Basques around the world

Kaixo Basques!

The 22nd edition of Getxo International Blues Festival kicks off on Friday, June 18th with the performance of the American blues-rock guitarist Eric Sardinas who will present his last work recorded together with his band Eric Sardinas & Big Motor. He will be accompanied by world famous Flamenco guitarist Raimundo Amador.

The 15/15 Film Festival provides an excellent creative opportunity for filmmakers to make a short film that is up to 15 minutes in length in 15 hours.

On Wednesday June 30th, the men and women of Bilbao will be canvassed to give their signatures to promote the city’s design sector. In line with the concept of Design, however, all signatures collected during the day will go towards a unique and innovative purpose.

New posts:

Dos paredes Basque Pelota blog: ‘Pelota on the Web, 19th-20th June: Manomanista Final’

Kepa Junkera’s blog In & Out: ‘Berriaren bizia’

Off the beaten track in the Basque Country: ‘Basque is sexy’

Learning Basque: ‘Ulertzen dut’

And please, don’t forget you can send us your photos of landscapes, skies and other images of nature that depict the state of the weather, and get to see them published on-line in Eguraldiblog.

Agur!

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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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Kaixo Basques all around the world!

How are you? How is the weekend going on?

When fire swept through the kitchen of Basque restaurant Mugaritz during the early hours of February 15th, causing devastating damage to the interior, the subsequent closure of Andoni Aduriz’s two Michelin starred eatery was a reason to be down. After four months of initial grief, Basque restaurant Mugaritz will open its doors on Tuesday, June 15th.

Manhattan Island Marathon Swim is a current-assisted 28.5-mile race around the island in New York that took place on June 12, 2010. The swimmer from the Basque town of Donostia-San Sebastian Jaime Caballero also took part in the event.

To finish with, check out  the latest posts left during the weekend on our blogs:

Discover the Basque Country blog: All set for the summer!

Off the beaten track in the Basque Country blog: Araba, the ignored province, for no reason at all…

Inside & Out: Kepa Junkera will be in charge of closing the Art Festival of Miajadas

Learning Basque: Bigarren astean

That’s all for today, see you tomorrow!

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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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 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!

It’s really warm and sunny here in the Basque Country today, a really nice day to visit ‘Arrain Azoka’ (Fish Fair) in the Basque town of Bermeo as it is celebrating its 16^th edition. Over thirty stalls are installed in Parque La Lamera Park with the aim to display their produce, of which many are very difficult to find on the market nowadays.

Blues musician John Mayall will be in Bilbao, San Sebastian and Vitoria on May 23rd, 26 and 29th, respectively.

According to Eustat data, the number of visitors to the Basque Country increased by 10% in April 2010.

To finish for today, check a new post on Kepa Junkera’s Inside & Out blog: In Boise, Kepa Junkera is recording with pianist Paul Tillotson, and singer Curtis Stigers, as well as bass player Rod Wray and drummer Spencer Martin from the Basque band Amuma Says No.

Have a nice day and please, remember to have  a look at the best moments from Boise’s Jaialdi 2005. You will find new photos every day!

Agur!

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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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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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Dear Basques,

We are celebrating Mother’s Day in the Basque Country today, so happy mother’s day to all amas (Mother in Basque language)!

Let’s have a look at what we have for today on our Basque people all around the world wall in Facebook:

El Superbarbero de Sevilla, an adaptation of Rossini’s The Barber of Seville is at Arriaga Theatre in Bilbao from May 1st to 3rd and to celebrate its 10th Anniversary and with audiences of over 10 million so far, Stage Entertainment, brings Saturday Night Fever from May 6th to 16th.

You can also enjoy this video of Dantzari Eguna (Basque Dance Day) in Bayonne, northern Basque Country.

Remember Rufus Wainwright will visit the Basque town of Bilbao on May 9th. The Canadian musician will present his album All Days Are Nights: Songs for Lulu at the Euskalduna Conference Centre and Concert Hall at 20:30.

And lastly, as part of the ACB Basketball League, Caja Laboral defeated Real Madrid to nearly secure 2nd place.

That’s all for now.

Agur!

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