Basques around the world

Arratsalde on!

Wherever you are, I hope the weather is to your liking.  Over here, August has so far been typically Basque, by which I mean varied, sometimes wet but never lacking in beauty. You only have to take a look at our Eguraldiblog users to see that!

Once again Zorionak, Enhorabuena, Félicitations and Congratulations to Javi Aitor Zubizarreta, a Basques Around the World group member and one that’s frequently been making our headlines recently. The latest is that Javi received an important Award following on from his work on Artzainak: Shepherds and Sheep.

Igor caught up with him in Boise and got a taster of what’s to come in his next movie. It’s a fiction movie – though still no sign of Super-Basko!

Once again the Basque Country has hit the headlines in New York for its gastronomy – what else? Yesterday the focus was a wine, little known internationally but increasingly popular here and in the US. You guessed it – Txakoli.. Enter here to find out what they said – you may be surprised.

You may remember last month we published a report ‘on the ground’ from San Fermines in Lesaka, where we got a firsthand insight into the Discover the Basque Country tour?

Paddy Woodworth, Irish journalist and author of two books about the Basque Country, is one of the co-creators of that tour and has been telling Olwen what it’s like to share a passion.

That’s all for now.

Laister arte!

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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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Arratsalde on!

José Antonio Alcayaga III has written to remind us about Ipuina Kontatu, the feature-length documentary about the Basque Country made by Emily Lobsenz.

There are just 11 days left to pledge a donation towards the 12,000 dollars they need to get it released. So far they’ve raised nearly $2000 but there’s still a long way to go.

Find out how you can donate and even win yourself a copy of the film and more.

As Jaialdi draws ever closer – just two weeks to go now until kick-off – organizers have been telling eitb.com about the last-minute preparations for the last week of July.

Another festival, meanwhile, will shortly draw to a close: Today was the penultimate bull-run of San Fermines – and the quickest. Read about how it went and see the video.

Gero arte!

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Hey Basques,

There are only minimum services today due to industrial action, though the sun certainly isn’t on strike.

Remember we told you a few weeks ago that Bilbao had been awarded a ‘Nobel’ prize thanks to its ‘liveability’ and post-industrial rejuvenation? Well the City Mayor is currently in Singapore to pick up that award.

Mugalari has written about another good reason to visit the city. You may or may not know about the hanging bridge, actually classed as a World Heritage Monument by UNESCO. A fantastic piece of machinery, it’s been running since 1893.

Don’t forget of course that AC/DC played in the Basque capital last night. By all accounts the whole of the San Mames stadium rocked to the Australian band’s gig, possibly their last ever – and they played it in Bilbao! Why would that be, we wonder..?

Don’t forget the next big musical event is BBK Live, starting on July 8th. If you don’t know already, here’s a sneak peak at some of the acts playing on the first night.

That’s all for now!

Gero arte.

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Hi Basques,

I’m delighted that group member “Barka tu” chose our group to tell everyone about the Annual Basque Picnic coming up on July 4^th organized by the Southern Californian Basque Club – thanks for that Barka!

And in case you didn’t catch it, group member Ronald Borunda wrote to say that he and his wife will be visiting Navarre this summer and wonders if anyone can give him any travel tips for where to go and what to visit.

This side of the Atlantic, the annual Azkena Rock Festival kicks off today. Eitb English will be bringing you news and videos of the event, but don’t forget you can also watch it live on the special eitb.com Azkena Rock website.

Elsewhere in the Basque Country, anyone interested in jazz music should read our item about the Getxo International Jazz Festival kicking off next Thursday. If you can’t make this one, there are three other such festivals going on around here throughout July.

The sun continues to shine here in Euskadi. Of course, Wednesday June 23^rd were the Saint John (San Juan) celebrations where many towns and villages all over the Basque Country lit fires to welcome in the summer, which certainly wasn’t absent this year. Enjoy some wonderful images of last night’s revelry.

By the way, if you’re hoping for a decent summer holiday but don’t want to spend too much, check out this really interesting report by eitb.com.  You may end up in a New York penthouse for next to nothing!

That’s all for today.

Agur!

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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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Good morning/afternoon!

We have a couple of great blog posts today Basques.

Firstly, a new post on our Basque Country Live blog. This time a one-to-one with Jon Warren, the man behind San Sebastian Food and co-creator of the Discover the Basque Country Tour, both of which we wrote about last week.

It’s all go since we started our Kepa Junkera blog – Kepa played the Chino Basque club in Chino California on Saturday, a visit which was to coincide with a recording session.

Talking of music: We told you that legendary blues musician John Mayall would be playing Bilbao. Well check out the video of his performance.

Eitb.com also managed a scoop with famous US creative writer Robert McKee, who’ll be dropping into our headquarters on Friday. He gave us an exclusive interview in the lead up to his visit, which you can see here.

That’s all for now.

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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,

As we explained when the group was formed, we endeavour to keep you abreast of all the most interesting goings on in the Basque Country.

The rain persists, so just as well our news can offer a ray of sunshine!

The best news today is that Bilbao has become the first city to win a Nobel prize! The Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize was launched last year by the city of Singapore in conjunction with the Swedish Nobel academy. By all accounts, the jury was impressed by the Biscay capital’s post-industrial regeneration.

Mugalari, of our Basque Tourism Blogue, has sent us his latest post. This one is entitled Some Places I Like in Bilbao You May Also Like, and suggests nine spots a bit out of the ordinary that could appeal to the more curious visitor.

Also for Pelota fans – don’t forget to check out the latest post on our Dos Paredes, English pelota blog. Tiffany’s latest post has some interesting news about the Final Four of the Manomanista.

That’s all for now.

Gero arte.

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