Euskal Herriko Aurpegiak Navigating the Basque Country - 1 - Introduction to the DVD Clearly the best way to know the Basque Country or any other place is being there but, in order to do that, we have to have the time and the wherewithal to get there. When this is not feasible, we have no choice but to refer to books which, at times, may not be easy – unless there is an alternative. In today’s world an alternative is the use of new technologies. Interactive systems are attractive and spark curiosity in us all. Moreover, the possibilities offered by multimedia resources signify an unparalleled means of acquiring information in a pleasant, rapid and suitable way. This is what we have aimed to do with this DVD: we have gathered and prepared information, accompanied with a number of images, all of which offer a rapid but complete perspective of the Basque Country for anyone sitting in front of a PC screen. Our aim has been to produce a DVD for use both at home and in educational situations. Also, given that it is aimed at both Basque citizens and at persons from other places, the DVD offers all the information in four languages: Basque, Spanish, French and English. As we have already said, the aim is not to undertake a thorough analysis nor offer exhaustive data on the Basque Country, but to get to know the main characteristics of its political, historical, cultural and geographical evolution. This is why, and following a written and spoken script, we have introduced audio, video images, photographs, and animations. We have trawled the relevant information in libraries and photo archives and the graphical aspect of the publication has taken on significant proportions, with some 85% of the DVD given over to the visual aspect. Here are some details: 1- text: 16,000 characters 2- photographs: about 300 3- video-clips: about 50 4- music: 20 pieces 5- duration: about 60 minutes - 2 - Overall aims • To provide opportunities to get to know and to contribute in valuing the diversity of the social community to which the DVD users belong, getting to know and to value the elements dealt with therein. • To present historical and social events that help to better understand current society, encouraging critical and reasoned opinions. • To get to know and to respect linguistic and cultural variety, without renouncing the spirit of criticism. • To get to know the relationships established by society with its surroundings as regards the use of space and natural resources, and to asses the economic, social, political and ecological consequences of such relations. • To value and respect the natural, cultural, linguistic, artistic, historical and social heritage, being conscious of the need to protect and enhance all therein and accepting such heritage as a source of enjoyment and using it as a resource for individual and collective development. Contents We have attempted to offer the widest possible perspective of the Basque Country and, in this regard, we have analysed the following aspects: - history - geography and economy - Basque language (Euskara) history o current situation o structure - culture o plastic arts o literature o bertsolaritza (extemporary verse singing) o cinema o music and songs o dance o theatre - 3 - - Customs o sports o fiestas o cuisine We have not attempted to analyse in an exhaustive manner each one of these aspects, but to offer an overall, though complete, vision of the Basque Country. In undertaking this project we have used 400 images, 10 minutes of video recordings and 15 musical fragments, as well as a number of audiovisual presentations. History A short presentation of the history of the Basque Country: the origin of the Basques, important aspects of the history of their country (the kingdom of Navarre, parliamentary foral rights, the Carlist wars, and so on), political-administrative divisions, the singular relations and characteristics of the Basque Country on either side of the Pyrenees (Iparralde and Hegoalde), the current political-administrative divisions, etc. Together with the most emblematic events throughout the history of the Basque Country, we also present archaeological and other sites with some of their artefacts, all legacies from our ancestors. Economy and geography A short description of the physical geography of the Basque Country (mountains, rivers, climate, valleys, natural spaces) and its administrative divisions (capitals, provinces, regions). Moreover, there is a brief presentation on the economy that is closely linked to the geographical area, as well as its evolution throughout history and on the most significant aspects of the current situation. - 4 - Culture We have attempted to highlight elements of Basque culture: music, literature, the extempore verse-singing in Basque, called bertsolaritza, etc. The evolution of each of these over the years is presented, as well as their best-known authors and key works and moments, etc. This DVD user will be able to view photographs of works of art and will have the opportunity of listening to music and verses that complete the narrator’s text. As we explained above, this section is divided into seven parts: plastic arts, dance, music and song, written literature, bertsolaritza, theatre and the cinema. Lifestyles Analysis of people’s customs provides considerable information about a particular place: where people live, how they live, the characteristics of the typical buildings of the place, the customs of daily life, etc. Evidently, the customs of those Basques who lived 200 years ago are quite different from those of today, but the connection between both exists and this is what we try to illustrate here. We have highlighted the connections between architecture, fiestas, sport, leisure and gastronomy with customs of Basques. Language The most characteristic and differentiating aspect of the Basques is the language – Euskara or the Basque language. Of uncertain origin it is the oldest in Europe. On this DVD we analyse the possible origins of this tongue, the geographical area in which it has been spoken over the millennia, the distribution of its dialects and the current situation of the language. - 5 - In order that users might understand the language, there are numerous examples: for example, the user is offered the possibility of hearing the different dialects of the Basque language, together with their meanings. The material can be used in many different ways; for example, as an educational aid prior or subsequent to dealing with history, literature, geography and the economy of the Basque Country, amongst other topics. As regards the technical side of things, it is user-friendly. Just follow these simple steps: 1. Insert the DVD into the reader. It will be activated instantly. 2. After the credits and initial visuals, the language selection menu will appear. You only have to click on one of the four languages to select: Basque, Spanish, French or English. 3. Once the language is selected, select a theme: history, culture, language, economy, geography and lifestyles. 4. If we select culture, language or lifestyles, we enter the sub-options of the other menu, where we can click on the option we wish to select. Once we have selected what we want, the DVD programme will be initiated and we will be able to watch it and listen to it. 5. If, apart from watching and listening to the disc contents, we wish to read the text, we have two options: a. Press the corresponding button on the remote control handset, if we are using the television set. b. If we are using the PC, click with the mouse. So, we use the remote control handset (television set) or click with the mouse (PC) to go forwards or go back or to select themes. If any technical problem should arise, do not hesitate to contact us through our webpage or e-mail us at: [email protected] - 6 - HISTORY The personality of the Basque Country today is the consequence of its past history down the centuries. The first known inhabitants of the Basque Country date from the Lower Palaeolithic, approximately 200,000 years ago. Some Palaeolithic sites in the Basque Country: The cave at Ekain The cave at Amalda (Zestoa) The grotto of Benta Laperra (Karrantza) The grottoes of Isturitze The caves at Santimamiñe As well as: Axlor in Bizkaia Lezetxiki in Gipuzkoa Aitzabal in Araba The Urbasa sites in Navarre Olha in Lapurdi Gatzarria in Zuberoa And a few more ............. Which correspond to the Neolithic era and to the Iron or Bronze Ages Dolmens Cromlechs - 7 - and the cemeteries and prehistoric settlements of the Basque Country When Romans came to the Basque Country, about 200 years before the birth of Christ, Basques were divided into tribes: the Autrigoni, the Caristi, the Varduli and the Vascons. Romans stayed in the Basque Country for three or four centuries, but without ever dominating it wholly. Their influence and rule undoubtedly left its mark on the plains (‘Ager’), but was weak in the mountain areas (‘Saltus’). Romans stayed in the Basque Country until the fall of their Empire, although their presence was never massive. On the disappearance of the Romans, the Vascons dominated the territory, although in permanent struggle with peoples from Europe. The Vascons had to confront, successively, The Suevians, the Vandals and the Alans And the Franks and the Visigoths. Likewise, Muslims arrived from North Africa and reached as far as the south of Navarre. The territory inhabited by the Vascons underwent the following evolution from the IX century on: 1.- The Duchy of Vasconia, created by the Visigoths between the Pyrenees and the area currently occupied by the North Basque Country. 2.- The Kingdom of Navarre, created to stop the expansion by the Franks and the Muslims. This kingdom extended from the Pyrenees to the south of the Basque Country and included the current continental Navarre (Nafarroa Beherea or Lower Navarre).