattaining full political recognition for Euskadi as a zuela bere onarpen politiko osoa European nation in the new political organization of postwar lortzea, Europako beste edozein Europe would be extremely difficult. His first goal was to herrialdeen modura. Estatista zen maintain Basque home rule,which had been granted during the eta ezagutzen zituen horrelako Spanish Republic, and, if possible, increase it to a national and helburu politikoen aukerak eta then European level. He conceived different constitutional formulas for Spain based on federate and confederate systems. zailtasunak. Oso gazte hasi zen He was a statesman who understood the possibilities but also Agirre politikan, Primo de the limitations of a project of such depth. He also knew that Riveraren diktaduraren azken Euskadi could not remain outside of Europe, and that Euskadi urteetan, 1930. urtean, 25 urte would definitively lose everything if it did not get on board the zituela. 26 urterekin Getxoko European train." Alkate izango da, 27 urterekin It was at the headquarters of the Basque Government in Madrilgo Korteetan Diputatu eta Paris that the Basque Council was created, as was the 32 urterekin Lehendakari. Spanish Federal Council of the European Movement. Aguirre decided that the latter would be headed by Salvador de Madariaga, prestigious Spanish liberal thinker and staunch believer in Europe, but with a centralist mentality, in order to see how far they could play the European card to unite anti-Franco groups of all types in overthrowing the dictatorship. "Because," added Iñaki Aguirre, "if the European integration experience was economically, socially and politically successful, sooner or later it would prevail over European countries still under
Europe as a political and economic horizon "Aguirre and the European Horizon" is the Irish presidency, and the passing of the Draft Aguirre on the centennial of his birth on generic, and perhaps somewhat enigmatic, Treaty establishing a European Constitution." March 6th 1904.However,it is also conceived title of a course offered through the University "During the World War II postwar period as an opportunity to build on his ideas for the of the Basque Country/Euskal Herriko José Antonio de Aguirre left a clearly future peace and freedom of a united Europe Unibertsitatea summer course program. It is European mark and vision of the future on the and for the economic and political future of taught by Iñaki Aguirre Zabala, eldest son of Basque Government and on the democratic Euskadi in a united Europe.This perspective the first Lehendakari and Chair of forces supporting the institution in general, encourages today’s witnesses, whether International Relations of the UBC/EHU. championing the creation of a federation scholars or politicians, to take part in the José Antonio de Aguirre died in 1960, between the peoples of Europe. And although course "Aguirre and the European Horizon." which means he was witness only to the first he did take part in the intellectual and political steps of European integration with the signing debate at the beginning of the project, he Prospective course of the founding treaties of the European himself was witness only to the very inception Communities in 1951 and 1957.This is the of the European integration process. The The course, as we can see, is not exactly a reason behind the course instructor’s decision project, which is now made up of twenty-five course on History – although it is certainly to use the expression "European horizon. "As Member States, is a huge success for an present. Instead, it is a prospective course, in Professor Aguirre explains, "It was mainly a economic and political adventure previously other words a chance to reflect on the politics long-term anticipation of the future policy of unheard of throughout world history. The of the future of Europe and on how stateless Europe by visionary,courageous and generous adventure that began over half a century ago nations like Euskadi fit into the scheme of people, the founding fathers of Europe, has now blossomed into the European Union, things. including Jean Monnet, Robert Schuman, following the geographic European outlines The more history-oriented lectures will be Alcide de Gasperi and Konrad Adenauer, and ideas familiar to Aguirre’s generation," led by the team of International Relations among others.In any case,for us Europe is still points out Iñaki Aguirre. experts working with Professor Aguirre from out of reach on the political and economic The course is designed to look back on the the University of the Basque Country/Euskal horizon,even with the EU elections in June,the life and political legacy of José Antonio de Herriko Unibertsitatea. LEHENDAKARI AGUIRRE CENTENNIAL
circumstances conducive to democratic revolutions and major institutional changes are often set in place continent-wide; the collective future has yet to be built and everything seems possible. Following World War II, with all totalitarian dictatorships gone, or so it was envisaged, it was not inconceivable in a democratic Spain for there to be, for example, a confederation in which nations like Euskadi, Catalonia or Galicia could carry more political clout, together with other stateless European nations such as Flanders or Scotland. All of this would also be possible in a new Europe about to embark on a federally inspired unification process. It was, without question, an unrepeatable moment in history, during which Euskadi made its voice heard in both Members of the Basque Government Office at the 1945 Aberri Eguna. America and Europe in spite of enormous limitations. But the beginning of the Cold War, the persistence of the the yoke of dictatorships. And these countries would Franco dictatorship and the progressive narrow- then change governments and democratize – precisely mindedness of states and their monolithic concept of what did eventually happen, although much later." sovereignty would soon dash all hopes."
José Antonio de Aguirre’s most visionary period was as a Mayor, Deputy, Lehendakari pioneer of the idea of a united Europe. His idea of Europe included the political recognition of all of nations, even Entre la libertad y la revolución (Between Freedom and those peoples caught between the threads woven by Revolution) is the title of a book written by José Antonio history. This period was seen as early on as 1943, when de Aguirre just before the 1936 elections on what from New York he wrote a pragmatic doctrinal text for happened in the five year period from 1930 to 1935. In the European postwar period titled Coordinación de this extensive book the man who would become the first nacionalidades europeas (Coordinating European Lehendakari of Euskadi tells about all of his activities as Nationalities). According to Iñaki Aguirre, "Aguirre’s politician, deputy and leader of the pro-statute of sights were set way beyond the present. Those were times autonomy campaign in the constitutional framework of of world war. In the wake of periods of crisis the Spanish Republic. At that time Aguirre was already
In the first lecture, Iñaki Aguirre The last two lectures will also will recall the personal relations that center on contemporary issues and will the first Lehendakari had with some of presented by two political figures. the pioneers of the "Idea of Europe" and Josu Jon Imaz,president of Euskadi with the founders of the European Buru Batzar of the Basque Nationalist Communities. Party (EAV/PNV), will speak on "The Alex Ugalde will present the second legitimacy of José Antonio de Aguirre lecture, explaining the evolution of his political generation’s Europeanism Basque Europeanism from the period for Basque nationalism today." Josu Jon between the wars, when some Basque Imaz,former European Union deputy,is nationalist intellectuals were in favor very knowledgeable on the subject of of pan-European projects, to the post- Europe and his personal commitment to world war period, when Basques the European project is widely known. actively participated in the European Lastly, Luc van den Brande, former Movement. President of Flanders – a country that José Luis de Castro, European enjoys full constitutional recognition Iñaki Aguirre Zabala, UBC/EHU Professor and Chair of International specialist, is slated to give the third Relations. in the federal structure of Belgium,will lecture, which will concentrate on both also take part in this course.Van den the past and the present.The talk will cover the Europe. Keating will approach this ongoing Brande will discuss the place of peoples and more doctrinal or ideological aspects of José and age-old debate by looking at how states stateless nations in the European Union.He is Antonio de Aguirre’s federalists concepts, without nations fit into the European Union. presently Senator in Belgium and Member of interpreted from the perspective of the current Professor Keating, who is currently working the Flemish Parliament and was a former situation in Euskadi and Europe. for the European Institute in Florence, is the member of the EU Convention on the Future The program will be rounded out with a author of "Nations against the State," a book of Europe responsible for drawing up the presentation by Scottish Professor Michael which focuses on the cases of Scotland and Draft Treaty establishing a European Keating, expert on the subject of nations in Catalonia and has become a bestseller. Constitution. AGIRRE LEHENDAKARIAREN MENDEURRENA
active in intellectual and democratic and European political nationalist circles of the circles with Christian time. Such inspiration and pro-European would later nurture the tendencies.. Christian Democratic parties of Europe, José Antonio de Aguirre’s bolstered by other political experience began contributors, such as the early on, coinciding with French philosopher the end of the Primo de Jacques Maritain, who Rivera dictatorship in Aguirre know personally. 1930, at the age of In New York years later, twenty-five. At twenty-six Aguirre would meet Paul he was Mayor of Getxo,at Van Zeeland,an important twenty-seven, Deputy to figure in the history of the Spanish Cortes, and Belgian Christian Lehendakari at the age of July 1937. A meeting with Catalonian President Lluis Companys and the Generalitat. democracy.Together they thirty-two. His record is took part in pro-Europe still hard to beat, although Landaburu, for example, was events organized in New York by Count Richard Coudenhove- deputy when he was only twenty-five."They were very young Kalergi, founder in the period between the wars of the Pan men. I refer to Aguirre’s generation, as Leizaola used to, as Europe movement, precursor to what would later become a ‘the generation of 1930,’which was when they actually went united democratic Europe. into politics, not in 1936, like people often say nowadays." Iñaki Aguirre adds, "It was a generation of highly educated, Even to his political adversaries, José Antonio de Aguirre well-read Basque nationalist politicians who also left behind was seen as a skillful politician able to rally a consensus a large amount of text,for the most part written during their despite ideological discrepancies.Iñaki Aguirre underscores long years of exile. It included my father,as well as Javier some of his father’s most noteworthy political achievements: Landaburu, Manuel Irujo "The first Basque Statute of and Jesús Maria Leizaola, Autonomy in history, to name just a few of the outcome of his personal leading nationalist negotiations with Socialist politicians." leader Indalecio Prieto; presiding,in times of war and The generation of 1930 during his long years in exile, brought about the over a multi-party yet ideological modernization cohesive Basque of the Basque Nationalist Government; his political Party, which up to that point work in the Americas first was still staunchly and later in Europe geared denominational, following toward attaining a minimum July 1937. Aguirre meets with Catalonian President Lluis Companys and the designs of the party’s the Generalitat. degree of unified action founder, Sabino Arana. between supporters of the However,party doctrine needed to be Spanish Republic living in exile,at the adapted in order to bring it into the time highly divided, particularly with Christian Democrat fold, along the Agirre regard to international organizations lines of parties created during the years kontsentsuzalea zen, like the United Nations and pro- leading up to World War II. European movements; the personal irizpide desberdinen impetus he offered in consolidating During that period José Antonio de arteko adostasunak Christian Democratic parties in Aguirre and his generation found their Latin America and in organizing an primary doctrinal sources in the social bilatzekoaren international Christian Democratic doctrine of the Catholic Church, in the aldekoa. Garai umbrella group in which they would abundant writings on social have representation. In short, he was Christianity, and in the position of haietako politikoek, a man who knew how to work – and Belgian Cardinal Mercier on the baita kontrakoak how to get other people with different German invasion of his country in the or even diametrically opposed ideas first world war, which was of huge zirenek ere, bere to work together on causes he doctrinal influence among the social trebetasuna considered just." azpimarratzen zuten.
14 CURRENT EVENTS Issue 63 Year 2004 LEHENDAKARI AGUIRRE CENTENNIAL Activities for a centennial The Basque Government organizes a series of official commemorative events
The Basque Cabinet of Ministers approves the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Lehendakari José Antonio de Aguirre and the official commemorative logo.
arch 6th will mark the hundredth anniversary of the birth of Euskadi’s first Lehendakari, José Antonio Aguirre MLecube. Taking into account how important this event is for the Basque Country, as well as what Aguirre stood for and the continuity of his political and social ideas, a series of celebratory events has been planned over the course of the year.
Organized by the Basque Government, the events will focus on Lehendakari Aguirre – the man, his political career and his European facet. The Office of the President, together with the Department of In Gernika Aguirre is sworn in as first Lehendakari . Education, Universities and Research and the Department of Culture will be in charge of organizing Sabino Arana Foundation, scheduled for display in the and developing the various commemorative events. Basque capitals. In addition, on April 14th Aguirre was given the posthumous title of honorary citizen of In addition to the decision to pay tribute to the Getxo. hundredth anniversary of the birth of Lehendakari Aguirre, the Basque Cabinet of Ministers has approved In the remaining months of 2004 further events are the official centennial logo. The various institutions scheduled with a view to remembering Aguirre’s sponsoring the different events – the Basque political and pro-European profile: a meeting of the Government, Provincial and Town Councils, and private Basque Cabinet of Ministers in the town of Trucios to institutions – will be able to use the logo at their recall one of the chapters in Aguirre’s life; the discretion. creation of a website with a calendar of associated events; the publication of the book De Guernica a The Basque Government will emphasize the personal Nueva York pasando por Berlín in Euskara; profile of the Lehendakari, a deeply humanistic man, promotion of other publications, videos and CDs; great politician and champion of the European project. summer courses sponsored by the University of the Good-natured and optimistic, from an early age Basque Country/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea; and Aguirre stood out as a statesman, defending the an institutional act in Gernika recalling the swearing- Basque cause from a progressive perspective based on in ceremony of the first Lehendakari, among others. Euskadi’s role in Europe and around the world. In addition, the Association of Basque Municipalities Events and dates EUDEL and Athletic de Bilbao soccer club have joined the ranks of centennial event sponsors. EUDEL Since the beginning of the year the Basque will be holding executive committee meetings in the Government has been promoting activities either on towns significant in the life of Aguirre, and the soccer its own or in collaboration with other organizations. club will be organizing a game in honor of one of its Among the events already held was the unveiling of a pre-Civil War players. sculpture in Plaza Moyúa in Bilbao, the publication of a book entitled "La vida del Lehendakari Aguirre" As for the Euskal Etxeak around the globe, there is a (The Life of Lehendakari Aguirre) sponsored by the full agenda of activities, including an event organized Bilbao Town Council, and an exhibition put on by the by FEVA in Buenos Aires.
Issue 63 Year 2004 GAURKO GAIAK 15 ERREPORTAJEA IKERKETAK
Basque exiles in Uruguay
Xabier Irujo 1967an jaio zen Venezuelako associated with a very ambitious Basque Government erbestean. Filologia, Filosofia eta Geografia Office in Uruguay. 600 members belonged to the Euskal eta Historia ikasketak egin zituen eta duela Erria Basque Center in Montevideo in 1937; but it only took a handful of them to carry out a huge amount of gutxi “Euskal erbeste politikoa Uruguain work in both the political and cultural arenas. (1943-1955)” izenburupean Nafarroako According to Xabier Irujo, "The Basque Office in Unibertsitate Publikoan aurkeztua izan den Montevideo worked with the presidency and the bere doktoradutzako tesia defendatu du. ministers of Interior and Foreign Affairs of the Joseba Agirreazkuenaga katedradunaren successive Uruguayan governments to keep Uruguay zuzendaritzapean bildutako tribunalak from allowing a dictatorship which had collaborated cum laudea emateko erabakia hartu zuen. with Nazi Germany and fascist Italy access to the United Nations." orn in exile in Venezuela in 1967, Xabier Irujo holds a bachelor’s degree in Philology, The Basque Office operated like a genuine Basque Philosophy, Geography and History. He recently embassy in America. "in terms of its relations with the Bdefended his dissertation at the Public University Uruguayan Government, the country’s political parties of Navarre on "Euskal erbeste politikoa Uruguain (1943- (primarily Unión Cívica and Partido Colorado), and the 1955)". His thesis committee, chaired by Joseba United States secret service. It also worked with Basque Agirreazkuenaga, considered his work outstanding and Offices in other countries throughout Europe and Latin Irujo graduated cum laude. America. It played a role in the opening of Plaza Gernika in Montevideo in 1944 and was active in the Irujo’s thesis, the second at the Public University of First Christian Democrat International Congress in Navarre to be defended in Euskara, focuses on a group Latin America inaugurated by Jacques Maritain, held in of Basque exiles and Uruguayan nationals – descendents Montevideo and organized by Senator Dardo Regules, of earlier Basque immigrants – and their activities loyal friend and champion of the Basque community."
Representative of the Basque community in Uruguay with Aguirre and Councillor Aldasoro.
16 CURRENT EVENTS Issue 63 Year 2004 RESEARCH ARTICLE
The celebration of Basque affinity. The struggle for human Week in Montevideo in 1943 rights and the historical rights kicked off a period of intensive for the Basque people in exile cultural activity. The helped to consolidate the Department of Basque Studies profound human relations that was created at the National characterized the Basque University, as were the first diaspora. They recreated the chairs of Euskara and Basque extended family left behind in Culture in America. Euskal Herria, and the Basque GALEUZCA Uruguay came centers became their new into being, as did the group homes, creating genuine family Euskaltzaleak and the Club del bonds and sincere friendships." Libro Vasco, sponsored by the Montevideo-based Euskal Erria Xabier Irujo’s research covers Basque Center, which the period ending in 1955, the translated and published year the Franco regime was Shakespeare’s "Hamlet" and finally admitted to the United Juan Ramón Jiménez’s Platero Nations. However, as Irujo y yo (Platero and I).This group explains, this development was of people also collaborated not what brought about the end with the Montevideo cultural of Basque exile in America. It center, known as the Ateneo, could be better explained by the and with the National Inauguration of Plaza Gernika in Montevideo, 1944. "rupture between the Basque University. "Basque culture in Government and the U.S. exile owes a lot to such prominent Uruguayans as Carlos secret service in 1949, one of the Basque Government’s Vaz Ferreira, Raúl Montero Bustamante, Eduardo Berro primary sources of funding.The rise to power of General García, Leopoldo Agorio Etcheverry, and to the sons and Eisenhower and the Republican Party, the policy of daughters of earlier Basque exiles including Carlos G. censure and foreign alliances favored by conservative Mendilaharzu, José Mendiola, Miguel Bañales, María senators MacCarthy and MacCarran, among others, Ana Bidegaray Janssen and Héctor Tosar Herrecart, to coupled with the interests and reorganization of the name just a few." newly created Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), brought an end to the strategic alliance with the Basque Uruguay was a fertile ground for tenacious and Government that had been in place since 1941." hardworking Basques. "The country that saw the birth of the so-called Generación de los Maestros Serenos Irujo concludes that after 1955 the Basque Government (generation of the quiet masters), which so enriched had to face the most difficult crisis of its exile – self- Latin American and European letters in the first half of management – its economic base supported by an odd the twentieth century, had a great sense of democracy," sort of ‘loan’ financed by the Basque centers or private says Irujo, who adds that "it is one of donations from the exiles themselves. those rare examples in history of the Uruguaira jo zuten From 1951 to 1955 the political and socialization of democracy and human cultural activities of the Basque values. It had a highly advanced euskaldunak oso Government Office in Uruguay steadily education system and in many aspects maila sozial declined until all but disappearing by is still an example today. Uruguay’s the end of the five-year period. criminal code, brainchild of José desberdinetakoak Iruretagoyena Anza, son of Basque "Researching this period in the history immigrants who sought refuge in ziren baina politika of our people is a study on the Uruguay after the second Carlist War, irizpidetan bat solidarity of a nation, Uruguay, which just to cite an example, is one of the in spite of political and economic first in the world to regulate egiten zuten interests, made a conscious effort to euthanasia and abortion. And much support the cause of justice and the same can be said of the brilliant work of Eduardo human rights: the cause of the Basque people. My most Couture Etcheverry, also descendent of Basque heartfelt affection goes out to all of the men and immigrants, in the field of procedural law." women who so selflessly collaborated with the Basque Office in exile in Montevideo. Those are the people to With regard to sociological make-up, "the group of whom I dedicate my thesis, and most particularly Basque exiles," comments Irujo, "included people from Carlos G. Mendilaharzu, the last witness to that all social classes. However, they had a strong political generation."
Issue 63 Year 2004 GAURKO GAIAK 17 AURRERA DOAN HERRIA www.hiru.com a gateway to knowledge
he Basque Government has set into motion a website, www.hiru.com, aimed at meeting the growing needs of lifelong learning in today’s Tknowledge society. Learning on a daily basis, having access to information on disciplines of all types Oso erraza da www.hiru.com-en sartzea. and doing so in a clear and easy fashion is the challenge Erraza eta aberasgarria. Horiek izan dira faced by the Department of Education, Universities and hain zuzen ere, interneteko ate berri Research in order to successfully carry out this project. hau martxan jartzerakoan Eusko Hiru.com has already received thousands of queries Jaurlaritzak lortu nahi zituen since it was launched only a few months ago. Basque helburuak. Bost eta ehun urte bitarteko communities around the globe are one of the main pertsonentzat prestatua dago eta target groups this project was designed to reach out to. formakuntza indartzeko tresna dibertigarria izan daiteke edozeinentzat. The Basque Government’s decision to promote access to Milaka bisita izan ditu iada. new technologies, specifically to the enormous possibilities offered by such a powerful tool as the Internet, has materialized in initiatives such as Konekta Zaitez. This plan has proven to be extremely popular, making it possible for thousands of people to purchase computer equipment at reduced government- sponsored prices, and finally bringing computers into Basque homes. But equally as important as having access to computers is to have access to quality content. This is why the Lehendakari put forward three main areas of concentration for the forthcoming years: strengthening personal autonomy, encouraging critical thinking and promoting participation on the part of the public.
The new website launched in Euskadi is right in line with this new philosophy, combining fun material with information on a wide variety of areas and a full calendar of events and entertainment geared toward people of all ages. Hiru.com is the first effort to create a Basque education portal designed to provide online public education services based on free training content and a totally new format in Spain and Europe.
18 Issue 63 Year 2004 A COUNTRY ON THE MOVE
Hiru.com-en eduki osoa ikusi ahal izateko, nahikoa da helbide elektroniko bat sartzea eta pasahitza lortzea.
Targeted at young and old, aged five to 100, anyone who logs on to hiru.com is bound to find something that catches their eye: from recipes to tourism to history, and always from an educational perspective.
Another feature that makes this new website interesting are the constant updates. Hiru.com is continually on the move with updated material based on the demands of our users – a club that is growing by the month. In February a record 12,000 had visited hiru.com.
ANJELES IZTUETA Basque Minister of Education, Universities and Research "Hiru.com is there to provide the public with answers"
How would you describe hiru.com? the fundamentals of a language and feel encouraged It is a portal for learning, which we hope will grow to go on to take classes at language centers to further Hinto an education and training reference for the their skills; alternatively, the website can be used by Basque people and make a decisive contribution to people who are already attending language classes an educated, active and participatory public. This and want to reinforce their language skills at home. website will become progressively more interactive, more participatory, in terms of the content matter The Vice-ministry of Vocational Training and and sections offered, in order to provide the different Lifelong Learning is. sectors of society with the answers they need. The creation of a special office in charge of working in the area of lifelong learning has allowed us to Can you also study languages at hiru.com? develop highly innovative subjects in the area of The Basque Government wants to make a system of education, keeping a close watch on the guidelines learning available to adults by which they can learn set out by the European Commission. EUSKADITIK
The UBC/EHU to focus Distance university to offer 18 seminars as part summer courses on challenges of Bergara campus of the European Union summer course program. The third edition of the summer course The University of the Basque including health, psychology, the program at the Bergara campus of the Country/Euskal Herriko family economy,stress,adoption and National Distance University (UNED) Unibertsitatea will center its even soccer.Out of all of the courses, is slated to include eighteen seminars summer course activities on the Echepare underscored a series in the areas of Social Sciences, Health challenges of an enlarged European dedicated to the new Europe, which and Psychopedagogy between June Union. The twenty-third edition, will analyze the opportunities and 22nd and July 3rd. The goal of the scheduled to commence on June 21st risks of a newly enlarged 25-Member courses, as explained by UNED-Bergara and run through September 11th, State EU.The drafting of a European President Juan José Álvarez, is "to will bring together 6,000 students in Constitution,the challenges faced by contribute to lifelong learning, personal 90 programmed activities at its a socially-oriented Europe and the and professional advancement and to campus at the Miramar Palace in pro-European perspective of round out the UBC/EHU course offer." Donostia-San Sebastián. Lehendakari José Antonio de A course on the construction of the At a press conference organized Aguirre will be the topics of European Union will be offered in the to present this year’s summer course discussion and debate from July 7th area of Social Sciences; in Health, a program, Director Ricardo through 9th, led by university course on psychological support in Echepare explained that one of this professors Iñaki Aguirre (son of José extreme situations, among others. year’s goals was "to diversify the Antonio de Aguirre), José Borrell, Workshops on bertsolarismo or the content of the different activities and Jean du Bois de Gaudusson and importance of game are some of the help generate a useful understanding Alejandro Saiz Arnaiz, among subjects included in the area of of the problems and concerns that others.This political and economic Psychopedagogy. affect the general public." vision for Europe will be rounded out For more information log on to: The 90 activities include by a session led by university students www.uned.es/ca-bergara. seminars, workshops, conferences dedicated to European convergence. and international gatherings which For more information log on to: will cover topics of general interest, www.sc.ehu.es/cursosverano Basque diaspora on debate at Udako Euskal Unibertsitatea Public University of Navarre summer courses Udako Euskal Unibertsitatea has organized a course on the Basque to be offered in July and September diaspora to be held in Biarritz from July 5th through 9th. For five days The activities planned for the third Education; The splendor of participants will discuss issue edition of the Public University of gastronomy: reality or fiction? II; In associated with Basque communities Navarre’s (UPNA) summer program search of the biological basis of our living far from Euskadi, as well as the will be divided between the months of identity: dialogues on cloning and the role they have and still play today in the July and September.From July 19th use of human embryos;and the Europe various Euskal Etxeak dispersed through 29th seven courses on of the Romany: social policy for the throughout across Latin America, different subjects will be offered, Romany minority in an enlarged North America, Australia and Europe. although particular emphasis will be Europe. The objective of the course is to analyze placed on the new perspectives of an On September 7th through 9th the specifics of the Basque diaspora enlarged Europe. Most of the courses another course will take a look at today in the framework of debate on the will be taught by guest professors from violence and bullying in the middle transnational communities and other universities and other sectors not schools of Navarre. migrations. One of the instructors connected to the UPNA.The subjects Registration deadline: July 16th taking part in the course is Benan Oregi, offered will be: New forms of 2004 (for July courses) from the General Secretariat of Foreign leadership in the knowledge society, August 31st (for September Action of the Basque Government. Health in Africa; The automotive courses) Registration deadline: June 27th.For industry in Navarre: the impact of an E-mail address for further more information log on to: enlarged European Union; Masters information:fundacion.formacion www.ueu.org programs in European Higher @unavarra.es
20 EUSKADITIK Issue 63 Year 2004 CURRENT EVENTS
Compensation New Basque offices for Franco victims around the world
The Basque Department of Housing and agencies for the same purpose. A Basque Government Office Social Affairs has now processed the • If the person eligible for the has been in operation in dossiers submitted to request allowance is deceased, such Brussels since 1996 for the compensation set aside by the Basque compensation may be paid to person’s purpose of representing Government for direct victims of the spouse, domestic partner or children if Basque interests in the city Franco dictatorship. According to the he or she suffers a disability and is where decisions are made provisions laid down in Decree 280/2002 collecting a non-contributory orphan’s which affect the entire the of 19 November,in order for people to be or disability pension European Union. From the eligible for this allowance, all of the Following a series of amendments to outset it has been an office requirements listed below must be met: the original compensation fund, the characterized by its •Be at least 65 years of age on Basque Government increased the dynamics and the team of November 29th 2002. amount to be shared out to 21 million young people working there. • Have suffered ‘loss of liberty’ for six euros.The Department of Housing and In 2002 and 2003 the months or more during the Spanish Social Affairs has analyzed a total of Basque Government Civil War. 8,680 requests, out of which 2,529 approved the opening of five • Hold legal residence in Euskadi for at fulfilled all of the conditions of the offer. new offices in Madrid, least one year prior to November 29th Each beneficiary will collect 7,200 euros Mexico, Chile, Venezuela and 2002. for six months spent deprived of liberty Argentina. • Provide original or certified true copy and 600 euros more for every additional The Basque Government issued by competent authority proving six-month period, up to a maximum of Office in Madrid was set up periods spent deprived of liberty. 9,600 euros. 6,151 applicants were to represent Basque interests • Provide sworn declaration indicating unable to fulfill one of the conditions in the Spanish capital, as well that candidate has not received mentioned above, in most cases a failure as contact representatives of compensation from other government to produce proof of loss of liberty. other European communities and regions, keep abreast of the relations of the central government’s foreign affairs "Puente Colgante" transporter bridge, with regard to matters candidate for UNESCO world heritage site concerning the Basque Autonomous Community, and The transporter bridge linking the help disseminate Basque shores of the Nervión River will be Government policies and presented as a UNESCO World activities. Heritage site candidate. "Puente As for the Chile, Vizcaya," as it is known locally, is the Argentina, Venezuela and world’s first transporter bridge.This Mexico based offices, these piece of civil engineering, symbol of the countries are priority, owing industrial age in Bizkaia and essential to Basque Government channel of communication for the life backing of development of the Greater Bilbao area, is located projects and the mere between the towns of Portugalete and number of Basque residents Las Arenas (Getxo). It was opened on transporter bridge was declared a there. As put forward in the July 28th 1893 following three years of historical monument by the Basque decrees which establish the construction work led by its designer, Government. creation of these offices, "the Alberto Palacio. Since that time it has The Department of Heritage of the significance and volume of been of great use to Greater Bilbao.It is Basque Department of Culture has such activities calls for the estimated that 650 million people have presented the candidature to the creation of an Office of the used the bridge over its 110-year-long Spanish Ministry of Culture, which will Basque Autonomous lifetime, with a yearly average of six in turn present the proposal to Community for the purpose million pedestrians and 500,000 UNESCO, the organization ultimately of consolidating" the vehicles.Even today,in the twenty-first in charge of deciding whether the bridge cooperation projects and century, it continues to provide the will officially be put on the list of World other activities affecting same service. In July 1984 the Historical Sites. Basque communities abroad.
Issue 63 Year 2004 CURRENT EVENTS 21 Elkarrizketa Interview
JOSE INA ETXEBERRIA Broadcaster for Euskadi Gaztea
Euskadi Gaztea, Euskal Irrati Telebistak gaur egungo musika zabaltzeko martxan jarri zuen irratia, komunikabide bat baino, fenomeno bat bihurtu da Euskal Herrian. Gazteen artean jarraitzaile ugari ditu eta bertan lanean ari den pertsonai famatu eta ezagunetako bat Jose Ina Etxeberria dugu, irratiko ahotsik ezagunena eta jarraituena. Off the record
to kill anyone, or at least make you never want to listen to music again. "I have my way of handling it," confesses the broadcaster and disk jockey. "I’ve turned into a kind of sieve and I don’t let anything I’m not interested in get through the little holes. When I’m not working I rarely listen to pop or rock music.I listen to classical or jazz instead. I think this mechanism is pretty common. When I got started The most popular voice on Euskadi of guy who is easily ruffled. His style some of my colleagues who had been at Gaztea radio has been on the air waves and demeanor have little in common it for some time warned me that from for more than fifteen years now, but with the furious rhythm and that moment on I wouldn’t be able to until recently virtually nobody new passionate tone he takes on at work. listen to the music I work with.And they Twhat he looked like. Now that the When he picks up the microphone he is were right." journalist, broadcaster and disk a man transformed."As soon as I hear Teetotaler and non-smoker, jockey appears on E-Klipse@, a the click," explains Etxeberria, "I Etxeberria defines himself as a person program broadcast on ETB TV know it’s ‘on with the show’and that I who "gets high only on music, even channel 1, and travels from town to have to put everything I’ve got into it though some people think of me as a town hosting diskofesta events at so that the people listening really total drug addict." Jose Ina has learned different discotheques, Jose Ina enjoy what I’m doing.I walk on stage, to take refuge in moments of silence,as Etxeberria is no longer an anonymous crank up my voice, begin to howl and he puts it "in the moments of silence figure – especially to the 15 to 30 the other me just naturally kicks in." everyone likes, in other words, the crowd. Four hours of live radio – from four to moments that give you peace and the His unhurried way of speaking and eight o’clock – plus taping a daily TV other ones,the musical moments,which even his relaxed gestures give you the music video program and hosting a are just as important as the notes feeling that Etxeberria is not the kind diskofesta or two per week is enough themselves.Time has taught me to enjoy
22 Issue 63 Year 2004 Elkarrizketa Interview this second kind of silence.Before,when there are under three million of us here, I listened only to rock & roll,I couldn’t and less that 40% who speak Euskara, really appreciate it because the second “Laneko“ orduetatik we’ve dealing with a pretty limited type doesn’t exist in rock.But it does in aparte, ez dut rock market." However, according to classical music or jazz." edota pop musika Etxeberria’s calculations, at least one His work before live audiences as new record comes out every week. disk jockey, commentator and host for jarraitzen. Jazz eta "Selling 5,000 copies is a total success diskofesta events, sponsored by EITB musika klasikoa for Euskadi; only fifteen years ago you in towns across Euskadi,has made him entzuten ditut” couldn’t even release a record with such more popular than he could ever have limited editions.La Polla Records used imagined. "It’s been unbelievably Aware of the enormous influence of to sell 30,000 copies, which today is successful but in a few months we’ll the media, he still doesn’t think he has unthinkable." According to Jose Ina, stop doing them, partly because of the much influence on the taste of his the best selling CDs in Euskara are physical and mental exhaustion, but listeners and that the record industry Benito Lertxundi, Fermín Muguruza also because of the criticism we’ve been rides on such a powerful wave that there and Oskorri. And among the younger getting from people that think it’s too is very little he can do to stem the tide."I musicians,Gatibu and Ken 7. commercial." can surf it but if 90% of the people In José Ina’s opinion, piracy is the support a certain musician and 10% reason behind the slump in record Joey Ramone, lifelong hero don’t,then there’s nothing you can do." sales. "People who burn CDs at home He acknowledges that record labels can are committing piracy. But I’m in Rock fan since the age of ten, at 36 he use incentives to bolster particular favor of this kind of private piracy still confesses to be a hero-worshipper. musicians."The most common formula because there’s a good chance the "Mi lifelong hero is Joey Ramone, goes something like this: ‘We’ll buy person will go out and buy the former singer for the Ramones, who advertising time from you if you play musician’s next record if he liked the died two or three years ago.He changed the music of so-and-so or such-and- first one he copied.Industrial piracy is my life. when we were kids in my such a group.’ But that kind of formula another thing, since it hurts a lot of hometown,Ataun,we started becoming doesn’t work for a public radio station people: the author, the record interested in other things besides like ours.We get approached another company, SGAE (Spanish Society of soccer.The girls only had eyes for Los way:‘If you publicize Alejandro Sanz, Authors Composers and Publishers), Pecos, Pedro Marín and Miguel Bosé. next week we’ll give you exclusive the organization that protects the But the boys needed other escapes. access to the Van Morrison album.’ rights of authors,designers,and so on. That’s when I discovered Los When it’s presented like that, we I also think that record companies Ramones: leather jackets, torn blue consider the offer." should lower their prices. It’s insane jeans, sort of ugly and, besides, they Jose Ina thinks that in Euskadi it’s a for a CD to cost 50 euros, but selling didn’t play sappy music. The group miracle that so much music is produced them on a street corner for a euro is represented a change, a return to the in Euskara. "If we keep in mind that also insane." beginnings of rock and none of that overloaded music played by groups like Pink Floyd. I listened to their fourth album "It’s alive" every single day,and if there’s anything I can owe my involvement in the music business to, it’s that record." Etxeberria’s private record collection is large and eclectic. "I keep the oldest ones and the ones I listen to the least at my folk’s house in Ataun. There are probably 4,000. And in Donostia I have about 2,000. Now I only buy classical music – Baroque, Bach, Haendel, string quartets, piano...." As far as the absolute best in international music today, Jose Ina thinks there is an interesting rock movement coming from Australia and the United States in the way of groups like The Strokes,The Vines, Chemical Bros and Jet. Irrati saioaz aparte, herriz herri mugitzen den diskofestaren animatzailea da Jose Ina
Issue 63 Year 2004 23 EUSKAL GAZTEAK MUNDUAN
MAITE ZABALA Futbolaria
Maite landed in Bilbao from her native town of Boise, and has become a media celebrity in Euskadi. With her profile, it comes as no surprise: euskaldun, soccer player – goalkeeper to be precise – and candidate for the Athletic de Bilbao women’s soccer team, which has taken the Spanish championship yet another year. Maite has been in Euskadi for several weeks playing with the club on a trial basis, but realizes it will be hard to work out her calendar on both sides of the Atlantic. Currently she is studying Political Science at the University of California and is commited to training young women goalkeepers.
gehienak europarrak bait dira. Behar Ameriketatik datorren bada hortik dator gure zaletasuna”. Amerikan neska futbolariak profesionalak izan daitezke eta hor dago hango eta hemengo egoeraren arteko futbol jokalaria desberdintasun handienetako bat. Maite bi urtez behin etortzen da Euskal Herrira Jakina da euskaldunen artean dagoen haietan soccer izenez ezaguna bada eta ezaguna egiten zaio beraz, hemengo futbol zaletasuna. Azken urteotan ere) eta Zientzia Politikoak bizimodua. Halere, desberdintasun gainera, emakumeak euskal ikasketak egiten ari da egun handiak ikusten ditu hemengo futbola Jfutboleko protagonista bilakatu dira, Californiako Unibertsitatean. eta hango soccer-aren artean “Estatu Añorga, Oiartzun, Leioa eta Athletic Pazientzi handiz erantzuten saiatzen Batuetan oso kirol fisikoa da, neskak oso bezalako taldeak garaile izan baitira da: izan ere, gure galderak arinak dira eta lan fisiko handia egiten lehiaketa nagusienetan. Bizkaiko kuriositatez beteta daude baina da. Hemen berriz jokalariak txuri-gorriek goi mailako Liga irabazi behar bada galdera berberak egin gogorragoak dira, jokoa hobeagoa da”. dute azken bi urteotan eta afizioa izan dizkiote Bilbora iritsi zenetik, Athletic-ek froga modura ekarri du emakumezkoen artean ohizkoa ez bera ere, pertsonaia bilakatu baita honaino, Iñaki Etxeberriaren den kirola babestera eta txalotzera telebistan eta beste bitartekaritzari esker, baina egutegi iritsi da.Izan ere,Athletic-eko neskek komunikabideetan atera denetik. desberdinak direla eta, ez dago ziur lortu dutena herrialde honetan Mendata, Nabarniz eta aukerarik izango duen hemengo Ligan fenomeno soziala bihurtu dela esatea Gernikakoak ditu aita eta aiton- jokatzeko. ere ez litzateke gehiegizkoa izango. amonak. Ama Amerikan jaioa da Bere ahoz jakin izan nahi dugu zein Baina zenbat eta gorago iritsi, baina bera ere euskaldun familikoa, diren Estatu Batuetako euskaldunak orduan eta jokalari prestatuagoak beraz, euskara izan dute betidanik eta beste etorkinen arteko bereizitasun behar direla eta, Athletic-eko etxeko hizkuntza. Bere euskara garrantzitsuenak eta erantzuna azkar ardunadunak Amerika aldera joan etxean ikasitakoa dela esan bezain atera da bere ahotik: janaria. “Han dira hango Liga profesionalak laister, azpimarratzen digu Boisen denak dira kanpotarrak, beste ematen dituen aukerak ikustera. ikastola bat dagoela martxan eta tokietatik etorritakoak baina guk gure Handik dator hain zuzen Maite hango euskaldun guztientzat oso janari berezia dugu, nik ere Euskal Zabala, Boisen jaiotako neska albiste ona izan dela dio. Etxean ikasi nuen gure janariak euskaldun hau.25 urte ditu,atezaina “Arreba eta ni gaztetandik hasi prestatzen. Euskaldunok ez dugu da, atezainen entrenatzaile, ginen futbolean, han soccer dena, ahazten gure familia nondik datorren, gaztetatik futbolean aritua (inguru futbolean jokatzen direnen guraso ez ditugu hemengoak ahazten”.
24 EUSKAL GAZTEAK MUNDUAN Issue 63 Year 2004 BASQUE YOUTH
IBAN UBARRETXENA Researcher
University of Utrecht in the Netherlands to finish his bachelor’s degree in Chemistry."And thanks to a pre-doctoral grant from the Basque Government I was able to continue my studies at the same university and earn my PhD.My time in Utrecht was really satisfying on a personal level and extremely beneficial to my scientific career.I’ll never be able to thank the Dutch people enough for how well they treated me, especially my colleagues at the lab," Iban Iban Ubarretxena, researcher Ubarretxena went on to say. His PhD was based on a study of the proteins that reside in cell membranes."30% of cell proteins are at the City University of New York of this type," he added,trying to explain the subject in clear terms. After Iban Ubarretxena New Yorkeko bere ikerketak. Gaztea izan finishing his doctorate degree in City Collage-eko Kimika saileko arren, urteak daramatza mundu Biochemistry, he went to Yale ikerlari eta irakasle da. Joan zen honetan eta ospe handia duen University in the United States,thanks apirilan hasi zen lan berri Manhattango University of New to another post-doctoral grant from honetan eta Alzheimer eta York-en lan bikaina egin Basque Government. "I continued to Parkinson ataletan kokatu ditu dezakelakoan dago. study membrane proteins for another three years. From a scientific perspective the experience was good Iban Ubarretxena has always had a neurodegenerative diseases such as and I have never had so much access to passion for understanding the Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. My science resources and funding, but mechanisms that exist in living focus is mainly on studying their from a human perspective,there was a Iorganisms. Although his passion mechanisms of action and structures huge amount of competition within the included different areas of biology, in order to design medicines and department and the area of molecules and their chemical strategies for combating these camaraderie left a lot to be desired. reactions are the basis.So,in 1988 he diseases," I’m very excited about His new five-year position in New began studying Chemistry in Euskara having this opportunity," said the York leaves the prospect of going back at the Donostia-San Sebastián young researcher, who left Euskadi to Euskadi rather dim for the time campus of the University of the thirteen years ago when he went to being. In addition, Ubarretxena met Basque Country/Euskal Herriko England to began his studies in Kakoli Mitra at Yale, a Bengali from Unibertsitatea. Biochemistry through the Erasmus Calcutta,who he married in New York As of April 1st of this year,at the program. in 2002 in a Hindu ceremony that age of 35, Ubarretxena is now "I also think," he added, "that the lasted three days."There are also a lot Professor Ubarretxena. He is overall experience of going to more options for her in the United teaching at City College of New York, university in another country and States professionally.Plus,she can be has a 100 square meter lab at his living in a different culture with a closer to her own here since there are disposal – with room for eight people – different language helped to build my Indian supermarkets, temples and, and a $350,000 research budget."My confidence and expand my horizons." generally speaking,a lot more support work consists of studying membrane Also under the auspices of the in terms of her culture than she would proteins associated with Erasmus program he went to the find in Euskadi".
Issue 63 Year 2004 BASQUE YOUTH AROUND THE WORLD 25 MEXICO … ARGENTINA … CHILE … SAN FRANCISCO … SYDNEY … BUENOS AIRES … VILLA MARÍA … CARACAS … IDAHO … SAN JUAN … ROSARIO … MEXICO … VANCOUVEREUSKAL E …TX ECHILEAK … SYDNEY B…AS BUENOSQUE CEN TAIRESERS …
EUSKAL HERRIA-VENEZUELA
Basque-Venezualans gather in Galdakao E
The Basque-Venezuelan Association Simón Bolívar, under the leadership of Amaia Zenarruzabeitia, celebrated its
X annual gathering yet another year in Galdakao on April 24th. Over a hundred members met in the Biscayan town to crown the group’s eldest member, Juan Korta, with the txapela. Born in T Aulestia nearly 90 years ago,the once acclaimed pelotari was a key player at the Euskal Etxea in Caracas for many years, together with his wife,Milagros, E and his children Jon and Alazne. The event is always held on the first Saturday following April Amaia Zenarruzabeitia, between Juan Korta and his wife, Milagros. 19th,Venezuela’s independence day and a date set aside to honor the nation’s liberator, Simón Bolívar. Basque-Venezuelans now living in all corners of Euskal Herria met on April 24th this
Z year,kicking off the event with the traditional txikiteo, which helps keep everyone in good spirits while waiting for mass to get underway at the thirteenth-
E century chapel of Andra Mari Elexalde. This year’s religious ceremony recalled those who had passed away over the course of Members of the Basque-Venezuelan Association Simón Bolívar. the year: Xabier Leizaola, Begoña Ibarguen, Pedro Iriarte of Bilbao,’as the bubbly beverage organizing events of this type –
X and Polixene Trabudua. is commonly referred to in "the menu will consist of pan de The Sagardotegi Elexalde Bizkaia). jamón (homemade bread made cider house has become an Since a year can be a long with ham and raisons), ham annual tradition, where guests time, the Association is thinking haunch with pineapple rings, and enjoy local cider and a typical about meeting again, perhaps at hallacas, corn flour cakes filled
T cider house menu: cod omelet, Christmastime,as they have done with ground pork,chicken capers, fried cod with peppers, T-bone on another occasion, to recall olives,and a lot of other things,all steak, and for desert, cheese, how they used to celebrate that wrapped up in banana leaves. walnuts and quince jam. This time of year in Venezuela. Making hallacas is ‘quite an art.’ cider house strays a little from According to Amaia And then we’ll all sing traditional tradition,also serving a few casks Zenarruzabeitia – the group’s Venezuelan Christmas carols like E of rosé and champagne (or ‘water pillar when it comes to Niño lindo and Din, din, din."
26 EUSKAL ETXEAK Issue 63 Year 2004 MEXICO … ARGENTINA … CHILE … SAN FRANCISCO … SYDNEY … BUENOS AIRES … VILLA MARÍA … CARACAS … IDAHO … SAN JUAN … ROSARIO … MEXICO … EUSKAL ETXEAK BASQUE CENTERS VANCOUVER … CHILE … SIDNEY … BUENOS AIRES …
COLOMBIA
The Bogotá Basque Center to publish book dedicated to Genaro de Gamboa E The Basque Center of Bogotá, an instrument for spreading book will also provide an overview founded a year ago by 180 Basque culture. of Basque literature, art, music, members, is putting together a The work,which is expected to industry, education and tourism,
book dedicated to Basques which go to press in August and will be and an analysis of the current X will focus primarily on Genaro de available free of charge, will political structure, the physical Gamboa and his generation.The include chapters written by and human geography, and the initiative, backed by private historians, writers, philologists, Basque language.Another chapter funding from a group of the club’s sociologists and experts in a will be dedicated to the cooperative members, is part of the program number of different areas. system as a means of production designed by the Basque center’s Beginning with a chapter on and social phenomenon. Finally, T Board of Directors to strengthen prehistory,the book will then cover the book will take a critical look at the bonds between Euskal Herria the history of the Basque charter of Basque migration, with particular and Colombia. At the same time, privileges or fueros, the emphasis on Basque centers in according to President Héctor background and events leading up America,‘universal Basques’ and Bahamon and Executive Director to nationalism, and the first the history of the Basque Center in E Francisco Espinosa,it will serve as Basque Government in exile.The Bogotá.
USA Five new Basque centers in the process of registration and approval
Argentina,the United States and Z Canada will soon have new Basque clubs. In Argentina, the "Gure Etxea" cultural center in Trenque Lauquen is slated to
open, following the footsteps of E the "Centro Basko Argentino Gure Etxea" in the nearby city of Santa Fe. In the United States, the list includes the Colorado Basque Club (first one in the Gearing up for the state) and the Cenarrusa Center X for Basque Studies, which Boise Jaialdi 2005 recently opened its doors in Boise, Idaho. Lastly, Registration is now open at the event can work on the Euskaldunak of Quebec has
www.jaialdi.com to groups process of selecting which begun the registration and T interested in taking part in groups will ultimately perform approval process with the Basque Boise Jaialdi 2005 (dantzaris, at the event next year.Jaialdi is Government,bringing the number musicians, etc.) scheduled for celebrated every five years, of Canadian Basque clubs to two: the weekend of San Ignacio bringing 50,000 people to Vancouver and Quebec, (July 27th through 31st).This Boise.So far the fiesta has been Montreal. The requests are way the committee overseeing held in 1987,1990,1995. expected to be approved shortly. E
Issue 63 Year 2004 BASQUE CENTERS 27 VANCOUVER …CHILESYDNEYBUENOSAIRES … IDAHOSANJUANROSARIOMEXICO SYDNEY …BUENOSAIRESVILLAMARÍACARACAS MEXICO …ARGENTINACHILESANFRANCISCO 28 E U S E T X E Z E T X E K A thing." or thatwethink politics isabad important political developments thatwe’re going toignore course, of mean, doesn’t the world.That andmake themknown to country, our about the positive aspects wewanttoecho creating politics; be aforum for discussion or "the EENYwebsiteisnotmeantto Herria." section dedicated toEuskal there isa ofcourse, and, there, of worlddeal wide newsoriginates interested in New asagreat York, visiting thecity andanyone toboththeBasquetourists useful produced in New York thatwill be also featureasection onnews website." theyshould be immediately reflected onour context, States media in aninformative areheardin theUnitedCountry words "Basque"or"Basque intention time isthatevery the Iwould saythatour graphically, New York." To itmore put America" and"Eusko Etxea of "ABasque are sections including, theBasqueCountry about There It will offer information onanything Basqueor multi-fold. Etxea ofNew York. president ofEusko Etxeberria, people," saysLuisFoncillas news related totheBasque want tofeatureallUnited States electronic newspaper in we which "This isan www.EENY.org. launched anewsInternet site: Eusko Etxea ofNew York has company IBLNewsNew the York, Featuring adesign byprestigious L
Luis Foncillas points that out The newonline newspaper will The goal ofthewebsiteis E T USA Eusko EtxeaofNewYorklaunchesnews X E A K website atwww.EENY.org e ok IBLNEWS hasa New York, president ofIBLNEWS. founder and Mikel Amigot, Navarrese-Basque entrepreneur the invaluable of help andsupport Itwould notexist without basis. will updatedonadaily bepartially soonFrench,English,Spanish,and arewrittenwhich in Basque, complement toit." press –ourgoal istobea to competewiththeestablished project.We obviously arenottrying personal commitment tothis this ofour websiteisoneaspect Basque culturein New and York, become thepoint ofreference of was tohaveourorganization of whichIsaid thatourintention in year,on thecity last theoccasion celebrated itsninetieth anniversary ukrz gazteleraz eta euskaraz, ingelesez dagolanduta egunero berritzendira; eta laisterfrantzesezko bertsioari ekingozaio. With offices in Madrid and thecontentsof The website, "EENY Foncilla remarks, batzuren edukinak Web orriarenatal B A S Q EUSKAL ETXEAK U our language ontheInternet. contributing totheexpansion of more information in Euskara,thus forward for this year istoinclude organization". anduniversal close transparent, giving Etxea ofthenewmillennium, new websitehasbecometheEusko Eusko Etxea ofNew with its York, think thatattheageofninety the I this isonly thefirststep. case, adding that"in any fascinating, on this hasbeen project the president of theEusko Etxea picture." image thatpaints amorerealistic amorepositive oftheworld, rest new image ofBasquepeopletothe at ourcompanycanhelp a project and online marketing wework with conceptsin journalismthe latest technologiesstate-of-the-art and We think thatthe Basque land. a perspective oflove for the ofwork,approachinghours itfrom skimpingwithout and oneffort We’ve taken onthis project website "hasaspecial significance. To Mikel Amigot theEusko Etxea Facing anew millennium among manyothers. NYU (New York and University), Icex, Intel, IBM, Vodafone, institutions suchasMicrosoft, prestigious companies and and other newsproductions for "digitalsupports newsmedia" This companycreatesand and Yahoo in Spanish. World, BBC with CNN in Spanish, services in competition direct twenty-four hourinformation E Among thechallenges put Amigot says thatworking with
C way toamoreinformative, E N T Issue 63Year 2004 E R S
•News briefs•Laburrak•News briefs•Laburrak•News briefs•Laburrak•News briefs•Laburrak•News briefs•Laburrak•News briefs•Laburrak•News briefs• Laburrak•News briefs•Laburrak•News briefs•Laburrak•NewsNews Briefs•Laburrak briefs •Laburrak •News briefs•Laburrak•News briefs•Laburrak•News ewsiefs•Laburrak•News Ann uncements With audiovisual art as a common denominator, the D e¡ald ak Red, black and white for this event will feature a wide range ! year’s San Fermín festival of activities including disk jockey workshops and the July 9th is the latest trends in contemporary registration music, with performances by deadline for this year’s groups including Amaraun, Gaztemundu program. Duo Ad Libitum, Grupo Instrumental Jesús Guridi and The 2004 edition of the Laboratorios de Música. program, a gathering of As for art exhibits, young people from "Mistertus-Animatu" will be Basque Centers-Euskal Pamplona-born designers on display at the Marta Coronado and Mikel Montehermoso center Etxeak, will take place Urmeneta were the winners of beginning June 11th and the in Vitoria-Gasteiz from this year’s official San School of Arts and Crafts will September 10th through Fermín poster contest. The serve as the venue for from six million in 2003). The the 25th. Gaztemundu, poster, titled "pop," was "Migraciones Nocturnas," San Sebastian-based event is which has been going selected from among 622 also slated for June. paying homage to Salvador Dalí contenders in a contest In addition,the Nineteenth with its offical poster, focusing on since 1996, sets out endowed with 4,200 euros in Audiovisual Festival of particularly on his collaboration to educate young people funding.The panel of judges, Gasteiz will get under way on with Alfred Hitchcock in a scene from the Basque which included Catalonian June 28th, with screenings from the film "Spellbound." diaspora, provide them designer Javier Mariscal, running through July 3rd.207 Among other novelties this decided that this was the best films were presented for this year will be a retrospective on the with a better piece of work because it year, 108 of which were filmmaking of Anthony Mann. understanding of what represented the playfulness ultimately selected to be Another new section will be Euskal Herria is today, and fun-loving spirit of this shown as part of one of the dedicated to filmmakers who and promote ties with world renowned event. The sections included in this year’s have struggled to break the organizations, artists, who work for the festival: Fiction Film, Fiction shackles of political correctness, design firm Kukuxumuxu, Video and Video Creation. including Michael Moore, Dusan businesses, and people said that they wanted to avoid The International Festival Makavejev, John Waters, Pedro who live in Euskadi. computer aided designs at all of Human Rights will be a Almodóvar,the Marx Brothers, Gaztemundu also seeks costs and were looking for highligh of the audiovisual Luis Buñuel,Trey Paker,Ulrich to create contacts something more welcoming competition this year. Seidl and Todd Solondz. A between Basque youth and homegrown. section called "Latin Horizons" will feature movies from Latin both in and beyond the 52nd Film Festival of Donostia- America not previously released borders of Euskadi. Much Visual arts take front stage at San Sebastián loses a day in Spain, and 18,000 euros in like previous editions, Vitoria-Gasteiz prize money will go to the one the the schedule of events The 52nd International Film jury decides is best. Yet another year Vitoria- Festival of Donostia-San The 52nd edition will also for this year’s program Gasteiz will become the Sebastián, held this year from include classic festival sections: will include workshops, bastion of visual art from September 17th through the "Made in Spain," featuring debates, contacts with May 29th through July 9th. 25th, will be one day shorter Spanish-made movies, representatives from The fourth edition of Vitoria this year due to the crisis in the "Zabaltegi," which includes public institutions, Territorio Visual will be film industry, according to ‘pearls’ from other international hosted in a number of places festival director Mikel festivals,and the Official Section, cultural events visits throughout the city, sharing Olaciregui,who explained that with films made in the last year and tourism – all in a dates and venues with the this year they’ll be working that have not been screened in relaxed and fun 19th edition of the with half a million euros less in other festivals and have not been environmen. Audiovisual Festival. the festival budget (down released outside the countries where they were made.
u lik d yo e it? di tu al za sta izu? nion at did you t u opi wh hink g hear your a iruditu zaiz of t d like to itzi zer u ald he m we’ egiguzu zure ir izka agazine? .. ldu ria? . aza ¿ ... Send your comments to: [email protected]? ¿ ? COLLECTIBLE NEW BASQUE CUISINE 2
Isaac Salaberria Restaurante Fagollaga Hernani (Gipuzkoa) [www.fagollaga.com]
As you enter Restaurante Fagollaga in Hernani, Gipuzkoa, an inscription on the wall reads ‘1903’ – the year it opened. Last year Fagollaga celebrated its hundredth anniversary with a facelift to bring it more in line with the new creations of its chef, Isaac Salaberria, fourth generation at the helm of this temple of good eating. When Fagollaga first opened its doors to the public – under the charge of Isaac’s great- grandmother – it was a cider house and store, and even housed the local school. Grandma Joxepa began to make changes and twelve years ago her grandson started stirring up a quiet revolution. The Fagollaga menu still offers traditional dishes: homemade croquettes, season fresh vegetable stew, and diffierent types of game. "Flavors we’re familiar with but prepared using new techniques," says Isaac Salaberria, who is looking into new recipes this season such as a desert made of strawberry compote, balsamic vinegar and rose petal ice cream. Salaberria is experienced in lightly cooked dishes, enjoys a keen ability to distinuish flavors and select sauces, has an excellent eye for presentation, is a master of complex dishes and an expert in the use of herbs and spices. The fourth generation of Fagollaga has opted for modern and elegant cusine. Two years ago the restaurant was awarded a Michelin star. However, Salaberria thinks that an extensive article on Basque cuisine that came out in the "New York Times" has brought in many more American customers than the French restaurant guide.
S LOW BRAISED TUNA WITH “ MARMITAKO” S AUCE AND CORIANDER I N G R E D I E N T S
P R E P A R A T I O N: For the sauce: 5 onions, 5 green Sauce Tuna peppers, 4 tomatoes, Peal the potatoes, onions and tomatoes. Cut the tuna into steaks and remove 1 leek, 4 potatoes, 2 Chop the onions, green peppers, leek and skin. Cut the steaks into 3 cm cubes. tablespoons tomato potatoes, and lightly sauté in a large Cover with iodized salt and allow to sit paste, olive oil (0.4º saucepot. When the vegetables for 10 minutes. Remove salt acidity content), 1 liter are slightly softened, drain and braise the tuna white wine, tuna cubes. the olive oil. Add the cubes and garlic in tuna cubes and the olive oil for 9 For the tuna: white wine. Allow minutos at 52ºC. One tuna and iodized the wine to cook (This process sea salt down and cover simply the mixture involves For the tuna braise: with water putting the 4 liters 0.4º acidity (about four tuna in the olive oil* hand-widths). olive oil, but 6 whole cloves garlic When it breaks making sure it into a boil, lower is at the right Garnish: the heat and add temperature). Coriander and chives the two tablespoons Before serving, tomato paste. Let the add a spring of mixture simmer over a low coriander and two leaves *May be used again for fire for around eight hours. of chive to liven up the sauce preparing other dishes Strain the broth and add salt. before adding the tuna cubes.
Issue 63 Year 2004 PHOTO ALBUM
Stained-glass windows at the Assembly Hall in Gernika
DO YOU HAVE ANY PICTURES TO ADD TO THE ALBUM? If you do and would like to see it published in this section, e-mail it to us at the following address: [email protected]
Eusko Jaurlaritzaren Argitalpen Zerbitzu Nagusia Basque Government Central Publication Service