Basques around the world

Good afternoon Basques –

Those of you who were lucky enough to attend the Jaialdi celebrations in Boise this year, how are you feeling now it’s all over?

It might be over, but it’s still not been forgotten by Basque People All Around the World…

Were you one of those following the events on Twitter? This year’s Jaialdi became a hot topic among the Boise Twitter community these last few weeks and an invaluable source of information, photos, news, schedules and funny stories.

The Basque sport of pelota played an important part at this year’s Jaialdi, though the US is usually more famed for its liking for cesta punta, or Jai Alai.

Yesterday was the 31^st anniversary of Biscay-born Ramon Areitio’s record breaking 187-mile ball at the Newport Jai Alai of Rhode Island, a record which you may remember was broken by US golfer Jack Zuback just three years ago.

Basque golfer Txema Olazábal renewed the golf-Jai Alai speed challenge and went head-to-head with ‘cesta puntista’ Imanol López to prove once and for which one was the world’s fastest ball sport… and to raise money for a good cause!

Mugalari is back on our Basque Tourism blog with a new tip for travellers to the Basque Country. This time he’s here to praise the virtues of rural lodgings and tell us where to make reservations.

Agur!

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Hi Basques,

Day three of Jaialdi promises Basque sports galore including some of the biggest names in the world of Herri Kirolak and the NABO Pelota tournament.

Wednesday night, meanwhile, traditionally a big night, was apparently rocked harder than ever thanks to the likes of Amuma Says No and the Oinkaris. Basques All Around the World group members Katie D’Angelo (remember her?) and Jose Antonio Alcayaga III were there to soak up the atmosphere and give their take on the  events of the evening.

Meanwhile Kepa Junkera, who was in Boise earlier this year and went down a storm, has been busy playing gigs in Catalonia, Caceres… you name it. He’s also been busy on his blog, with two new posts: One is an interview he gave to Biscay newspaper Deia on July 8^th. Another one is further news about his and Xabier Amuriza’s latest combined work BETI BIZI.

More news soon.

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Hi Basques,

Sadly, our main news today is about Basque poet Sergio Oiarzabal, who died suddenly on June 12th at the age of 36. Award-winning Sergio’s family asked us to spread the sad news about their son and brother. Those who knew Sergio and want to leave a tribute will find a blogsite address contained in the obituary.

Big sports news is that Pelota start Martinez de Irujo won his fourth ‘txapela’ on Sunday in the final of the Manomanista. He beat Yves Xalaberri (better known at Xala). As always, Tiffany gives a full rundown of the match in her blog post, and there are also videos and photos to enjoy.

Lastly, Basques All Around the World member Mary Culley wrote on our Facebook Wall to inform us of the 4^th July Basque Festival in Elko Nevada. Check out Mary’s post or visit the website www.elkobasque.com.

Gero arte.

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Good afternoon Basques from a very – very – rainy Basque Country.

We’re almost drowning here from all the rain, and some parts of Biscay are even experience floods. Let’s hope it doesn’t get any worse.

Despite the miserable weather, we’re still celebrating… following Real Sociedad’s promotion to the first division, the latest fabulous sporting news is that Vitoria’s basketball team, Caja Laboral Baskonia, are now ACB Champions following a nail-biting match against rivals Regal Barcelona.

For those of you who haven’t heard of Ipuina Kontatu, today there’s a special item about the documentary which was filmed by American Emily Lobsenz. Emily discovered the Basque Country by chance, fell in love with the place and has now made a documentary. The title – Ipuina Kontatu – means ‘telling stories’, which is a clue to the format of the film, entirely based on first hand accounts from Basque shepherds, fishermen and many more typical figures.

For those of you struggling to learn Euskera – and even those who aren’t it’s really worth your while to check out the posts written by Cody Beaudreau and Megan Otteman, two Americans from Boise currently at the Barnetegi in Lazkao… real eye-openers.

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Arratsalde on!

A few items today to bring you up to date with goings-on around the Basque Country this week.

Today you can read about Cody Beaudreau, an American learning Basque in the Basque town of Lazkao. He tells us of his first impressions of the Barnategi where he’s studying.

Lots of sports news, the most recent being the result of Caja Laboral Baskonia’s match against Real Madrid. Read about the nail-bitingly close match which led to a fourth play-off this Friday.

STOP THE PRESS: the North Korean World Cup squad are wearing shirts manufactured in none other than Basque town Mondragon. Find out how home-grown brand Astore made it onto the mysterious Far Eastern side’s kit.

The third sports news today, well… it’s not often we bring you news about Donostia-San Sebastian side Real Sociedad, especially since their demotion to the 2nd division. Well, they may just be promoted this weekend so watch this space…

By the way, if you’re going to be spending time in the Basque Country this summer, you’ll want to know which of our beaches have received blue flags for cleanliness. You have 3 to choose from…

That’s all for now.

Gero arte!

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Hello-

Well I don’t know what the weather’s like where you are, but it’s typical Basque weather here today. However, it would seem we’re promised good, stable weather for the weekend, so here’s hoping.

The big news on this side of the Atlantic is that ex-Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman is playing a gig in the Basque capital Vitoria on Friday night. He’ll be heading up his new band, ‘The Rhythm Kings’.

We have three exciting new blog entries, firstly on our Tourist ‘Off the Beaten Track’ blog; Kepa Junkera has left his latest post about this year’s Jaialdi; and catch the latest from Tiffany about the Pelota.

And for Athletic fans, a new signing. Alaves player Igor Martinez will play for the team next season.

Ondo pasa!

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Hi Basques,

An historic day today for Bilbao, the Basque Country – perhaps, indeed, the world! As momentous achievements, big and small, are being achieved in all corners:

First and foremost, the laying of the first stone of Athletic Bilbao’s new stadium, San Mames Barria.

Enjoy the taster video we’ve included for you here, and read about the “emotional” occasion which included a giant human chain (also with video).

Another significant Basque sporting event was also happening some miles away: Home-grown mountaineer Edurne Pasaban landed at Madrid airport after completing her challenge to climb the 14 8000ers – read what she had to say about her feelings, the future and what it is like to be the second woman to manage the feat.

And, as if you needed more reasons to come to Biscay: The province’s Txakoli wine was recently highly-rated by esteemed US wine-taster Robert Parker.

Lastly, if you’re in or around the Basque Country this autumn, you might like to know that legendary group Supertramp will be playing at the BEC! in Barakaldo on September 17^th.

That’s all for now!

Agur.

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Good afternoon to our 2,245 members-

The sun continues to shine here and we’re promised a fabulous weekend of beach weather and small waves for those budding surfers!

Because of a few technical hiccups yesterday we couldn’t tell you that the video of the Athletic Bilbao squad playing against 200 school children ended up receiving 30,000 hits on the net and was voted by digg users to go on its homepage. It was also posted by an Aussie Man Utd fan onto the UK team’s official forum.

Well, there’s more… because the 20,000 spectators, raised enough money to build a football school for children in the Congo. It was Etxebe’s decision to donate the money to the children, who have been in the hearts of all Athletic players and fans since a video was made of them singing the team anthem.

Anyway, read that story and see the video here.

Remember we told you about a new tour entitled Discover the Basque Country, created by historian Paddy Woodworth and gastronomy guru Jon Warren. Well there’s another great article, this time about Jon and his company San Sebastian Food, which provides a more original experience for tourists all centred around the Community’s great food.

And we have a brand new blog! Basque internationally-acclaimed musician and trikitixa maestro Kepa Junkera is currently on a tour of the States. From time to time he’ll be writing to us about his experiences and the people he meets on his travels. His first article is about Ramon Echeveste, born in Doneztebe, Navarre. He left the Basque Country at the age of 20 with nothing but the clothes on his back.  He is now the successful self-made owner of a sheep company.

Ondo ibili!

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Hello Basques,

Finally the sun is shining and it looks like spring is on its way.

If you live outside the Basque Country and are thinking of visiting soon, you might be interested to read about a new tour of cultural and culinary discovery. Set up by two non-natives, but confessed lovers of the Basque Country, the Discover the Basque Country tour promises a no-holds-barred insight into the more authentic side of Euskadi; this time, the lesser known San Fermines fiesta of the village of Lesaka.

Remember the news from a couple weeks back that Bilbao was to become the first ever Nobel prize-winning city? Today we can officially confirm that Bilbao City Council will receive the Lee Kuan Yew city prize for all its hard and conscientious work during the city’s post-industrial regeneration.

If you’re following the Manomanista, check out the latest post on our Dos Paredes, Basque Pelota Blog. Some interesting news about two of its main stars Barriola and Olaizola.

That’s all from us today.

Laister arte!

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Hi Basques,

We have a cracking item for you today Basques.  You might remember our previous articles about Ahizpak, two American-born Basque sisters from Nevada who moved to Boise eight years ago and started their own design company based on Basque symbolism.

Our latest article about them includes a video about one of the sisters – Maite – who came to EITB in Bilbao to pay us a visit and tell us first-hand about Ahizpak and what they’ve got planned for the upcoming Jaialdi festival.  Check out the article and video.

Meanwhile,  stay up to date with the latest news from the Manomanista with the latest entry on our Dos Paredes – English Pelota blog.

And lastly, much rain with a few sunny patches here and there have their (colourful) advantage, depending on where you’re standing of course! Enjoy these weather photos.

Laister arte.

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