Center for Basque Studies Newsletter ISSN: 1537-2464 Center for Basque Studies N E W S L E T T E R Prof. Irujo gets personal in new book on Basque exile FALL By Kimberly Daggett 2012 Professor Xabier Irujo discusses his new book, shares his personal experiences from living in exile, and introduces us to some of the most famous characters from the Basque NUMBER 80 government-in-exile.

In your new book, Expelled from the Important subscription Motherland, about the - information in-exile, you tell the story of the multitudes of who were forced by war and In an effort to be environmentally oppression to flee their homeland. You and responsible, as well as reduce costs in your family were also forced into exile, how the face of budget cuts, the Center for did your personal experience influence the Basque Studies is going paperless! We writing of your book? will continue to make our newsletter available online and in full color. I am the fifth generation of Basque exiles in my family. I am the great grandson of exile Professor Irujo and Jon Ander Escosura at We realize, however, that some of our and, naturally, this has had a big influence on the in Caracas, readers prefer a paper version of our my work. Exile has been the axis of my life WWII. continued to collaborate with newsletter. If you are one of these, we and of my family. I was born and raised in the Basque government-in-exile until the will be happy to accommodate you. exile in Caracas, Venezuela and so had the establishment of the Basque Studies Program Please notify us by filling out the form honor of personally shaking hands with some at the University of , Reno in 1967. on the back page and returning it to us important figures of the Basque exile such The anthropologist William A. Douglass, at: as Jesús María Leizaola, Juan Ajuriagerra, who headed the program, realized he needed Julio Jauregi, Joxe Mari Lasarte, Telesforo a colleague to help develop his initiative and Center for Basque Studies Monzon, or, Manuel, Andrés and was fortunate to attract Jon Bilbao. Jon was University of Nevada, Reno / MS 2322 Pellomari Irujo, and many others. my mother’s cousin and I met him for the first Reno, NV 89557-2322 time in our house in Altzuza, after Franco’s USA Among the many important figures who death. appear in the book, one of particular interest Or, you may e-mail us at: [email protected] and dear to our heart here is Jon Bilbao, one Your book not only discusses the government- with “Newsletter” in the subject line. of the founding figures of the Basque Studies in-exile but the previously little-known Program. Could you talk a little about Jon’s Only those who have communicated exile activists: writers, politicians, soldiers, role in the exile and how he ended up in intellectuals, and Basque patriots. How did their desire to continue receiving the Reno? printed version of our newsletter will you conduct your research into these figures? remain on our mailing list. Jon fought in the war in the Basque Country Cultural activity is one of the less known between 1936 and 1937 and, after the phenomena of the Basque exile. The Western Francoist forces captured Bilbao, fled into Hemisphere saw at least 130 Basque exile. Between 1939 and 1940 he headed periodicals published in thirteen countries the delegation of the Basque government across three continents between 1877 and in Boise and, between 1942 and 1945 1977. Approximately eighty thousand pages while in New York, he collaborated with of the periodical press were published outside the Basque government in its war against the Basque Country. The publication Ekin, the Axis powers in South America. For his headed by Andrés Irujo, occupies a prominent An annual publication of the work, Jon Bilbao was decorated as a Knight place in the cultural endeavors of Basque Center for Basque Studies of the Order of the Belgian Crown after political exiles in the . By 1954, University of Nevada, Reno Reno, NV 89557-2322 (continued on page 2) 1 Center for Basque Studies Newsletter (Professor Irujo interview, continued) agreed with the British government that in Ekin had published the works of forty Basque the event of hostilities breaking out between exile authors in a total of 151,200 copies, the Spanish and British governments and, 82,180 of which corresponded to the Library in the event that Great Britain should win of Basque Culture, which had published 42 the war, his majesty’s government would titles by that year. Books written in Basque do “everything in its powers to assure the accounted for a total of four thousand copies. establishment and guarantee the safety of By 1977, Ekin had published almost 100 a Basque state.” Later, in May 1942, the books. We should underline that the galleys Basque government signed a cooperation of the books in Basque were prepared by agreement with the Roosevelt administration professionals who, obviously, did not speak in virtue of which the Basque secret services Basque, for which reason the type was set would cooperate militarily with the U.S. letter by letter! Fifty years later, the Center Office of Strategic Services fighting Nazi and for Basque Studies Press is the largest press Fascist agents in South America. The Basque on Basque topics outside the Basque Country. government was also instrumental in the Josette Dacosta is an artist based in Saint creation of the European Communities from Expelled from the Motherland covers the Jean Pied de Port / Donibane Garazi, in the 1945 until the late 1960s. entire experience of Basque exile from its province of Lower Navarre in the Basque beginnings in the turbulence of the war Country. She donated the painting entitled One particularly interesting story that comes that broke out in 1936 until the death of out of the book is Agirre’s Etxea defendituko dut loreekin’to the CBS Lehendakari Jose Antonio Agirre in 1960. harrowing journey into the jaws of Nazi to commemorate the links between the For you as a researcher and as a member of oppression (he was actually in hiding in region of Donibane Garazi and Nevada, the exile, what are events that stick out as key Berlin for a time!) before being able to the destination for so many Basques who points that people interested in the breadth escape to rejoin the government-in-exile. left their homes in the to seek of the exile should know about? What events Could you tell us a little more about this their fortune in the . Josette’s strike you personally? extraordinary episode? grandfather was one of these migrants, in One of the facts that most strikes me is how the early 20th century, and her daughter, WWII surprised President Agirre in Dunkirk the Basque government-in-exile cared for in June 1940, the sight of one of the worst Zoe Bray, is now a professor at the CBS. The their people. The Basque government took painting depicts a typical Basque farmhouse battles of the early war. Unable to flee from care of the wounded and sick refugees. The Europe to the south or across the English with flowers of hope. More info on Josette ministry of health under Eliodoro de la Torre Channel, at the end of 1940, Agirre opted Dacosta: www.itzal-aktiboa.net created five hospitals in exile. La Roseraie to leave his family in Belgium and go to hospital was inaugurated on August 25, 1937. to obtain passage for his family to The Center for Basque Studies From 1937 to 1940, 726 Basque soldiers and the Americas through Sweden. In January Newsletter is an annual 823 Basque refugees were interned in La Agirre went by train to Hamburg where he publication that is available to any Roseraie. Between August 1937 and mid- met Guardia Jaén. On January 12, Agirre interested readers. The newsletter 1939, approximately 7,500 consultations and Guardia Jaén arrived by train in Berlin is available electronically on our and 2,400 operations took place. The first under the disguise of being a member of the children of exile were born at La Roseraie, web site, and will also be made Panamanian consulate. During his stay in 143 in total, including my own father. No Berlin, Agirre visited the Foreign Ministry, available in paper format to those Basque was left behind, explaining why who request it. Please see the the imperial palaces and various delegations, when the Germans occupied Western Europe consulates, and embassies. “Stung by relevant information on page 1. almost no Basques were captured and sent to curiosity,” he attended the funeral mass Mauthausen or Auschwitz. My grandparents of the Spanish King Alfonso XIII, which The Center for Basque Studies were liberated from the Sidi-el-Ayachi was organized by the Spanish Embassy Newsletter is published by: Vichy concentration camp by the Basque in Berlin with the acquiescence of the government and arrived in in April German authorities. On March 27, Agirre Center for Basque Studies / 2322 1942; in fifteen days, they were provided attended a rally addressed by Hitler who University of Nevada, Reno with a house, a job, and an Argentinean was accompanied by Hermann Goering and passport. The same thing happened in , Reno, NV 89557-2322 Joachim von Ribbentrop. Agirre wrote in , and Venezuela. It was only possible his diary: “I was about 50 meters [away]. I thanks to the network of Basque centers and have seen under cover the famous exit to the e-mail us at: [email protected] associations working in coordination with the balcony of the Chancellery. I had in my hand phone: 775.784.4854 Basque government-in-exile. a Nazi and Japanese flag that some members fax: 775.784.1355 of the SS [had] ‘so gently’ given to us.” In Reading the book, it is clear that from its October 1941 he arrived with his family Please visit our web site at: beginnings in the war of 1936–1939, through in the Americas where he was received by World War II and into the Cold War that www.basque.unr.edu the President of Uruguay and honored as a followed, foreign powers played very different freedom fighter against totalitarianism. key roles in the exile. Could you talk a little

Daniel Montero bit about this and about the government-in- exile’s differing relations to the governments Publications Coordinator that it had to relate to? 

Diplomatic international relations became The University of Nevada, Reno is an Equal one of the most relevant policies of the  Opportunity / Affirmative Action, ADA institu- Basque government-in-exile. In August 1940 tion. 11/2011, 7,900. the Basque National Council in London 2 Center for Basque Studies Newsletter 2012 Sports Dr. Ott earns sabbatical Conference research year The Center for Basque Studies organized its annual international conference entitled, By Kimberly Daggett “Play, Games, and Sports: Bodies of Practice, Communities of Desire” on April Center for Basque Studies professor Sandra 19–21, 2012. The conference focused Ott earned a sabbatical research year and on play, games and sports as dislocating discusses her research plans, her upcoming realms of social and subjective relevance. book, and how she will spend her sabbatical The Center for Basque Studies invited year from UNR. various international and Basque scholars to address sports and games from a social You’ve recently been awarded a year-long scientific perspective including anthropology, sabbatical from UNR. Could you tell us a sociology, cultural and gender studies, and little about your sabbatical and what you motor praxeology. The conference volume will be doing with your time away from the will be published in 2013. The conference featured the following scholars and subjects: Center?

Gary Armstrong: “Securing and Sustaining I am spending my sabbatical year largely the Olympic City” engaged in writing my book, tentatively enti- David Brent: “The Concept of a Perfect tled, Living with the Enemy: Franco-German Game” Relations in Occupied and Liberated , Luc Collard: “A Taste for Risk in Sports: 1940–1946. The book project is based upon How Do They Play a ‘Chickie Run’ Game?” several years of archival research in classi- Richard Davies: “Duel in the Reno Sun: The fied documents held in the French National Heavyweight Clash Between Maxie Baer Archives and the Departmental Archives in and Paulino Uzcudun, July 3, 1931” the Basque Borderlands, 1914–1945, Bertrand During: “Action, Technique and Pau, located in southwestern France (and published in 2008 by the University of Ne- Communication” where USAC has a study abroad program). vada Press in its Basque Book Series. The Joseba Etxebeste: “Basque Games and The book follows the lives of several people archives are replete with human stories of Emotions: A Matter of Time” who developed close relations with certain desire, despair, hope, vengeance, and deter- Richard Giulianotti: “Globalization and Germans in their midst — for a variety of mination to survive. People suffered greatly. Sport: A Sociological Analysis of the Critical reasons. I let the characters speak in their own Some others profited from war and occupa- Themes and Issues” words as much as possible. Their testimonies tion. The topic has immediate relevance for Olatz Gonzalez: “Hand-ball Pelota: appear in court and police records, as well our own times. Identities, Affections and Contradictions in as in personal letters. Some were Basques, the Basque Arena” some were French, others (including White Jennifer Hargreaves: “A Life in Sport: Much of your research has been focused on Memory, Narrative and Politics” Russians) were from elsewhere in the world the . Could you tell us Pere Lavega: “Cooperative Games, during a turbulent time in contemporary Eu- a little bit about your relationship to that re- Emotions and Gender From a Social ropean history. In addition to writing, I am gion and how it has changed over the years? Perspective” doing further archival research, mainly in Jeremy MacClancy: “Goitiberas: Going France, in order to reread key trial dossiers of During sabbatical leave I will also return to Where?” suspected collaborationists and documents re- Santazi in Xiberoa (French Basque Country) Michael Messner: “Gender Trouble in an lating to Nazis who were based in southwest- for weekend visits with my adopted fam- Age of Soft Essentialism” ern France during the war. I will also spend ily there, whom I have known since 1978. Pierre Parlebas: “A New Scientific a month in Paris as a visiting professor at the I learned so much from the Santazi people Paradigm: Motor Praxiology” School for Advanced Research in Social Sci- Clara Urdangarin: “Playing Basque in the about the German Occupation of Iparralde Far West: Udaleku” ences (EHESS) in Paris, where I will lecture and will always respect the confidence they Mariann Vaczi: “Bilbao Catch–22: Passions about my current research. In October 2012, (and others in that part of the world) ex- and Double Binds in Soccer Madness” I am giving a paper at the annual meeting of pressed in me as they recounted their experi- Patricia Vertinsky: “Examining Fairness and the Western Society for French History in ences in 1940–1945. Their stories are at the Gender Justice in Elite Sport” Banff, . The paper is based upon one heart of my UNR course on “War, Occupa-

of the book’s chapters, “Sex, Vengeance and tion and Memory,” which has a focus on the

Duplicity on the Basque Coast: The Strange Basques but also relates to the broader experi- Case of Dr. Truth.” ences of other groups caught up in that war. A great deal of your sabbatical is spent doing  research. Could you tell us a little bit about your research project?  This book project grew out of research done for my last book, War, Justice and Memory in

3 Center for Basque Studies Newsletter Bill Douglass William A. Douglass Visiting inducted into Nevada Writers Scholars, 2012–2013 By Zoe Bray our parents’ thirst for knowledge. Like Je- Hall of Fame sus, I also graduated in Philosophy from the CBS is proud to welcome Jesus Arpal and University of Zaragoza. In Euskadi, Jesus On November 8, 2012, William A. Douglass Adelina Moya as our Douglass Distinguished and I were drawn to further our research in was inducted into the Nevada Writers Hall of Scholars for the 2012–2013 academic year. an attempt to better understand the Basque Fame. Douglass was born and raised in Reno, Jesus and Adelina come to us from the Uni- world, so close and yet so unknown to us. Nevada and recieved his bachelor’s degree versity of the Basque Country. Jesus has However, we each focused on different is- from the University of Nevada, Reno in published on a very wide range of humani- sues; mine was art from a historical perspec- Spanish and his Ph.D. in Anthropology from ties topics including history, anthropology, tive. I went on to write a doctoral thesis on the University of Chicago. In 1967 he was archaeology, human geography, urbanization, the vanguard origins of art in the Basque Country, with a focus on the artist Nicolás de instrumental in establishing the Basque Stud- and more. Adelina is a professor in the Fac- Lekuona. I then worked over twenty years as ies Program, which later became the Center ulty of Fine Arts. Zoe Bray caught up with them to discuss their work. a professor in the Fine Arts Faculty of Bilbao for Basque Studies. Douglass served as the where I created new course subjects, such as Coordinator for the Center for over 33 years “The Relationship between Photography and and helped build the largest Basque library in the Western Hemishphere. Today, Douglass is credited as being one of the world’s leading experts in Basque Studies. Douglass’s pub- lication list includes his 1975 book with Jon Bilbao, Amerikanuak: Basques in the New World, as well as a book about oral histories Beltran, Basque Sheepman of the American West, and Tap Dancing on Ice: The Life and Times of a Nevada Gaming Pioneer, about his father and one of the founding partners of Reno’s Club Cal Neva and the Comstock Hotel-Casino. His book, Casting about in the Reel World: Fishing on the Fly, is a collection of fishing stories from the bonefishing flats of the Pacific nuclear-testing ground of Bikini Atoll, to the tiamen rivers of Outer Mongolia. Miel Elustondo’s biography, William A. Dou- ZB: Please tell us about your professional Fine Art,” and “Women and Art.” glass: Mr. Basque, was published this year in and academic itinerary? English by the Center for Basque Studies. ZB: You have also spent time in other re- Jesus: As a studious young man with no search centers… The Nevada Writers Hall of Fame was con- family fortune, grants helped me to go to the ceived by former Friends’ of the University University of Zaragoza to study Philosophy Jesus: In the 1960s I was an assistant profes- Library President Marilyn Melton in 1988. and the Humanities. All of the humanities sor at the University of Zaragoza teaching She envisioned two purposes: an annual event interested me; I began my degree in History the History of Art. Then, my research took honoring Nevada’s finest writers, and a stim- but I was drawn to the Social Sciences as me to the Open University in Madrid, and in , for one year where I directed the ulus to encourage excellence among emerg- a whole and studied a lot of Anthropology, associated center in Bergara. This is where ing writers in the Silver State. The names of Archaeology, and Human Geography. So- ciology was not recognized as an academic our daughter was born and where we made all the authors who have been inducted into discipline in until the early 60s. Also friends who introduced us to the Basque the Nevada Writers Hall of Fame are now at that time I was very involved in cultural language. Sadly, we never managed to learn prominently displayed on a wall of honor in activities in Zaragoza and Madrid, such as the language properly. I also spent some the UNR Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center. theatre, radio, and cinema. Then, in search of time in different faculties of the University William Douglass’s name will soon join an- new horizons and a more stable professional of the Basque Country, such as Philosophy other American Basque writer, Robert Laxalt, situation, Adelina and I moved to Euskadi and Educational Science, Economics, Social on the Nevada Writers Hall of Fame plaque. where I became a university professor. I Sciences and Communication. This enabled obtained my doctorate there with a thesis on me to widen my field of research to include stratified society in the Basque Country (So- Traditional Society, Social History and Ur-

ciedad Estamental en el Pais Vasco, 1973). banism. In later years, I focused on the Soci-

I continued doing research and teaching at ology of knowledge, culture and art, always the University of the Basque Country where in reference to the Basque Country.  I obtained a tenured position in Sociology in 1993. I am now retired. Adelina: I helped in the foundation of several key teaching centers, such as the Instituto  Adelina: My parents were devoted to teach- Piloto del Instituto de Ciencias de la Edu- ing and suffered significantly under the cación in Bilbao, and the UNED of Bergara. Franco regime. My siblings and I inherited (continued on page 5)

4 Center for Basque Studies Newsletter

I learned more while there than I actually The Center’s taught. Above all, the experience gave me ZB: How do you approach the topic of Art the freedom to innovate and try new teach- and Politics in your research, in particular to Graduate Students! ing methods. During this time, Jesus was the the case of the Basque Country? How has this one I shared my passion for education with. theme been relevant to your research so far? The Center for Basque Studies graduate stu- “Don’t teach me what they taught you; rather, dents have been busy! Here’s what they’ve teach me what you have learned” is one Jesus: In my case, the interrelated worlds of been working on for the past year. sentence he likes to repeat, and with which art and politics have been relevant to my so- In June 2012, Iker Arranz attended a confer- cial and political engagements, particularly in I totally agree. In the Faculty of Fine Arts ence in Oxford, England organized by the I was able to connect and collaborate with the last years of the Franco regime and during Forum for Iberian Studies and the Extepare artists whose work I found interesting, and the democratic transition (we came to live in Institute. Iker presented a paper on Joseba take part in research teams. I also continued the Basque Country in 1967). I was very ac- Sarrionaindia’s last book and the concept to organize exhibitions on themes related to tive in cultural activities and, as a professor, of universalism in Alain Badiou’s writing. art hitherto unknown in the Basque Country. was aware of the world in which I worked. Iker is also conducting research in Paris and I stayed in the Fine Arts Faculty until my Later, as I prepared my university courses London. recent voluntary retirement. and carried out new research, the relationship between art and politics was a constant theme Tania Arriaga is conducting ethnographical ZB: How have your various and complemen- in my study of various historical, social, and field work in Pamplona, Navarre, for her tary interests and disciplines brought you to cultural facets of our surroundings. dissertation. Tania studies an entrepreneurial work together? group called NASF (Navarre-San Francisco) Adelina: From a young age I was aware of whose goal is to promote entrepreneurship Jesus and Adelina: We have always coincided how culture and art were affected by politics. and accelerate business projects. Dr. David in our interest for the arts and artists, from a Every time I conducted research on art in the Croasdell, Associated Professor and Chair of historical and theoretical perspective and in Basque Country, and artists in other places, I Information Systems at UNR, assisted Tania today’s context. We continuously share and noticed how political issues influence the art in writing an article for HICSS (Hawaii Inter- exchange ideas on these topics. However, produced. Artists Nicolás Lekuona and Jorge national Conference on System Sciences). at the same time we have always preferred Oteiza are examples of this: Lekuona was a On February 14, 2012, Imanol Murua pre- to be independent in our individual areas of good friend of Oteiza and died in a bombing sented a paper entitled “ in research and our professional careers, there- during the while serving the Media” at the conference on “Basque fore producing few publications together. on the front. Oteiza left for South America in Culture and Political Conflict” at the Uni- We collaborated in Pierre Bidart’s book Ar- 1935 when the Spanish Republic was at its versity of Konstanz in Germany. Imanol also chitectures et Architectes des Pays Basques weakest and artistic activities at their low- publishes a weekly column about politics in and have spoken at each other’s seminars as est. Another case is that of the Sala Studio the Basque daily newspaper Berria. Imanol well as launched the UNED of Bergara and in Bilbao. Founded by Guillermo Wakonigg, contributed a weekly column in the Basque its cultural activities the Sala Studio was public radio station “Radio Euskadi” until together. an exhibition room July 2012. Imanol also wrote the essay, where artistic and “Basque Peace: A Year Later” included in this ZB: What are your “Don’t teach me what cultural innova- newsletter. academic objectives tion challenged the for this year at the they taught you; rather, dominating national Ph.D student Iker Saitua presented a paper CBS? What research catholicism and con- at the 11th Congress of Contemporary His- or writing do you teach me what you have servatism of Bilbao. tory on September 12–15, 2012 in Granada, plan to take on Oteiza exhibited Spain. Iker’s case study explores the Mc- board? learned” there upon his re- Carthy period in the forties and fifties by turn from America. examining the role of an American housewife Jesus and Adelina: When researching –Mary Markward – who worked in favor of the post-World War II anticommunism. His We hope to organize a seminar or give a women artists, the political dimension is analysis allows a better comprehension of again influential. Art history is dominated by presentation at the Center. We plan to make McCarthyism as a complex sociopolitical the most of the Center’s resources, and hope male artists and often excludes female art- phenomenon during the first decades of the to discover more about Basque America’s ists and perspectives. Today, feminist groups Cold War in America. cultural relevance to our art research. We are such as the Guerrilla Girls fight institutions working specifically towards a book on the and museums for equal opportunity to exhibit Mariann Vaczi is in the final stage of writing subject of art in the Basque Country, with a artwork. her dissertation on the sociological and an- focus on women artists and their relationship thropological dimensions of Athletic Club of to political institutions and ideologies in the Jesus and Adelina: Our work seeks to go Bilbao. She will defend her dissertation in the 20th century. beyond sociopolitical determinism in art spring of 2013. She co-organized and partici- and idealized subjectivism. We apply criti- pated in CBS’s 2012 April international con- ZB: This coming April, the Center will be cal theories on culture, contemporary art and ference on the theme of sports, play, games organizing a conference on the theme of Art modernity developed by key scholars (such and society. She is co-editor of the ensuing and Politics, bringing together interdisciplin- as Georg Simmel, Walter Benjamin, Octario conference volume. Her upcoming publica- ary specialists from the US and Europe. How Paz, Bruno Latour, Jean-Francois Lyotard, tions include “A Matter of Balls: Women and do you see yourself participating? and Hal Foster) to the particular case of the Soccer in the Spanish Basque Context” in the Basque Country in order to learn how tradi- journal Soccer&Society. Jesus and Adelina: We hope to offer our ex- tion and modernity have evolved there. The pertise on the topic and provide information artist’s body (especially female artist’s) and for the organization of the conference as well its presence and representation in art is cur- as present some of our recent and relevant rently one of our main areas of research. So research. far, our research has furthered understand-

5 Center for Basque Studies Newsletter CBS’s mission and “During the darkest day of the Franco era history when we were denied our language, our cul- The Center for Basque Studies mission is ture, and our identity, we were consoled by to further Basque-related study by conduct- the knowledge that an American university in ing, facilitating, and disseminating original Nevada had lit one small candle in the night.” Basque-related research in the humanities and —Basque President Jose Antonio Ardanza social sciences, in cooperation with appropri- ate academic departments at UNR, as well as at other American and foreign universities, by the creation of undergraduate and graduate curricula at the University of Nevada, Reno (including the creation of distance education courses) and by collaboration with the Uni- versity Studies Abroad Consortium to provide a quality educational experience for students desirous of studying and living in the Basque Country of Europe.

In 1967 a small Basque studies program was established within the social sciences division of the Great Basin Institute. Originally estab- lished to study the Basques as an integral part of the sheep industry that had so influenced Jon Bilbao and William A. Douglass the development of the Intermountain West, over time (and since incorporated officially into the University of Nevada, Reno), the  Center for Basque Studies has become the leading research and educational institute of  its kind outside the European Basque home- land.

Excerpt from “The Guy” by Aingeru Epaltza included in Our Wars: Short Fiction on Basque Conflicts

I didn’t love the previous ones either. his back. Apparently the Vespa broke into a hospital I knew, and was delighted to know it, As far as I know Harkaitz—a thorough million pieces; the riders, however, did quite that we were rid of him forever. brute from Burlata—was the first one. He car- well, just breaking an arm or two and bruis- I would have never thought I would miss ried two or three pounds of silver on his eye- ing some ribs. As it turned out, that day the Harkaitz, until I met Beñat. His friends called brows-ears-chin by way of adornment, beside brute had told our daughter he was at home, him “Para,” short for parabellum, I heard. He some other spiky pieces of metal. There was preparing for his exams. Before he got out of lived in Azpilagaña. What I remember most something in his tongue too. When our vividly about this guy were his eyes: they daughter brought him home to introduce were cold, metallic, the eyes of someone us he only ever answered “yes” or “no” who can say son of a bitch with a stare. to our questions, and his communicative I never coincided with him inside the skills didn’t improve over the next few house, and I didn’t want to either. I should encounters. Whether he understood me, be grateful to our daughter for never understood me fully, was rather doubtful, bringing him inside, at least not when we judging from the idiotic expression on were in. Our sidewalk compelled him, his face every time I tried to engage him however; I crossed paths with him often in conversation. He always looked tired; as he paced circles around our front door. he dragged his feet as if lifting his legs He never bothered issuing a word or even was too much trouble. We live on the first the smallest smile. I suppose he paid all floor, and both my wife and I would tense of us who don’t carry bombs in our hearts up every time we heard his Vespa splut- the same compliment. ter by the front door. One night, he took a Once, on our way out for dinner in a turn without giving way to oncoming traf- gastronomic club in the Old Town, the fic; unsurprisingly, he had an ex-girlfriend Alde Zaharra, I saw the lovely Beñat hold- Photo courtesy of Daniel Montero on the motorbike with him, latched on to (continued on back cover) 6 Center for Basque Studies Newsletter New book explores Basque Peace: A Year Later Basque cinema By Imanol Murua The Center for Basque Studies is proud to Basques will always remember the date. announce the publication of Santiago de It was October 20, 2011 when three Pablo’s book, The Basque Nation On-Screen: masked persons, speaking for the Basque Cinema, Nationalism, and Political Violence. separatist organization ETA, announced Santiago de Pablo was a William A. Douglass in a videotaped declaration that their war Distinguished scholar at the Center in 2009 was over —for good. After more than four – 2010. The Basque Nation On-Screen looks decades of violence—in which about 1,200 at the role of film as historical witness, its people have died, more than 800 of them influence on society, and its ability to help killed by ETA and hundreds of them as a forge a collective memory. The Basque consequence of state-related violence—the Country is an interesting case study in terms Basque Country is about to commemorate of exploring the complex relationships the first year of a unilateral peace. Mission among film, society, nationalism, and accomplished? political violence. Santiago’s book examines Not really. Three days before ETA’s the historical relationship between films announcement, on October 17, international and from a twofold leaders met at the Basque town of San perspective: the use of cinematic productions Sebastián. Among them were Kofi Annan, remain in prison and an unknown number by Basque nationalism as a means of former UN secretary-general; Bertie Ahern, of ETA activists are still in hiding, waiting inculcating national identity and ideology, former prime minister of Ireland; Gro for the chance to negotiate the terms of their and the depiction of Basque nationalism – Harlem Brundtland, former prime minister organization’s dismantlement. The political and especially the ETA terrorism– in films. of Norway; and Gerry Adams, president leader of the pro-independence movement, Cinema provides new analytical perspectives of Sinn Fein. In the first line of a joint Arnaldo Otegi, is serving a 6-year sentence, of the history of Basque nationalism and has declaration, they demanded that ETA declare not accused for any violent activity, but for contributed to the strengthening of Basque “a definitive cessation of all armed action.” political activities allegedly under ETA’s national identity, to shaping its collective Yet, ETA was not the only recipient of directions. Yet, it is widely known that Otegi store of ideas, and to fostering a historical their message: if the separatist organization is the leading figure of the movement that memory of an unmistakably nationalist stripe. announced the cessation of violence, the confronted ETA when the armed organization governments of Spain and France were was unwilling to abandon the armed struggle. urged to agree to talks “exclusively to deal Rajoy’s challenge is not only to address with the consequences of the conflict.” the prisoners issue and other consequences In other words: they should not negotiate of the violent confrontation. The root of this about political concessions, but about political conflict—the controversy about the the unresolved issues related to the past Basque Country’s constitutional status—also violence. Two days later, former president has to be addressed. Again, the signatories Jimmy Carter, US senator George Mitchell of the Aiete Declaration gave the Spanish and former British prime minister Tony Blair government, and all involved political actors, publicly supported the Aiete Declaration, reasonable advice for the attainment of named after the palace where the document lasting peace: “We suggest that non-violent was signed. Blair explained in an article in actors and political representatives meet and The New York Times what kind of talks were discuss political and other related issues.” proposed: “Just as we did in our talks in Change is coming. A year and a day after Northern Ireland, these talks will deal with ETA’s definitive cessation, on October 21, the decommissioning of weapons, explosives Basques will vote to elect their regional and military infrastructure, with the issue of parliament. According to all polls, the pro- prisoners and exiles, with the rehabilitation independence coalition, EH Bildu, and the of those caught up in the violence, with moderate (PNV) security normalization and with recompense are competing to become the Basque leading for victims.” In short, the talks laid the force, with the two main Spanish parties, necessary groundwork to assure ETA’s the rightwing People’s Party (PP) and the dissolution as a military force. leftwing Spanish Socialist Workers Party The Spanish government, trapped in (PSOE), well behind. It is the first time in the eurozone crisis and facing a sudden history that the pro-independence movement outbreak of secessionist fever in Catalonia, is competing for the leading position in seems to look away. Prime minister Mariano Basque politics. The newly invigorated Rajoy has rejected talks with ETA and has Catalonian secessionist movement is now Author Santiago de Pablo and his new not taken any significant steps to solve well ahead, but the Basque Country may soon book The Basque Nation On-Screen the issues mentioned by Blair. The French follow. At this point, to look to London would government seems to support Spanish policy. (continued on page 8) Meanwhile, more than 700 Basque prisoners 7 Center for Basque Studies Newsletter (Basque Peace, continued) CBS Faculty News be of use. The British government and the main British parties are against the secession of Scotland, but they are prepared to respect Zoe Bray Her paper, “Looking for Lucien Lacombe the will of the majority of Scotland. What In Fall 2011, Zoe Bray gave several public in Pau: The Trials of Teenaged Informers lectures, including at the Nevada Historical in Liberated France,” explored the choices is possible in the should Society and the San Francisco Basque Cul- and wartime behaviors of two “rebels with be possible in other places in the European tural Center on Basque art and artists. Zoe cause”: one joined the Waffen-SS while his Union. The end of ETA’s violence should was featured in the maga- younger friend denounced a group of resisters push the Spanish government to adopt a more zine, Argia, in October 2011. In Spring she to the Gestapo. Sixty-seven people died as a constructive approach to its territorial issues. taught a course on “Basque Art and Politics,” result. In March 2012, Sandy gave another But still and above all, Basques are the topic of her new research project. Zoe paper, “Scandals, Tensions, and Courtroom enjoying this first year of peace. As the presented a paper at the Council of European Drama: What Made News in the Pyrenean Basque writer Bernardo Atxaga wrote in Studies and gave a lecture on the “Role of Art Borderlands (1944–1947),” at the annual con- The New York Times on the occasion of in the Formation of a Basque Imagination” ference of the French Historical Society held the 2006 truce, the feeling of happiness, at the University of , Bakersfield. at UCLA. In October 2012, she presented a Zoe has published two articles on the current paper at the annual conference of the Western of lightness, doesn’t go away. Despite the Basque social and political situation follow- Society for French History: “Sex, Vengeance, lingering sense that this first year has passed ing ETA’s ceasefire, and has a forthcoming and Duplicity on the Basque Coast: The without the progress needed to consolidate chapter co–authored with Michael Keating. Strange Case of Dr. Veritas.” All three papers a lasting peace, October 20 will be a day of This year, Zoe also took part in the Confer- appear in chapters of her current book proj- celebration. ence of the Portrait Society of America in ect, Living with the Enemy: Franco-German Philadelphia and began her fieldwork paint- Relations in Occupied and Liberated France, ing portraits of local artists in the Basque 1940–1947. During the past year, Sandy has CBS Advisory Board Country. In October 2012, Zoe presented a conducted further archival research for her paper at The Representational Art Confer- book in Pau, France, where she studied the and Professors meet ence on “Ethnography and Painting” and was trial dossiers of suspected collaborators and in Basque Country part of a collective show of Reno artists. Zoe the regional press of occupied and liberated is preparing for a solo show at the Sheppard France. She has one article in press and an- Arts Gallery in Reno due to open on January other under peer review. Sandy served as co- The Center’s Advisory Board summer meet- 24, 2013 for a month. She continues to be director of the Center for the third year and ing took place in the Basque Country from an active member of Itzal Aktiboa, an as- continued to coordinate the Center’s Advisory July 3 to 7. In addition to the Advisory Board sociation whose mission is to promote local Board as its administrator. The Board met in members, UNR President Marc Johnson was contemporary art, and on the executive com- Reno during the spring and in Bilbao in July. also in attendance. They took advantage of the mittee of Eusko Ikaskuntza Iparralde. Zoe is During the past year Sandy also continued international visit to meet with Basque Coun- also serving her second term as vice president to chair UNR’s diversity committee, the In- try officials, who reaffirmed their support for of the Alumni Association of the European tercultural Council. She also served on the our mission, and other institutes, including the University Institute, based in Florence. faculty search committee for UNR’s Gender, Instituto Cultural Vasco, with its headquarters Race and Identity program. In August 2012, in Ustaritz. The important Basque newspaper Xabier Irujo Sandy served on the anthropology panel for At the beginning of the 2012-2013 academic the National Endowment for the Humanities Deia gave the Center and board member Jeri year Xabier Irujo became co-director for the in , D.C. Echeverria a “Thumbs Up” in its “Rostros del Center for Basque Studies. In August 2012, Día” (Faces of the Day) section, in which it Xabier presented his book, El Gernika de Joseba Zulaika said that the Center “provides a window on Richthofen: Un ensayo de bombardeo de In September 2011, Joseba Zulaika partici- the world for Basque culture and society” and terror to a sold-out audience at Gernika’s pated in a round table discussion at the New that Jeri “is a fountain of knowledge about the Peace Museum. The second edition of the York University’s King Juan Carlos Center history of the Basques in the United States.” It book will be presented at the Durango Azoka entitled “Gernika, Revisited.” Joseba pub- was not all work, however, the board also took Fair on Sunday, December 9, 2012. His co- lished a tri-lingual book entitled, Traditions in the famous San Fermin festival in Iruñea- edited book, Basque Political Systems, was in the Etxepare Institute’s Basque Culture Se- Pamplona, the iconic Guggenheim Museum published in 2011 and his newest book, Ex- ries. In October 2012, Joseba took part in the pelled from the Motherland, came out earlier 1st International Congress on Art, Memory in Bilbao, and the beautiful coastal town of this year. In addition, Xabier has a co-edited and Democracy in Bilbao. Joseba gave a key- Mendexa, where they were hosted for lunch book, The Massacre of Basque Whalers in note lecture entitled “Drones and Fantasy in by the local mayor! Iceland (1613) in press with the University of Counterterrorism” at the conference on “Ter- California, Santa Barbara. Xabier is organiz- rorism and the Literary Imagination” held at ing the Center for Basque Studies upcoming the University of Uppsala, Sweden. He also conference, “The Prevention of Cultural gave a keynote lecture at the University of Genocide: Self-Determination and the Pro- California, Berkley in March 2012. Joseba tection of Cultural Rights,” to be held on continues his ongoing research into the Bil- November 14–15, 2012. Xabier continues to bao Guggenheim Museoa and the ethnogra- teach courses on Identity across Borders and phy of Bilbao with additional emphasis on Basque Politics. global culture, architecture, Basque culture and politics, and the international discourse Sandy Ott of terrorism. Professor Zulaika continues to In October 2011, Sandy Ott presented a paper teach courses on Basque Culture, Anthropol- at the annual conference of the Western So- ogy, and the Bilbao Guggenheim Museum. ciety for French History in Portland, .

8 Center for Basque Studies Newsletter CBS makes a splash at the Basque Sheepherder Durango Azoka Monument restored By Kimberly Daggett The Basque Sheepherder Monument in Rancho San Rafael Park has been restored literary and artistic culture,” he says. The Durango Azoka (Fair) is a unique event with new Donor and Memorial Plaques. The He adds: “It is also very exciting for in the Basque Country. More than just a original bronze plaques, which contained me, as the publications coordinator, to see book and music showcase, it is a genuine many names of Western Basque sheepherd- the interest that people show in our books in celebration of Basque culture, with busy ers and their families, were stolen in January English about the Basques. Even people who four-day schedule of events, performances, 2012 and believed to have been resold for the can read no English pass by our stand to see book launches, dinners, and much more. CBS value of their bronze. Washoe County park the books in English, and I think they take publications coordinator Daniel Montero is authorities, District Manager Andy Mink, pride in the fact that a publisher in the United very proud that he will be making his fourth and Carmelo Urza worked with the sign States publishes books exclusively about the consecutive trip to the event on December company to restore the monuments plaques Basques. Every year I also have the chance to meet many interesting people who have been to the United States, either living and work- ing here for a time, or only for a vacation, they’ve all heard of the Center for Basque Studies and it is a sense of tremendous pride and accomplishment to know that the work I’m doing is appreciated by so many Basques in the Basque Country.” In addition to attending the Azoka, Mon- tero takes time in the Basque Country to visit with bookstore and publishing representa- 4-9, 2012 to promote the Center’s books. tives, Basque officials who take an interest in This year marks the forty-seventh an- our publishing ventures, and authors, transla- nual Durango Azoka, and has an additional tors, designers, and editors with whom he connection with Reno and the Basque com- works throughout the year. munity in the United States in that the artist and correct name misspellings and blank Nestor Basterretxea, well-known as the sculp- spaces on the new plaques. Urza is one of the tor of the National Monument to the Basque original organizers of the monument and the Sheepherder in Rancho San Rafael Park, has author of Solitude, a book about the monu- designed the commemorative poster for the ment. event. “We are really grateful to District Manager Montero says that what makes attending Andy Mink and the Washoe County Open the event special for him is the pride and gen- Space and Regional Parks Commission for uine appreciation for Basque culture that the their work in having the plaques reconstruct- Azoka brings out in the thousands of Basques ed and replaced,” said Urza. “The plaques are from around the Basque Country who turn beautiful, and the site once again provides out for the event: “I can’t think of anything a permanent tribute to the story of Basque Daniel Montero at Durango Azoka similar that we have in the United States emigration to the United States.” where regular people turn out to celebrate our The monument was created by Basque art- ist Nestor Basterretxea and depicts a Basque sheepherder carrying a lamb beneath a moon. The monument was designed to represent the sheepherder and his descendants in the Amer- ican West, as well as all Basques throughout the world. The Basque monument is not yet complete. An additional plaque is going to be added to the monument for other descendants of Basque immigrants who wish to add their names or the names of their loved ones to the monument. For more information about add- ing a name to the new plaque, please contact [email protected].

9 Center for Basque Studies Newsletter Give your student the gift of discovering their Basque heritage while earning university credit

USAC has offered programs in Euskal Herria for thirty years. These three sites offer summer, fall, spring, or yearlong options as well as housing in homestays, residence halls, and apartments. All offer internships (some paid, as with the Teaching Assistantships to teach English conversation in local schools), volunteering opportunities, and service learning.

Donostia/San Sebastián, Spain Spanish Language, Basque and European Studies Courses offered: Basque and Spanish Language (beginning through advanced), Basque and Iberian culture, art history, Basque folkdance, Basque cuisine, cinema, history, sociology, teaching foreign language, and more. Field Trips: Madrid, , Province of Gipuzkoa, Province of Bizkaia, Iparralde (France).

Bilbao/, Spain Courses offered: Spanish language (beginning- advanced), Basque language, business strategy, global economics, corporate finance, education, international management, international marketing, Basque and Iberian culture, renewable energy, art history, culture, dance, art, Basque cuisine, political science, and more. Bilbao program students visit the Tree of Field Trips: Madrid, Burgos, Gernika, Lekeitio, , Gernika and learn about Basque history. Mundaka, San Sebastián, St. Jean de Luz (French Basque Country).

Pau, France Courses offered: French language (beginning- advanced), literature, culture, cuisine, history, art history, business, and much more. Field Trips: Paris, Pyrenees, St-Bertand-de-Comminges, Bordeaux, , Carcassonne, French and Spanish Basque Country.

Students from the first USAC program in San Sebastián, 1983.

Call or email for a free catalog now! [email protected] – 866.404.8722 web site: usac.unr.edu

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USAC students learn about many aspects of Basque culture, including cuisine!

USAC students tutor children and intern in local schools.

Bilbao students become ardent fans of the Athletic soccer team. Scholarships Thanks in part to generous donors, USAC awarded over $250,000 in scholarships last year. Some awards are specifically relevant to those interested in Basque topics. Donations are matched by a fund set aside by the USAC Board.

USAC Legacy Scholarship New Legacy Scholarships are now available to the families—children, siblings, and spouses—of USAC alumni to attend a USAC Program. $500/semester and $300/summer session. • Félix Menchacatorre Memorial Scholarship Available to students attending a semester program in Donostia/San Sebastián or Bilbao/Getxo; $500/ semester. • R. J. Simcoe Memorial Scholarship Available to UNR students attending a semester program in Donostia/San Sebastián or Bilbao/Getxo; $500/ semester.

USAC, your gateway to the world, also offers other programs in , , Chile, , Costa Rica, , Czech Republic, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Ghana, India, Ireland, Israel, , , Korea, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Scotland, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, and Turkey.

11 Center for Basque Studies Newsletter (The Guy, continued) One time they were headed to the Pyr- education, I was ready to feel proud and boast enees for the weekend, and I approached the about her higher education. She had chosen to ing a banner up with a group of friends, all boy’s car intending to say goodbye. He drove study sociology at the state university. around the same age. I just about managed to a Renault 5, a vintage relic dating back to the The story with Jon the mountain climber keep him out of my wife’s line of vision; I’ve days of Arana Goiri’s grandfather. I was chat- left her sad and sparkless all summer. Only forgotten whose immediate execution their ting to them when my eyes drifted to the open when the course started did her eyes brighten placard demanded. Thankfully, our daughter trunk. I was this close to having a heart attack up again. Books, note taking, lectures, par- wasn’t with him. Shortly thereafter, the car there and then: harnesses, climbing ropes, ties. I attributed her improved vitality to the of a socialist councilor who lives two doors carabiners, stirrups . . . you could climb effects of responsibility and her new life. My down from us was set on fire. I couldn’t sleep Yosemite’s El Capitan with the stuff in that wife wasn’t so sure. “You’ll see!” for nights. Thankfully, I didn’t see Beñat the trunk. Back from work one day, at lunchtime, I Terrible again. He vanished—from the city After that, my wife and I would breathe saw our daughter come out of a car. It wasn’t and from our lives. with increased difficulty as Fridays ap- just any car, but an Audi TT, very black and Comparing him to the previous two, I proached. During one of those excursions, shiny. I was on the other side of the road, found Jon quite tolerable at first. There was while climbing the peaks of the Ansabere held in place at the pedestrian crossing by the hardly any metal in sight, apart from the Range, the bastard abandoned our daughter command of a red light. I could just about small earring on his left ear. He could speak on a tiny promontory, two hand-spans wide see a redhead in the driver’s seat. I waved my Basque, and speak it eloquently too: despite and two hundred meters from the ground. hand at Maddi to say hello. She didn’t seem being from Sanduzelai, his mother was from Because, “having to pull her up all the time” to notice me; at that precise moment, she bent one of the villages along the Bidasoa River. he was never going to make it to the top, ap- over and slipped half her body into the car. He would spend hours in our house, espe- parently. That was the son of a bitch’s excuse. And just like that, I witnessed the meeting cially on Saturday evenings. I would talk That was their last hike together. I called him of their lips. My light turned green and the about literature and music with him—at least to demand the return of my Van Morrisons, Audi thundered past me down the street. I I did so until my wife started gesturing at me but it was in vain. He told me to go and raise had to get out of its way to avoid being hit. I to leave him in peace. Saying that he wanted ostriches—yep, those exact words: “raise barely managed, ten seconds later, to ask my to make copies, he borrowed my entire Van ostriches.” I didn’t give a damn. Maddi was daughter in a normal voice: “Who was that Morrison CD collection. I lauded his good free from that spineless piece of shit. guy?” She gave me the obvious answer, the taste. “So you like the good old lion of Bel- Maddi. The princess of the house. Daddy’s very same one I would have given my mother fast.” But there was something else: Jon was sugar lump. My apple tart. I was watching her thirty years earlier in fact: “a friend.” We also a committed young man; his commit- turn into a woman with contradictory feel- talked about the curious autumn weather we ment, though, was to the mountain. But after ings. Now that she had finished high school at were having all the way to the front door. . . . the others, we counted ourselves lucky. the ikastola and received a thoroughly Basque

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