CURRENT EVENTS

"Pro libertate Patria... José Antonio Aguirre," an exhibit organized by the Museum of and the Sabino Arana Foundation.

Lehendakari Aguire commemorative events continue

Last year marked the 100th via Berlin). Erein has also published the perspective of friendship and anniversary of the birth of the book in Euskara. Initially political affiliation. "Chile y Euskadi, Lehendakari Aguirre. To celebrate released in 1943, "De a dos Centenarios Ilustres" (Chile and the event, Euskal Etxeak published a Nueva York pasando por Berlín" is Euskadi, two illustrious special June issue. However, the the personal story of José Antonio de centenarians) pays tribute to magazine could not cover all of the Aguirre's harrowing voyage into exile. Lehendakari Aguirre and Pablo activities planned, so we would like He was forced to take on false Neruda, two illustrious figures united to dedicate a few lines to rest of the identities and undergo countless by destiny. The two met and worked year's events. hardships as he made his way to together in Paris organizing the Latin America, where he was given a Winnipeg, the ship that took Spanish Reprint of the diary "De Guernica a hero's welcome. The book is a Civil War exiles to Chile, as described Nueva York pasando por Berlín" in gripping travelogue, its pages in letters written by Neruda to the Spanish and Euskara revealing the constant thought Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs. processes of a politician devoted to The delegate to In commemoration of the centennial, his country's cause. Chile, Koldo Atxutegi, explained that Erein and Foca publishers each "With this book we wanted to bear released reprints of Lehendakari Aguirre and Neruda witness to the two trips Lehendakari Aguirre's best-known book, "De Aguirre took to Chile in 1942 and Guernica a Nueva York pasando por Another publication illustrates part 1955, and the impact he had on the Berlín" (From Gernika to New York of Aguirre's story of exile, but from Basque community and Chilean

Issue 66 Year 2005 EUSKADITIK 19 EUSKADITIK

leaders at the time. The book also highlights Aguirre's relationship with the Chilean President, Eduardo Frei Montalva. When the Lehendakari died there was great commotion among the Basque community here."

Original diaries on show for the first time

Over the past few months "Pro libertate Patria... José Antonio Aguirre" a photograph exhibition portraying the life of the first Basque president, has been on display in and Getxo, José Antonio Aguirre's hometown. Organized by the Museum of Basque Nationalism and the Sabina Arana Foundation, the purpose of the exhibit is to rescue the memory of a world-class Basque political leader and allow the public to better understand what he stood for. On the occasion of his death, the French newspaper "Le Monde" printed an obituary describing Aguirre as "an uncompromising democrat, a faithful Catholic and an wealth of photographs and images ecumenical gatherings with other impassioned nationalist," adding from different moments in his life religions; States are creating super- that he was "a clear-thinking and and political career. Stills and State political structures; and well- sincere man completely dedicated moving images of Aguirre make up known programs are being created to his cause." This is the Aguirre the ninety minutes of footage, with to cover the needs of migratory we see in the pages of his original narrations in voice-over describing movements as a result of diaries, a genuine treasure on show the most significant events in his globalization. for the first time, together with life by the people who knew him A book by Josu Legarreta other personal objects. The Sabina best. Promoted by the production entitled "Desde el futuro – Arana Foundation also decided to companies Trauko Management Nacionalismo = + Democracia" reprint "José Antonio de Aguirre, and K-2000, a full team of experts takes a look at the humanistic retrato de un Lehendakari" worked on this project for three and political thought of three (portrait of a Lehendakari) by months. The film was also important Basque ideologues: Iñigo Camino and Peru Ajuria, published in DVD. All of the José Antonio Aguirre, Irujo and previously out of print. Basque centers around the world Landaburu. Reading the complete have been offered a copy of the works of the three prepared the Aguirre on film DVD edition for their archives. author to share his thoughts on such current concepts as The various Euskal Telebista Looking to the future autonomy, independence, channels, including the sovereignty, freedom, the international channel, broadcast a The world is going through a period European Union and international film made by José Julián of significant changes in sectors relations. Bakedano titled "José Antonio including the economy, technology The book was published in Aguirre. La lucha del pueblo vasco and politics. As a result, the major Colombia by Oveja Negra, and por su libertad" (the Basque institutions are developing their own includes annexes with texts of the people's struggle for freedom). The reflection on their mission for the declarations of independence of film is the outcome of an in-depth future: the Catholic Church is Latin American countries; in study on the life of the first rethinking its theological Euskadi it was published by Lehendakari, which includes a interpretaion of dogmas and holds Alberdania.

20 CURRENT EVENTS Issue 66 Year 2005