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Basque spirit in In February several events took which has already been translated

place in Havana relevant to the into twenty languages and won E Basque community:The first was awards including the Euskadi the official recognition of the Silver Award and the 1989 Basque center,and the second, the National Literature Award. celebration of a day-long event Bernardo Atxaga also gave a dedicated to Basque culture as part reading of his book in a hall named

of the 15th International Book after José Lezama Lima, the X Fair of Havana. The novel deceased Cuban writer with whom “Obabakoak” was present at the Atxaga claims to be forever in fair,as was its author,Bernardo literary debt. The reading was Atxaga, and other figures in the accompanied by singer-songwriter world of Basque literature and Ruper Ordorika, many of whose music. and Letters of the University of songs are based on writing of T The Cuban Government Havana, with Joxe Mari Iturralde Atxaga.The day came to a close approved the Havana Basque giving a talk entitled “Basque with a screening of the film center as a non-profit organization language and literature.” Bernardo adaptation of Atxaga’s book under the name “Asociación Vasco Atxaga presented the Cuban “Obaba,” directed by Navarra-born Navarra de Beneficencia,” at which edition of his novel “Obabakoak.” Montxo Armendáriz. Organized by E point the 5,000 copies of his book will be ICAIC (Cuban Institute of granted it official recognition and printed thanks to the publishing Cinematographic Art and entered it in the Register of Basque house Arte y Literatura. The Industry), the movie was shown in Centers. cultural event was held at the La Rampa theater.After the

On February 6th the all-day Fortaleza San Carlos de la film there was an open colloquium Basque event began with a Cabaña. Atxaga granted the with participation by Bernardo conference at the Faculty of Arts publication rights to his book, Atxaga.

Andrés de Irujo Award goes to Chilean Z journalist Rubila Andrea Araya The book “Arrojos, dichas y they maintained ties with other nostalgias,Vascos en el Valparaíso people living far from their del siglo XX” (Bravery, happiness homeland. and nostalgia, in 20th The idea for the book, slated E century Valparaíso) by Chilean for publication by the Basque trend in today’s world,” said Rubila journalist Rubila Andrea Araya Government, came from the Andrea Araya “leans toward Ariztia took the 2005 Andrés de author’s contact with the interaction, and the younger people Irujo Award, created by the Valparaíso Euskal Etxea. The tend to be more open rather than Basque Government to promote an Basque center helped the author belonging to closed groups; but awareness of the . contact its eldest members and there is still a great deal of interest X The young journalist - who gave her access to its books and in understanding the culture of comes from a Basque family that photograph collection.The work one’s parents or grandparents, in immigrated to Chile eight points out how the most of the learning Euskara and in visiting the generations ago - based her work Valparaíso Basques in the 20th Basque Country. primarily on the oral testimony of century were engaged in Founded over sixty years ago,Araya a group of Basque men and commerce.The opened bakeries, underlines the role of the Valparaíso T women who came to Valparaíso in shoe stores, stores selling assorted Basque center.It is a link to the Basque the 20th century. Through sundries and a wide variety of Country,a place where Basques born in interviews the author looks at how businesses. Today most of the Euskal Herria or of Basque heritage the Basque people came to the people who founded the Basque come together to take part in activities,

region, what they did in the way of community of the 20th century are and an organization which maintains E work and social activities, and how approaching their eighties. “The strong ties with Euskadi.

Issue 72 Year 2006 GAURKO GAIAK 31