euskal etxeak
nº 83 zka. 2008/2
EUSKADI in Asia
Basque men for equality, The Basque Government SET UP THE GIZONDUZ We’d like to know what you think
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EGILEA / AUTHOR Eusko Jaurlaritza-Kanpo Harremanetarako Idazkaritza Nagusia Basque Government - General Secretariat for Foreign Action 83 C/ Navarra, 2 • 01007 VITORIA-GASTEIZ • Tel.: 945 01 7900 • [email protected] Azaleko argazkia/ Cover photo: Mikel Arrazola ZUZENDARIA / DIRECTOR Josu Legarreta Bilbao INPRIMATZAILEA / PRINTING mccgraphics ARGITARATZAILEA / EDITED BY Eusko Jaurlaritzaren Argitalpen Zerbitzu Nagusia / Servicio Central de Publicaciones del Gobierno Vasco ISSN: 1579-4229L.G./D.L.: BI-1090-01 ARGAZKIAK: Mikel Arrazola, Jon Bernardez
DISEINU ETA MAKETAZIOA / LAYOUT AND DESIGN Didart euskal etxeak
nº 83 zka. 2008/2
EUSKADI in Asia
832008 / 2
GURE GAIA 4 Albiste laburrak/ NEW BRIEFS
Gure gaia/ THIS ISSUE'S' SUBJECT 6 "Euskadi in Asia" 9 "We can affirm that nowadays practically all Basque industrial structure has direct or indirect links with China." (Miren Madinabeitia) 6 12 Basque men in favor of equality
Bertatik-kanpotik EUSKAL JENDEA 14 Alfonso Dubois, Euskadi Prize for relief work. 15 Meritxel Relaño, Basque relief worker in Mozambique .
Euskal jendea/ PEOPLE 16 "We have to work hard and in the right direction to someday be an international research benchmark." (Mari Carmen Gallastegi)
Kanpo harremanak/ OFFICIAL ACTIVITIES ABROAD 16 18 Trip by a Delegation from the Directorate for Relations with Basque Communities to South America
EUSKADITIK GURE OHITURAK 20 Text in full of the Lehendakari's speech presenting the Legal Project
euskal etxeak 22 Centro Basko Euzko Etxea de La Plata
24 Gure ohiturak / Our customs 24 Basque musical instruments
Sukaldaritza/ CUISINE 27 Burzako Restaurant Oxtail in red wine. albistelaburrak Association, for their work in favor news of female economic empowerment. briefs In his speech, the Lehendakari March The American publication on oral considered that “learning processes traditions, the Journal of Oral are behind all ideas, projects and The Lehendakari Tradition, dedicated issue no. 22 to dreams of equality between men and demonstrated that he bertsolaritza. The Center for Studies women.” was convinced 2008 in Oral Tradition from the University would be the year of of Missouri created this digital The Lehendakari ‘political unlocking” edition. It includes participation advocated re-evaluating In an interview given to Radio from the bertso expert Joxerra Human Rights both Euskadi, the Lehendakari, Juan José Gartzia who assured that “it is a socially and politically Ibarretxe, assured that 2008 would worldwide reference.” be the year of “political unlocking” The Lehendakari, Juan José Ibarretxe, and a very important year for presided over the presentation of the “attaining peace and political APRIL “Dignity and justice for all of us” agreements for Euskadi and Spain to campaign promoted by the UN on live alongside each other and The Lehendakari presided the occasion of the 60th Anniversary continue governing.” At the same over the awards of Human Rights which in Euskadi is time he showed that he was willing ceremony for Emakunde, entitled "What if they didn't exist?" to talk to the Spanish president José the Basque Women’s During his speech, the Lehendakari Luís Rodríguez Zapatero. Institute assured: “in Euskadi we also have The Lehendakari, Juan José Ibarretxe, the need and the urgency to defend The Basque Government presided over the awards ceremony and promote Human Rights as a creates the Inter- given every year by the Basque supreme value, because some people institutional Foreign Women’s Institute, Emakunde. This are prepared to violate them on the Action Commission year’s award went to the Bagabiltza pretext of other causes.” The Basque Government Council gave the green light to creating the Inter-Institutional Foreign Action Commission. This new commission is a cooperation and collaboration body between the different Basque institutions and aims to unify foreign affairs. Participants will include representatives from the Basque Government, from the three provinces, the three Basque capital cities and the Basque municipality community, EUDEL.
The journal of oral tradition dedicated an issue to the
bertsolaritza Izaskun Moyua during the Emakunde awards gala.
4 euskal etxeak euskal etxeak 5 A blog has been set up entitled “the Basque with the wheel barrow” The Fundación Sur Argentino and the Hegoalde Argentinarra Basque Centre May in Santa Cruz set up a blog entitled "the Basque with the wheelbarrow" to share experiences on this famous journey. Two years ago, the director Roberto Arizmendi made a documentary entitled "¡Gora Vasco!", reliving the journey made by Guillermo Larregui from Pamplona in 1935 in the figure of the young Basque- Argentinean Martin Arizmendi. The address of this blog is as follows: www. vascodelacarretilla.blogspot.com.
Elías Amezaga the “writer for the Konpondu meeting in the Círculo de Bellas Artes in Bilbao. Basques” has died The Vizcaya writer Elías Amezaga The Konpondu initiative defensive in terms of political Urlezaga, also known as the “writer brought together debate” and has a “deep-rooted plan for the Basques” died aged 86. citizens and political concerning his negotiating position.” Considered to be one of the most representatives prolific Basque authors writing in Konpondu, Basque Government Getxo Artea women’s Spanish, his bibliography includes initiative which aims to promote rugby team is Queen’s Sabino Arana, "Yo, demonio" (1957), citizen participation in building peace, Cup champion for the "Van Gogh y el más allá" (1959), brought together 275 people, who second time in their "Auto de fe en Valladolid" (1967), have debated in the municipal forums history. "Guía del perfecto inquisidor" (1968), over the last few months, face to face A fine finish for the Getxo Artea’s "Enrique Quarto" (1974), or the four with political representatives. The girls’ amazing season. The volumes of "Los vascos que Lehendakari, Juan José Ibarretxe, was ‘gualdinegras’ have polished off their escribieron en castellano" (Basques in attendance, and he assured that: “If great year by winning their second who wrote in Spanish) (1977-1993), we continue doing the same as we Queen’s Cup title, emerging a work which compiles a wide- have up to now, we will not be looking victorious from a well-fought, hard- reaching list of writers. for solutions, it’s clear that we’ve got won match against INEF Barcelona, to come up with something new.” champion for the last three Writer Bernardo consecutive years and favorite to Atxaga awarded The Lehendakari stated keep the title. the Mondello Prize that agreement is The Barcelona team tried every The Basque writer Bernardo Atxaga "necessary, convenient which way to get through but they received the Mondello Prize for and possible" barely managed to find a chink in literature in Italy. This ‘asteasuarra’ In his statement following his Getxo Artea’s impressive defensive was very pleased with his prize and meeting with the Spanish President, wall. Time ticked by slowly as joked “it always makes me happier to José Luís Rodríguez Zapatero, the supporters agonized but in the end know that they’ve given you a prize Lehendakari, Juan José Ibarretxe, victory was sweet. When the referee, despite not having a cousin on the assured “we still have time to start Paloma Loza, blew the whistle to jury.” Atxaga is currently preparing his down this new path together.” The finish the event, all the players two new books, which will be Basque president found that the hugged each other in the middle of released over the next few months. Spanish President was “on the the pitch.
4 euskal etxeak euskal etxeak 5 asian euskaldunak A sia in euskadi in Asia Basques
Euskal Herria eta Asiaren arteko harremanak beti existitu dira. Francisco Xabier jesuita Japonia barrena sartu zen lehenetariko europarra izan zen. Urdaneta Filipinasen garapenean oso garrantzitsua izan zen, “tornaviaje” itsas bidea deskubrituz. Gaur egun hainbat gazte Txinara joan dira, euskal enpresek bertan irekitzen dituzten lantegiak kudeatzeko. Baina gaur eguneko harremanak arlo kulturalera ere zabaltzen dira, Japonian batez ere. Bertako hainbat unibertsitatetan euskal kultura eta euskarazko klaseak ematen dituzte eta sortu berri dute Euskal-Japoniar Elkartea, bi herrien arteko harremanak estutzeko asmoz.
espite being on the other Philippines, where he is considered a Kagosima, Hirado, Kyoto, Bungo and side of the world, national hero. During 2008, 5th Yamaguchi. He won great popularity Basques have also made centenary of his birth, numerous events and became the western prototype their mark in Asia are being held both in the Philippines among the Japanese. throughout history. Two and in his birthplace. We should also DBasque characters in particular made a mention the head of state visit that the Destination China Basque name for themselves: St Francisco de president of the Philippines, Gloria emigration currently choosing Asia as Javier and Andrés de Urdaneta. Macapagal Arroyo, made in Euskadi last its destination is very different from the Andrés de Urdaneta from Gipuzkoa December. start of the last century to other was a key figure for developing the St Francisco de Javier also left his continents. It is focused on China and economy and society in the Philippines. imprint in Asia. His friendship with St linked to the Asian giant’s economic Urdaneta was born 500 years ago in the Ignacio de Loyola led to them jointly recovery and our own. Basque residents village of Ordizia in Gipuzkoa. This founding the Company of Jesus, in China are mainly young with sailor, astronomer and humanist religious congregation also known as management positions in Basque discovered "the tornaviaje", the name “Jesuits.” companies, who have gone over to he gave to the route between the The Navarran priest took off for Asia manage production in this country. Philippines and the American continent to spread his doctrine. His first stop was Economic relations with the Asian through the Pacific Ocean. Another India, but he really became popular in country have really taken off in the last outcome of the relations between Japan. This country had been described few years. From 2000 to 2007 Basque Basques and the people of the only a few years before and had been exports to China grew 480% and Philippines is the existence of a province discovered thanks to Marco Polo. He imports increased by 272%. Up to with the name New Vizcaya, the only was one of the first Westerners to December 31st 2007, 83 Basque one in world. This route was explore these lands. In the land of the companies had set up in China. A little fundamental for progress in the rising sun he visited the cities of more than half (47) have their own
6 euskal etxeak euskal etxeak 7 «Txinan bizi diren euskadun gehienak euskak enpresen kudeaketa lanetan Etxea. He is the director of the chance to visit China. Since then, with diharduten gazteak dira» Mondragón Cooperative delegations in a couple of years’ break in between, he Shangai and Shenzhen. Jokin did not has always lived in Asia. He is currently think twice about going to China, “it a partner in iGeo Investment & production plants and the rest have was a pretty easy decision, as I’d been Consulting, a consultancy and commercial set-ups. We should also traveling to China frequently for the investment company specialized in add the SPRI office, the Basque same work reasons for some time.” supporting companies in Government Promotion and Industrial One of the things that Jokin would internationalization processes related Reconversion Society, which aims to highlight about China is the speed that to China. The majority of his clients are make work easier for these companies. things are achieved: “it is a country from Euskadi. The majority of these companies which moves very fast and means we Iñigo defines his life there in one are located in cities such as Beijing, have to adapt to this situation quickly word: intense. “Work in an Jiangsu and Shangai. Shanghai houses to not get left behind, so that teaches international consultancy firm is very the only Euskal Etxea on the continent you to be much more flexible.” intense, frequently traveling around and the SPRI office. Although there is always time to China and abroad. And on the other Shangaiko Euskal Etxea opened in organize a few dinners in the Euskal hand, the social life in a city like 2004 with 17 members. Today, the Etxea. The major differences for Jokin Shanghai is also very lively….” majority of the Basques living in this are, without a doubt, the language and Regarding the greatest differences country are members, in addition to the culture. Despite this, he comments between the two cultures, Iñigo the majority of Basque companies. that “actually everyday life isn’t that recognizes that after 15 years he has Among the events organized by this different, despite the great contrasts.” lost his perspective a little. Although Basque centre, we should highlight the But there can be no doubt that what he clarifies that people are “much less ‘mus’ Championships, the Korrika in he misses the most is “our landscapes direct, less focused on the target than favor of Euskara, in addition to typical and the cuisine, along with my family.” on relationships, less legalist, in as lunches and dinners. Iñigo Mendiburu is another Basque much that they think more in the long Jokin Laspiur is a Basque who has living in China. He’s been in Asia since term and about the family group as a lived in China for the last four years 1989, when he received a grant to live broader aspect than about individuals.” and is a member of the Shangai Euskal in South Korea. This gave him the But for this Basque, despite
6 euskal etxeak euskal etxeak 7 «Aurten Euskal-Japoniar asian Elkartea sortu da, japoniarrez
Hihon Basuku Yukoukai eta 50
bazkide baino gehiago ditu» euskaldunak A sia globalization, the differences continue in to be large explaining why he believes: “It is necessary not only to get to know them, but to try and take it all on board as much as possible.” teach Christ's doctrine here, in the years he worked at the Japan Society 16th century.” He arrived at the tender for the Promotion of Science, Basques j A PA n a n d t h e cu lt u r a l age of 24 and has lived there ever promoting scientific studies. exchange With another large country since. He was one of the first Jesuits At university Sho discovered that in Asia, Japan, there are different types to go to Japan after the war. A large the letters written by St Francisco of relationships, more specifically part of his life has been dedicated to Javier were written in Euskara. This cultural. Despite the fact that St his work at the University and made him wonder “What is Euskara? Francisco de Javier led the way, there nowadays he is chaplain in the Jesuit What is Basque?” At the time, a are few Basques living or who have Old People’s home. He lives in a professor of his, Suzuko Tamura, lived in this country. The majority of peaceful spot on the outskirts of Tokyo, started to give Euskara classes at the them are missionaries who have come but twice a week he visits the city university and he signed up. After this to the land of the ‘rising sun’ to help centre to help out with University first taste he visited Euskadi and signed and work alongside their congregations. archiving. Merely getting to the center up to several euskaltegis. Talking about This is why relations are basically of a city with twelve million people is this experience he says “you Basques cultural. an odyssey, so when Tomás visits his made me grow up like just any other This very year the Euskal-Japoniar native Donostia he thinks: “Where is Basque.” Nowadays he studies two Elkartea/Basque-Japanese Society has everyone here?” basic aspects of our language. On the emerged, in Japanese Nihon Basuku There can be no doubt that what one hand, the relationship between Yukoukai. Its main objective is to create strikes Tomás most has been the city’s language and personality and on the a meeting place for fans of the Basque progress since he arrived up to the other hand the politics and linguistic culture and forge links between the present day: “I’ve seen Tokyo almost rights. two populations. It already has more completely destroyed, where the people The University of Woaseda in Tokyo than 50 members, most of whom are had nothing to eat or wear, with poor is currently offering Euskara classes. Japanese. huts as homes, growing little by little What started off as a an individual Tomás Eceizabarrena is an 85 year based on silent and constant work to initiative from professor Suzuko old Jesuit who has been living in Japan create an enormous city in a few Tamura, nowadays receives help from for 60 years. This explains why, when years.” HABE, Institute for Basque Culture, he’s asked where he comes from, he Despite not being born Basque, Sho Language and Adult Literacy. The replies that he is “a fellow-countryman Hagio loves Basque culture and University of Kansas Gadai in Osaka of St Francisco Javier.” Tomás says that particularly its language, Euskara. He is offers courses on Basque culture and everyone knows the founder of the linked to Euskal Herria by many things. the University of Kobe has a joint work Company of Jesus in Japan, “his name Right now he is working at the Nagoya agreement with the University of the appears in all the school text books Institute of Technology, in the foreign Basque Country for student and because he was the first person to action area. Although for more than 20 teacher exchanges.
8 euskal etxeak euskal etxeak 9 «We can affirm that nowadays practically all Basque industrial structure has direct or indirect links with China» Miren Madinabeitia SPRI Managing Director in Shanghai
iren Madinabeitia worked in the SPRI International Department in charge of North America and Asia Areas from 2003 to 2007. In 2007 she was transferred, as managing director, to the SPRI Representation Office in Shanghai which supports Basque Mcompanies developing their projects in China. Between 2000 and 2007 Basque exports to China grew 480% and imports grew in parallel by 272%. What has this progress been like and why? I should state that, traditionally, Basque exports have mainly been sold to European countries, with Germany and France mainly receiving products manufactured by Basque companies. The increase in economic relations between Euskadi and China has grown in both directions and the Basque business structure has managed to cover China’s needs for industrial products with a high added value to continue its unstoppable growth. Our competitive advantage revolves around the quality of the manufactured products, innovation and the strategy to join this Asian market, all making Euskadi a popular country to do business with for this great Asian giant. Products that Euskadi imports from China include: machinery (office equipment, electrical machinery, telecommunications
8 euskal etxeak euskal etxeak 9 equipment, 40%), manufacturing products: metals, China is currently the Asian country with the highest paper, wood (16%), textiles (12%) and the products it presence of Basque companies set up commercially or elka rr izketa exports to this country are mainly machinery and productively. There are approximately 100 companies transport equipment (40%), manufacturing products: implanted in this market and we can affirm that nowadays leather, paper, wood (16%) and chemical products practically all Basque industry has direct or indirect links to (12%). China. Many of these companies make the most of their What advantages does China bring to the companies? strategic location in China to tackle other Asian markets, vie w Gu r e China’s spectacular industrial development over the although each one requires specific attention. India is last thirty years is a unique phenomenon in the modern another large country offering opportunities in some history of the economy. Even though its worldwide sectors, although working under very different inte r leadership position was not so clear until the end of parameters to China. the 1990s, there can be doubt about it nowadays.
O U R Low production costs, enormous human capabilities What steps does a company have to follow if they want to absorb jobs and an increase in sea and air transport to set up in China? between different continents have been determining Any company considering coming to China must be fully factors in getting Chinese products to the most remote aware of the steps to be taken before they make a corners of the world. definitive decision. You need to analyze the why and the For the fourth consecutive year, China continues to how of this question. be the top Machine-Tool purchaser, this year they will Some companies are obliged to come to China by manufacture more than 10 million cars in the country, their own clients. Others are making a desperate attempt consume half the cement that is made in the whole to maintain their industrial activity in an environment world and a third of the steel. These are parameters, as which has lost competitiveness due to high production an example, which cannot be ignored and in this respect, costs in Europe. And there are other companies that see it is necessary to have a strong presence on this market. China as a great sales potential, thanks to its economic The advantages which China offers Basque companies development and consequently increasing consumption are, on the one hand, supplying raw materials, parts or habits now they represent one fifth of the world’s subassemblies of manufactured products at a very population. competitive price and on the other hand the market The steps to take would be: opportunity which has opened up through internal 1. Run an analysis on which critical factors make it consumption with greater purchasing power for Chinese necessary for us to set up in China. consumers. 2. Draw up a study on the most suitable way of setting up for each case: representation office, sales office, What disadvantages are there? 100% own set-up, or through a joint-venture agreement China’s disadvantages can be summarized by saying that with a local partner. it is a tremendously complicated market. The sheer size 3. Have the right human resources at both ends. of the country and therefore the distances between 4. Have the necessary financial resources, in line with different locations, the complexity of a very traditional each company's capabilities and size. society which is very different from the Western world, 5. Have a support structure and continual monitoring in in addition to the language barrier, are the most difficult the mother company, making sure that the structure obstacles for anyone trying to get a foothold in this operates correctly abroad. massive market. What is guanxi? Could China be the first step in a wide expansion of The majority of foreign companies find it complicated Basque companies throughout Asia? and sometimes frustrating to penetrate the Chinese
10 euskal etxeak euskal etxeak 11 Gure elkarrizketa
«Gure arrakasta
Asiarekiko epe SPRI’s work in China laburreko aldaketarako and its challenges in Asia The SPRI office in Shanghai was set up in egokitze gaitasunaren February 2003. Over these five years it has supported different projects by Basque araberakoa izango da» companies that have made the decision to set up there or run occasional business development actions.
Our actions are centered on providing: market largely due to not knowing about guanxi and its important implications for business. 1. Information and analysis of the target The word guanxi means: relations, social connections, market, with a product/sector focus and with direct source resources. contacts, access to… everything leading us to achieving 2. Commercial introduction: Advertising for certain targets. It is made up of two characters: guang and recruiting agents, representatives and and xi; guang means door or exit and xi means link. In a distributors. broad sense, this term refers to relations or social 3. Assistance for commercial and production connections based on mutual interest and profit. implantation abroad. In addition to the network of social connections, it is 4. Temporary location on the SPRI-Euskarri very important to maintain close relationships with local, Office business platform and support from the municipal, provincial institutions or higher levels for local professional team. business to be successful. 5. Organization of individualized prospecting trips with work agendas and “in situ” liaison. What type of relationship will we see in the next few 6. Assistance in processing and monitoring years in economic relations between Euskadi and technical certificates, homologations, licenses Asia? and other administrative procedures. The force of the Asian economies has moved the 7. Assistance in registering industrial intellectual property (brands, patents, development and growth nucleus to this place in the inventions, designs and industrial models). world. Also, taking into account that indicators predict a 8. Contact with local authorities and recession in the American economy, this could point to administrations abroad and with other our goals being centered on planning fast actions for this economic and institutional agents. continent. Euskadi has to overcome a great challenge and 9. Access to financial grants for foreign set-up to do that, it needs professionals who are ready to make a projects (Gauzatu Implantaciones Exteriores). great effort to tackle it. Chinese companies are preparing to move into Africa, Regarding the rest of Asia, SPRI is opening a Europe and America through large foreign investment new representation office in India, specifically in Mumbai and we are present in other projects. countries through Agents in: Vietnam, Japan, Our success or failure in Asia will largely depend on South Korea and Thailand. how well prepared we are for this transformation which is really just around the corner.
10 euskal etxeak euskal etxeak 11 Andoni Martin: «Starting domestic tasks from early years».
Benan Oregi: «I know what’s important in life».
Benan Oregi and Andoni Martin, technicians from the Directorate for Relations with Basque Communities Abroad and Josu Legarreta, Director.
Basque men in favor of equality
Emakundek emakume eta gizonen arteko berdintasuna lortzeko Gizonduz ekimena jarri du martxan. Helburua nagusia gizonezkoak berdintasunaren politikan mugiaraztea da, parte aktiboa bilakatuz. Horretarako administrazioarekin batera hainbat dinamika jarriko ditu martxan.
he Basque Women’s Institute, Emakunde, has internationally accepted conclusions came in 2004 in a been working for 20 years in favor of equality session of the United Nations Women’s Legal and Social for men and women in Euskadi. To promote Condition Commission. this work, at the end of 2007 the Director of Among the measures proposed to the different Emakunde, Izaskun Moyua, and the governments we should highlight applying programs TLehendakari, Juan José Ibarretxe, presented an initiative aimed at men and children to encourage them to called Gizonduz, promoted by the Basque Government participate in favor of equality in school and at work, from Emakunde, aiming to implicate men in this area. looking after and supporting other people and preventing In the 1970s, equality plans were centered on a single and eliminating all forms of violence. A special mention issue: women, but equality policies were redefined in the was also made for men in leadership positions and the 1980s encouraging men to take a more important role to attitude which they should adopt in these policies. boost equality. The European Union, in its “road map for equality The first step was made in the 4th World Conference 2006-2011,” offers a reflection in the same respect and on Women held in 1995 in Beijing, whose conclusions establishes that men’s participation in family life should encouraged men to guarantee equality. However, the first be stimulated, particularly regarding paternity leave.
12 euskal etxeak euskal etxeak 13 made to understand the negative consequences of “traditional masculinity.” To do this, it is proposed to boost their participation in courses organized by the IVAP (Basque Public Administration Institute) and in specialized university postgraduate courses. The last major target set by Gizonduz is to increase men’s responsibility for housework and caring for other people. This involves giving administration workers more free time for this type of work in the event of paternity or if they have people in their care. These measures will attempt to broaden the rest of the production sectors. It must be taken into account that a new, more egalitarian, model of cohabitation not only benefits women but also society in general and men. The current Josu Legarreta: «I do it everyday. It’s worth situation also affects men negatively. Their life expectancy just as much as a top executive’s job». is currently lower, they are more likely to suffer dependencies, they suffer the most serious work-related accidents, etc, etc, Finally, equality plans which implicate men must have Euskadi has not stepped aside from these international a main player: the men themselves, each person’s directives and so has implemented the initiative entitled implication in the tasks which traditionally have been Gizonduz, as greater participation from men also done exclusively by women goes above and beyond the represents strengthening women’s social-labor situation governmental programs. and greater equality. This is the main idea of the Equality Law approved by the Basque Parliament in 2005. The Gizonduz initiative, in this respect, was set up in a favorable environment and at a historic moment. The The Lehendakari, Juan José issue of men and their relationship with equality has been Ibarretxe, presided over the gaining momentum over the last few years. When it was signing of the Basque men’s still unexplored territory, they were already talking at charter for equality Emakunde about new models of masculinity in the international Congress entitled “Men in the new social Accompanied by twenty six men and the order” organized in San Sebastian in 2001. And the topic director of Emakunde, Izaskun Moyua, the has made a strong return to the arena, at the SARE Lehendakari presented the Basque men’s international congress entitled “Masculinity and everyday charter for equality on 23rd April. The men life” held last November, which analyzed the incidence of signing the charter included representatives traditional masculinity models on the everyday life of men from the world of culture, sport, media and and women. Gizonduz has set three major targets. The first is to some who had created reflection groups over raise awareness among more men concerning equality the last few years revolving around equality between men and women. To do this, awareness raising and new masculinities. campaigns will be carried out and an Internet site will be In his speech, the Lehendakari expressed set up which is specialized in men and equality. In this his wish for Euskadi to be known throughout field, we should highlight drawing up the “Basque men’s the world “for Basque men’s degree of charter for equality and against violence towards women,” commitment working jointly with women in which it is hoped that all Basque men will follow, all over favor of equality.” Because, in his opinion, no the world, to show their commitment to equality. The society can boast democracy without effective charter will be available on the www.euskadi.net site in equality, nor can it solve domestic violence four languages and it can be signed over the Internet. problems without achieving this equality. The second major challenge is to increase the number of men who are trained in female equality. Men must be
12 euskal etxeak euskal etxeak 13 bertatik
Alfonso Dubois
Basque Relief Worker of the Year 2007 Doctor of Economics and Professor at the University of the Basque Country
Currently president of the Hegoa Institute «One of Hegoa’s identity signs has been assuming human development as a reference»
The Hegoa Institute, associated with the from the aforementioned sections to Basque University of the Basque Country, was set up society; d) train people who want to work more than twenty years ago, in 1987. It was professionally or intensely in research, training or founded out of concern for international running projects in the field of development; e) development and cooperation issues to form part work on promoting and researching new of the university’s research activity and training international cooperation development initiatives programs. At the same time, it wanted to build which meet the objectives of human development up a more fluent, two-way relationship between and greater integration of people to run them; f) the university and society, so that people would offer training, information, documentation and find out about the real situation of the problems consultancy services. faced by countries as they strive for development. In meeting these targets, one of Hegoa’s Hegoa works along with other people and identity signs has been assuming human institutions in our country and other countries to: development as a reference. This development a) obtain better knowledge of the circumstances centers on human beings and establishes that of different societies and the people in our world wealth does not lie in resources but what which will mean we can denounce and help to resources can manage to do for people. overcome situations of poverty, injustice and The Hegoa website (www.hegoa.ehu.es) inequality which are creating obstacles for human contains a description of its main activities, and development; b) research the causes of these the virtual library specializing in international situations; c) distribute the knowledge derived development and cooperation issues.
14 euskal etxeak euskal etxeak I GAZTEMUNDU 2008 COMING SOON
14 euskal etxeak euskal etxeak I GAZTEMUNDU 2008 COMING SOON
nother year on, to meet certain requirements: be be three leading instruments: the the Directorate aged between 18 and 30 years old, txalaparta, trikitrixa and txistu which for Relations have been a member of a Basque are also the most popular traditional with Basque Government recognized Euskal Etxea instruments. CommunitiesA abroad has for at least 3 years, live outside the commissioned the Gaztemundu Basque Autonomous Community, Four clear objectives program, which has been held since produce a piece of work or study 1996. on the topic which is proposed Vitoria-Gasteiz Municipal Folklore This is a 15 day trip to Euskadi for in the annual resolution and have Academy has set the young youth members of different Basque not benefited from this grant or participants four objectives: Centers throughout the world. competition previously. Firstly, find out how traditional This program has two objectives: This 2008 edition, Gaztemundu music and dance stands in Basque on the one hand for them to discover will be centered on traditional society today. the land of their ancestors and on the Basque musical instruments and 30 Secondly, understand traditional other, and maybe more importantly, young people will take part, from six music’s evolution process, from the that they are trained to be able to countries (Argentina, United States, 18th century to the present day, continue work in their respective Peru, Chile, Uruguay and Colombia) analyzing its evolution, transmission centers and take over from older and 20 Basque Centers. and maintenance in traditional music members when the time comes. The courses will be organized and dance. Young people who wish to by the Municipal Folklore Academy Thirdly, analyze work and take part in this initiative have from Vitoria-Gasteiz. There will participation systems in traditional
II gazt txokoa Gaztelumunduren parte garran- tzitsuena tailerrak izango dira. Bertan euskal dantzak, txistua, panderoa eta perkusioa, txalaparta eta kanta herrikoiak landuko dira.
Basque music and dance in the Euskal Etxea environment, sharing different models and analyzing new proposals. Finally, study and find out about current resources for work in traditional music and dance.
Workshops, conferences and concerts
In order to meet these objectives, the two week stay will involve workshops, talks and conferences, musical demonstrations-exhibitions, promoting participation and exchange and “euskal musika tresnak (Basque participants will make a series of visits forums, visits with a musical flavor musical instruments)” by Juan Mari with a musical flavor: they will go to and, of course, recreational trips to Beltrán. Herri Musikaren Txokoa in Oiartzun, different parts of Euskal Herria. As far as the demonstrations- run by Juan Mari Beltrán, they will The most important part of discussions are concerned, they aim visit the Alava towns of Larrea, to see Gaztemundu will be the workshops to stimulate discussion between Soka Dantza by the people of Hermua where participants will be divided Gaztemundu participants and and Larrea and Elciego, for the festival into different groups based on different musicians on the pieces of Santa Isabel. their prior musical knowledge and played in the demonstration. They But they will also enjoy other more training. These groups will work on will be performed by Gasteizko recreational-tourism trips to get to euskal dantza, txistu, tambourine and Folklore Eskola, Gaiteros de Elciego, know the land of their ancestors percussion, txalaparta and traditional Bilbao Txistulari Band, Aiko taldea better. In Rioja Alavesa they will singing. and Joseba Tapia. visit the wine museum, in addition Conferences will be given by Participation forums will to enjoying the classic visit to a local experts, each presenting a specific analyze the current situation of winery. In Donostia they will visit the topic. There will be five talks: dance and music groups in Euskal city and go to a concert given by the “traditional clothing” by Ane Albizu, Etxeak. Different documentation Municipal Txistulari Band. In Iruñea “txistu, and its evolution over the will be studied looking at existing they will have the chance to take part last thirty years” by José Ignacio methodological and didactic in the San Fermín festival. Finally, Ansorena, “dantza taldeak, historical possibilities. in Vitoria-Gasteiz, they will visit St review and current situation” by Oier In order to get more in-depth Mary’s Cathedral. Arazola, “la alboka” by Sabin Bikandi knowledge of Basque music, the young
gazt txokoa III «Don’t let this opportunity pass you by»
The courses are topic-based and meet the Basque centers' needs
How many young people have participated in the Why is it worth continuing this program? Gaztemundu Program since 1996? It is a training program, especially since 2002, giving topic- Exactly 500 people have taken part in Gaztemundu since based courses around areas proposed by the Basque Centers 1996. themselves. The training topics for the Gaztemundu trip According to the survey carried out recently among have been set for the next four years. This decision was former participants (answered by 24%), Argentina has been taken during the 4th Basque Communities Congress which the best represented country, with 63%, followed by United was held in July 2007, and it appears in the Four Year States and Uruguay, with 9%; As far as education levels are Institutional Plan of Action 2008-2011. As they are concerned, most participants are university-educated and “custom-made” courses it would be impossible to find such are currently working. As participants are mainly fourth high quality training in their own countries. It is therefore (39%) and third (28%) generation, the program meets a very an opportunity which young people should not miss out on. important goal: helping these young people today get to Apart from this program giving access to excellent know the land that their ancestors left. They all maintain quality courses, it is also useful to set up mutual knowledge important links with it because, let’s not forget, they are all platforms. Many other initiatives and exchanges have members of a Basque Center, most of them since they were sprung up from Gaztemundu. born.
How many of them have continued to take part in initiatives in their respective Euskal Etxeax? Despite only visiting Euskadi for a short time on this program, this experience makes a big impression on the participants. In fact, not only do they continue participating in the Basque Center as members, but they tend to take on greater responsibilities, implicating themselves and running certain programs (29%), or even as members of the Governing Body (35% of those answering the survey). In short, we can say that, even though young people in Basque Centers tend to distance themselves from their Basque Centers for a few years to go off and study, depending on whether their home cities have a University, etc., we have also seen a return to the institution once they form their own families and start to have children.
Are there any young people in this program who are now involved in managing their centers? Without the shadow of a doubt, we can say that current or future managers of the majority of the current 161 Basque Benan Oregi, Centers have participated in an edition of Gaztemundu. technician for the Directorate for Relations with Basque Communities Abroad
IV gazt txokoa kanpotik
Meritxell Relaño Arana
Official for the Panama City Education Program, Panama (Regional UNICEF Office for Latin America and the Caribbean until 2003
Specialist in Education Maputo, Mozambique (UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) today.
«My career abroad prepared me professionally to contribute to today’s Euskadi in matters relating to cooperation»
My international experience started in 1999 in Colombia, took me on as a civil servant, expert in education, for the aged 26, thanks to a Basque Government Grant for Work United Nations Mission in West Timor. That was a tough Experience in United Nations Organizations. At the time I experience which taught me about another part of the was working as a coordinator for NGDOs in Euskadi which world and a complicated humanitarian situation. From I loved, but I had already experienced working in the Third Timor I went to Panama, where I worked for 2 years and World thanks to the NGO Bateginez, from Durango, where from Panama to Mozambique where I have spent the last I had been a volunteer. This took me to Guatemala twice 5 years in charge of the education and HIV prevention to see with my own eyes that life was very different from program. It’s a fascinating job, with great challenges and back home. I was already hooked… the chance to learn and innovate. Over these 9 years, UNICEF So, the Basque Government and the Basque UNICEF has given me great opportunities for training and furthering committee gave me the chance to fulfill my dream, discover my professional career. I’m currently at one of those points, other cultures and develop my career in the area of taking a sabbatical to finish my doctoral thesis at the UPV, development cooperation. I arrive in Bogotá in January in the Department of International Relations. I come home ’99 with two suitcases and bags of enthusiasm to learn. I at least once a year and I find it hard to leave every time was incredibly lucky that the Regional UNICEF office for because I’ve got my family and friends there. However my Latin America and the Caribbean took me in and taught career abroad has brought me great joy and moments of me much of what I know today. As an intern, my work was solitude, whilst also preparing me professionally to now to support the regional education consultant, who had only be able to contribute to Euskadi in terms of cooperation, been in the job 5 months, so I had to learn his job and my all thanks to the opportunity I was given in 1999 by people own, in a 'sink or swim' type situation. After a great effort who wanted to invest in youth and in their professional and with a lot of support and guidance from other experts development seeing the possibilities for success in that in the office, my work paid off and in a year and a half they company. For this trust, eskerrik asko.
euskal etxeak 15 MARI CARMEN GALLASTEGI comes from Bergara in Gipuzkoa. She holds the Chair for Economics at the University of the Basque Country and she was the first woman to receive the Euskadi Prize for Research. In the 1990s she was Minister of the Economy, when Euskadi was going through significant industrial changes. Nowadays she is the director of Ikerbasque, a foundation created by the Basque Government to promote research in Euskadi. «We have to work hard and in the right direction to someday be an international research benchmark»
our years as a Minister were important as And in 2005 you became the first woman to receive the Euskadi was in the middle of its economic and Euskadi Research Prize. What do you remember about Yindustrial recovery. How do you remember that that moment and how would you rate being the first period? women? I remember the time when I was Minister as a hard period I was really excited about the Euskadi Prize because it economically because the 91-93 crisis was looming, the macro- recognized the work I’d put into an academic career which economic variables were teetering, unemployment figures were demanded a lot of energy and passion. It also came after a cause for concern and we were not growing enough to be receiving the National Lucas Mayada Prize for Economics able to converge with the most advanced European economies. and the Environment which proved to me that I’d made the On the other hand, it was a time that I remember fondly right choice to move into that area after finishing my because I was fascinated by the analysis and compressing the doctorate in the USA. Being the first woman was a fantastic economic situation and could see that economic theory could plus and I have to thank my parents who made a great effort be used to explain it all. In addition, I got on very well with all when we were girls (I have two sisters) to instill in us that the members of the Government, even though that Government knowledge is exceedingly valuable and that the effort it ended up toppling for a matter which nowadays we would takes to acquire it will always pay off. Obviously without consider almost trivial. The Government was dissolved and support from my husband and without a major effort to some of us went back to square one overnight. I also had the combine family and academic life this would not have been opportunity to be the only female Minister in the first three- possible. party Government. It was an interesting life experience. You have always defended the fact that economic profit is compatible with respecting the environment… The environment is an impressive asset without which we could not run the vast majority of our economic activities. As humans we leave an ecological footprint merely by living on the Planet but obviously this footprint can be minimized if we are conscious of it and if we don’t act like an invading species. We must be aware that our quality of life depends on how we care for the environment and that we cannot maintain economic activity profits continuously unless we look for a system which takes the services provided by the Planet into consideration properly. But yes, I believe that if we do things properly we don’t have to stop growing, in terms of environmental quality of course.
16 euskal etxeak euskal etxeak 17 Euskal jendea
Over the last few years you have become the visible head of Ikerbasque. How did that come about? I believe I am in charge of Ikerbasque because it is an idea which has been going round my head since Catalonia created Icrea, an institution with similar goals to Ikerbasque. Whenever I could, I commented to political and university bigwigs that creating a solid institution capable of attracting research talent to our scientific system should be an absolute priority. I suppose that this interest and the fact that the project was approved at a time when the people in charge knew me well were determining factors.
What are Ikerbasque’s main challenges? Ikerbasque has a primary goal to attract excellent researchers to join the different Basque university system centers and groups or the scientific system, not necessary linked to the University. The second is to create flexible institutions where high level research is carried out to be able to compete with international benchmark centers. The Research Centers that we are creating – the Climate Change center has been set up and we have approved the creation of a Mathematics Center which we are actively working on – are configured as nodes which carry out excellent research generating synergies for the whole research system. There are other Centers, not yet approved by the Board, which are also taking shape. It is a matter of finding capable people and flexible institutions, well connected with the international network and generating important synergies for the research groups which already exist in our university system. The third goal, more abstract, is for Ikerbasque to become the benchmark for research excellence. This is a matter of What role does research play in new economic working earnestly in this field and not being distracted challenges? from our main proposal. Generating skills to improve New economic challenges emerge from the globalization research, we will meet the challenge of achieving process, energy and environment-related problems and excellence and we will participate actively in the second the need to develop what some economists call the great transformation. There would be no innovation if “weightless economy”. These challenges require there was no knowledge and therefore creativity and innovative agents, creative people, basic and applied research. research in technology, processes and managing people and institutions (public and private). Science and Do you believe that Euskadi has the right conditions to research are used to diagnose problems clearly, design become a worldwide reference in research? actions to resolve them and generate innovative We have to work hard and in the right direction to instruments capable of putting these actions or policies someday be an international research benchmark. In into practice. In our country, innovation is going to be addition to investments in this activity, we need to fundamental to maintain our economic and social design incentives mechanisms properly, new institutions, wealth, to maintain and improve the quality of life that inter-relations with existing institutions and a policy to we are currently enjoying and there is no innovation, as attract researchers. We want to become a reference I said before, without high quality research, without point but we’ve still got a long way to go. creativity and without human and financial effort.
16 euskal etxeak euskal etxeak 17 america
center and editor, Mr. José Vicente Trip to South America Katarain, who has released 2020 different publications in 31 years. Between April 23rd and May 2nd, tant conference given by the Vice The lecturer was presented by Josu the director of the Basque Com- President of the Bogotá Basque Legarreta. munities, Josu Legarreta and the technician Andoni Martín met wi- th representatives from the Basque Centers in Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay. The trip aimed to present the Four Year Plan 2008-2011 appro- ved by the Advisory Council for the Basque Communities, present re- formulations of the rules and the new website project for Basque centers and Federations. The meetings were well atten- ded by numerous representatives and there was lively debate on the topics which were raised. Another two specific programs were run during the trip: the event commemorating the Bombarding of Gernika held around the fledgling Gernika Tree located in a Montevideo park and participation in the International Book Fair in Buenos Aires, including an impor- Josu Legarreta and José Vicente Katarain in the Basque Government Delegation in Argentina.
Brussels
The Lehendakari visited Brussels In his second session he met the President of Flanders, Kris The Lehendakari, Juan José Miren Azkarate. Among meetings Peeters. Both presidents advoca- Ibarretxe, made an official trip to attended by the Lehendakari, we ted working together to put Eus- Brussels where he held different should highlight his first port of kadi and Flanders in the innova- meetings with European and call visiting the President of the tion and education “top 5” by Flemish officials. The Lehendakari Regions Committee, Luc Van den 2020. Before this meeting, the visited this Central European city Brande, with whom he tackled the Lehendakari held a working with the Minister for Education, issue of the role of the European breakfast with the Flanders Fo- Universities and Research, Tontxu regions and communities within reign Minister, Geert Bourgeois. Campos and the Culture Minister, the European framework.
18 euskal etxeak euskal etxeak 19 kanpo harremanak official activities abroad
laburrak The Basque Government officially recognized the “Santa Cruz Hegoalde Argentinarra Basque Center”
In its weekly meeting, the Basque Cabinet of Ministers officially recognized the “Santa Cruz Hegoalde Argentinarra Basque center” in Rio The Euskal-Japoniar Elkartea/ Gallegos, province of Santa Cruz Basque-Japanese Association visited (Argentina). This Euskal Etxea will therefore become join the official the Directorate for Relations with Basque Center register. Basque Communities The Basque Cabinet of The Euskal-Japoniar Elkartea/ Japanese, and it tries to provide a Ministers approved the Basque-Japanese Society visited space for people interested in the decree which regulates the Directorate for Relations with Basques, their culture and language. Basque Communities on April 8th. It also advocates closer relations grants to Euskal Etxeak The Delegation for this group was between the two countries. The Basque Cabinet of Ministers received by the general manager, During the reception Josu approved the Legal Decree regulating Josu Legarreta Bilbao. Legarreta received a picture the concession of grants to different This association has more than showing the word “Basque” in Basque Centers. These grants can be 50 members, most of them Japanese. used for the Centers own operating costs or to run annual programs or specific non-profit making activities. Iñaki Aguirre, Secretary Official reception for the Presentation of the General for Foreign representative of the Euskara Munduan Action in the Basque Tibetan people, Thubten program Government, spoke Wangchen before the European The Lehendakari, Juan José Ibarretxe, The Basque Government presented Regions Committee gave an official reception for the re- the Euskara Munduan 2008-2011 presentative from the House of Tibet program. Over the next few years, The Basque Government Secretary in Barcelona, Thubten Wangchen. this program aims to train 28 General for Foreign Action, Iñaki The Lehendakari conveyed the Bas- irakasles from Argentina, Uruguay, Aguirre, spoke before the European que People’s respect for Tibetan iden- Chile, Brazil, Peru and Colombia. The Commissioner for the Information tity and supported their cause. He HABE institute (Institute for Basque Society and Media, Viviane Reding, said that he did not understand “that Culture, Language and Adult Literacy) during the 74th plenary session of such large populations could be so is coordinating the whole project the Regions Committee. In his afraid of such small, humble and pa- with special help from the different speech, entirely in Euskara, the cifist populations like Tibet or the Basque centers, particularly the FEVA, Secretary defended the role of Basques.” FIVU and NABO federations. regions in reducing the digital gap.
18 euskal etxeak euskal etxeak 19 Juan José Ibarretxe Lehendakariak Gobernu Batzordearen ez ohiko bilerara deitu zuen. Bertan urrian ospatu behar den galdeketaren Lege Proiektua onartu zen. Bi izango dira luzatuko diren galderak: "Ados zaude indarkeriari elkarrizketa bidez amaiera emateko prozesu bat bultzatzearekin, baldin eta ETAk aldez aurretik erakusten badu zalantzarik gabeko moduan indarkeriari behin eta betiko amaiera emateko borondatea?" eta "Ados zaude euskal alderdiek, bazterketarik gabe, Euskal Herriaren erabakitzeko eskubidea gauzatzeari buruz Akordio Demokratiko bat lortzeko negoziazio-prozesu bati ekitearekin, eta Akordio hori 2010. urtea bukatu baino lehen erreferendumera jartzearekin?" EUSKADITIK
«We want to exercise the right to decide in order to improve the well-being of Basque society»
In a speech following the extraordinary session of the Basque Cabinet of Ministers, Lehendakari Juan José Ibarretxe unveiled the two questions to be put to the public by referendum in October of this year. At the session, the Cabinet passed a bill calling for a referendum for peace and coexistence and laying down the specific regulations of the law. The first step in the procedure will be to win approval from the Basque Parliament. The day after the public announcement, the Lehendakari himself brought the referendum bill before the Basque Parliament, accompanied by Council members Joseba Azkarraga and Javier Madrazo.
Full text of the Lehendakari's presentation:
Egun on! apolitical agreement has been perma- We said that we were not going to The Cabinet Meeting we are holding nently rejected. accept a refusal to dialogue and search today is a truly historic event for this The only response we have received for solutions, and that we rejected the country, for Euskadi. It is a meeting has been "No." It's always "No"! We idea that the matter was finished with held in an atmosphere of hope, the find ourselves up against a wall that ETA's decision to end the ceasefire fo- kind of hope surrounded only by the permanently obstructs any political ini- llowing negotiations with the Spanish desire to bring our dreams to reality. tiative in this country. And we are not government. We said that democratic We have put forward a Referendum willing to live in a never-ending spiral Basque institutions had to take action, Bill. Why? Because we wish to convey with no hope for a solution. As Lehen- that we had to take responsibility and to society a sense of legal security; be- dakari and on behalf of the legitimate that we were going to take the initiati- cause we wish to convey to Basque so- and democratic institutions of the Bas- ve. First we would express our willing- ciety that as the government of this que Country, I am even less willing to ness to reach a political agreement wi- country we have a political com- accept a situation whereby the Spanish th the Spanish president and if our mitment to do so, a commitment to gi- government and the Spanish president offer was rejected, we would take steps ve Basque society the final say in the are willing to negotiate political agree- to break the stalemate. We do not want matter openly, with full transparency. ments with ETA and with Batasuna but to go back in time. We, the democratic are not willing to negotiate and sign institutions of the Basque Country, do Why? agreements with democratic Basque not want to return to a destructive Because the offer I made to President institutions. We are not willing to ac- past characterized by the cruel and in- José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero last Octo- cept a strategy which places all the human violence of ETA, or the lack of ber with an outstretched hand to reach political power in the hands of ETA. political dialogue between Basque and
20 euskal etxeak euskal etxeak 21 Spanish institutions, nor between Bas- We want to break the political stalema- Democratic Principle: que political parties. ETA must not be te by calling on all Basque parties to "Do you agree that Basque political allowed to turn the conversation on negotiate and reach an agreement be- parties, without exclusions, should and off like a light switch, to dictate fore the end of 2010. initiate a negotiation process to reach when we can and cannot talk, by decla- • And we want Basque society to start a Democratic Agreement on the right ring a ceasefire or by declaring an end the process on October 25, 2008 and of the Basque People to decide their to its ceasefire. complete this process in a referendum own future, and to put the agreement We, the democratic institutions of in 2010. In short, we want Basque so- to a referendum before the end of the Basque Country, want to lead this ciety and only Basque society to be the 2010?" country in the search for solutions in ones to legitimize the entire process – order to achieve peace and political from beginning to end. What for? Why? agreements. We are determined to keep 1• Because we want an Agreement our word to Basque society! Ethical Principal: between Basques. "Do you agree to support a negotia- Because, contrary to what has been What do we expect? ted end to violence, if ETA unequi- the case so far, we want Spain to res- • From the Basque Parliament, we ex- vocally declares it wishes to put an pect the agreements made between pect all of the political parties to vote end to violence once and for all?" Basques. The Statute of Gernika, the 'yes' on this law. We expect a yes vote, agreement between Basques, has yet to naturally, from the three parties that What for? Why? be fulfilled 30 years on and the promise make up the Basque tripartite govern- 1• Because we want peace. Because made to the Basque people is still un- ment. We also expect a yes vote from we need peace. Because the Basque fulfilled 30 years later. Aralar, the PP, EHAK and the Basque people deserve peace. We want to put 2• Because we want to break the poli- Socialist Party, because we are convin- ETA in its place, by demanding that it tical stalemate by calling on all Basque ced that no political party, no Member abandon violence once and for all. parties to negotiate and reach an agre- of Parliament, will refuse to allow Bas- 2• Because we want Basque society to ement on the right of the Basque People que society to have the final word. We make an ethical commitment to oppose to decide their future. have taken this decision calmly but we ETA violence in similar terms to those A right to decide at all levels – econo- are firm in our resolve. put forward in the Ajuria Enea Agree- mic, social, and cultural decisions at the The idea that determining the opi- ment and the Spanish Congress in May self-government level; decisions on re- nion of the people will divide the people 2005. lations with other Basque communities is incomprehensible. It is just the oppo- This stated expressly, "that the de- and territories; and the right to decide site. What divides a people is doing mocratic principle that political issues things without knowing what they rea- on the political relationship we wish to must be resolved only through the legi- lly want; we cannot understand the ar- have with Spain. timate representatives of the people gument that by determining the opinion cannot be waived" and that "while res- 3•Because we must be able to decide of our own citizens divides the society pecting this principal at all times, if the to live together. in which we live. appropriate conditions arise for a nego- - If there is no freedom to decide, co- • What we expect from the citizens of tiated end to the violence, based on a existence is not free, it is imposed! the Basque Country is for every man clear wish to put an end to the violence - Coexistence and the right to decide and woman to take 45 seconds to read and on unambiguous evidence leading are inseparable concepts. two simple questions, and for just one to this conviction, we support a process - We want to have the right to decide moment to act in consequence, rising of dialogue between the competent au- and the right to freely coexist. above the noise and insults so common thorities of the State and those who 4• Because we want to exercise the in political circles and the media. decide to abandon violence." right to decide in order to improve the Don't let anyone decide for you! 3• Because, in accordance with these well-being of Basque society, the well- commitments, the most convincing and being of each and every one of the men What do we want? effective way of rejecting ETA and vio- and women who live and work in this • We want peace. We want to put ETA lence is to demand that it disappear, country today. However they think and in its place … by demanding that it once and for all, by telling ETA that po- whoever they vote for. abandon violence once and for all. licy-making is done by elected politi- - In short, because we want to exercise • We want agreement between Bas- cians, the legitimate representatives of the right to decide so that we can live ques. the people. better lives.
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Centro basko euzko etxea in la plata
ur center was founded in 1944 by a group of Basque members and plays an important role in keeping Basque Oimmigrants who set out to fulfill their dream of culture alive. The txikis, medium, senior and zaharrak taking a piece of their homeland with them to Argentina, dance troupes, participate in all the Center's festivals, the country that welcomed them with open arms. That promoting dance in institutions and events in the city year over 100 founding members approved the and in other euskal etxeak throughout the country. organization's bylaws and decided to buy a place where Euskara has been taught at the center since the the various activities could take place. Four years later 1970s. Today we have over 40 members of different the governing board decided to buy the property used by levels being taught the language by qualified young the club today as its headquarters. Located on the corner teachers. An agreement was reached between the La of 14th and 58th streets in La Plata, the building features Plata euskal etxea and Argentina's National University of a trinquet court, making it possible to realize the dream La Plata to create a special Basque department. As a of playing ball right on the premises. result, for over 15 years significant names from a Our club has undergone a number of changes over different areas of Basque art and culture have made this the years. Most recently, an assembly hall and multi- department a point of reference for the Basque people, sport gymnasium were added, bringing the total amount sponsoring conferences, film cycles featuring Basque of covered floor space in the club to 2500 square meters. directors, encounters with other communities and many As well as expanding the building itself, we have also other activities throughout the year. sponsored social, cultural and sports-related activities in As for Basque music, our center sponsors adult and the city, encouraging the entire community to take part. children's choirs, both of which boast a wide repertoire Today our euskal etxea accounts for nearly one thousand of songs in Euskara. The choirs give performances at
22 euskal etxeak euskal etxeak 23 euskal etxeak
different events in the city regional tournaments. This and sing at all of the past April saw the launch of festivities organized by our Athletic Club Bilbao de La club. Two years ago a Plata, a school for young group of young musicians football (soccer) players, and members of our officially sponsored by the organization came up with Athletic Club of Bilbao. It is a the idea of putting great honor for Argentina to together a string quartet. be represented by such a They now play a variety of prestigious football classical pieces written by organization from Euskadi. Basque composers. Our Mus and canasta are also members also have access very popular among both to our library, which offers men and women at our a significant collection of center, some of whom have materials covering both won awards at both national historical and current and international events. information about Euskal Our most immediate plans Herria. for the future revolve around For the past ten years, National Basque Week 2008, our members have kept up the biggest event in on the various club Argentina for the Basque activities through community. With "Hargatik," our club's free participation from young newsletter. Additional people from Basque clubs sources include AM Radio country-wide, Argentine Universidad, which authorities and broadcasts a one-hour The Basque-Argentinean Aitor Aramaio dancing an Aurresku in La representatives from the radio program called Plata. Basque Government, Euskaldunon Hitza, and National Basque Week is our website, which has been serving next generation. We are proud to the most important single event in the Internet community for over ten say that our organization provides Basque culture. years. the greatest number of players to Our Euskal Etxea has drawn up a Our club houses one of the Argentine team in competitions Strategic Plan for 2008-2011 which Argentina's three trinquet courts, sponsored by the International describes the various projects we painted green for better television Federation of Basque Pelota. After will focus on in the upcoming years. viewing. Every day the court is used signing an agreement in 2006 with The most ambitious plan involves to play different varieties of Basque the Government of Buenos Aires developing a 63-hectare sports area pelota: bare-handed, leather ball & Province, we now have a 36-meter on property located near the city bat, Xare and "Argentine Paleta," fronton, which allows us to play all center, providing a sport and played by both men and women varieties of this emblematic sport. recreation area for members of all with a shorter bat. Each variety is In addition to traditional Basque ages. supported by a school dedicated to sports, we also sponsor a women's All of this information and a lot training youngsters, thereby making hockey team with 120 players aged more about our club is available on sure the games are passed on to the 12 to 17 who take part in local and our website: www.centrovasco.com
22 euskal etxeak euskal etxeak 23 /////////////////////////////// Traditional Basque musical instruments (Photos: M.ARRAZOLA)
Alboka Txilibrin Alboka Bilbao Alboka Gorrotxategi
Txistu-silbote Xirulak Zengotitaren akordeoia
String instruments Panderoak Danborrak G U RE o hit u ra k
Ttunttuna Tronpa Txalaparta zaharra /////////////////////////////// Traditional Basque musical instruments (Photos: M.ARRAZOLA)
Sunpriñua Txanbela Dultzaina-gaitak
Akordeoiak Lautea
Danbolina-txistua Atabalak Atabala
Adarra Toberak Txalaparta berria 26 euskal etxeak euskal etxeak 27 COLLECTIBLE 17 N e w Ba s q u e Cuisine
Burzako Restoran
Mexico 345 - San Telmo - Buenos Aires, Argentina
Specializing in traditional Basque food, Burzako was founded in 1998 by Leandro “Koko” Egozcue and Daniel Rincón. Both co-owners are highly experienced chefs trained in Spain, France and Argentina. The restaurant is located in the San Telmo neighborhood of Buenos Aires, in a house with the original 1895 structure still intact. The food served is traditional home-style cooking incorporating new techniques and carefully selected ingredients. Some of the favorites served at Burzako are based on fish, seafood and season fresh vegetables. Below, you'll find a recipe for one of their top classic dishes – oxtail braised in red wine.
Ox t a i l b r a i s e d in r e d w i n e
I N G R E D I E N T S
(serves 6)
-4 kg oxtails -2 cups olive oil - 1 head of garlic - 1 carrot - 1 sprig parsley - 1 bay leaf P R E P A R A T I O N: -1 liter good red wine
Cut oxtails into even sized pieces. Sprinkle Remove the oxtails and allow them to cool. -1 liter beef stock with salt and pepper. Strain the liquid mixture and reduce it to Brown the oxtails on both sides in olive oil half its volume. and set aside. An hour before serving, place the oxtails on Chop the vegetables in large pieces. Place in an oven tray, add the sauce, and bake until a pot and braise. Add the oxtails and pour in oxtails are well braised (about 40 minutes). the red wine and beef stock. Bring to a boil and lower to minimum heat. Add the head of Serve on a bed of potato purée and sprinkle garlic, parsley and bay leaf. Cook slowly over with finely chopped parsley. Enjoy your a low heat for five hours. meal!
26 euskal etxeak euskal etxeak 27 Photo album
This is my father, Señor Don Fernando Tena Vildarraz. He was born in Donostia, Gipuzkoa, on February 15th, 1935. Rumor has it that when he was an amateur boxer he fought with Luis Folledo and won (when they were both amateurs).
Elizabeth Tena
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