Basques around the world

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 day Basques,

We wish everyone a good day and hope that wherever you are the weather is better than here!

Firstly, just a quick note to let our members know that group member Alberto López Palacios has written an important message on our wall. Alberto and his wife have a son and daughter suffering from a rare illness and are hoping for our help and support. For more information, take a look at their facebook group: “Buscando una oportunidad para Arene”.

Elsewhere, and despite the wind and rain – and in some places snow – the news goes on:

Pelota fans will be interested to know that the latest Manomanista match saw two players from the same town go head to head. Leitza, a Navarran town with a strong history and even stronger following of Pelota was thoroughly divided on Sunday as Abel Barriola met Oinatz Bengoetxea. But what was the result?

If you’re learning Euskara, take a look at our Learning Basque Blog. Isabel Zialcita gives us her latest tip for learning and memorising vocabulary, and much more, with the Language Learning Toolkit.

Other sports new is that Bizkaia Bilbao Basket beat Gran Canaria, though unfortunately it wasn’t enough to make it to the playoffs.

Gero 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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Hi Basques –

Firstly, a correction: José Alcayaga (the US-Basque photographer) kindly wrote to inform us that his photo exhibition is on in Greenwich Connecticut and NOT New York! Thanks for that José.

Otherwise, if you’re curious about Basque history you should definitely read on:

This Thursday and Friday (April 15^th and 16^th) at the University of Nevada in Reno is the 9^th Annual International Conference. This year the title is “War, Exile, Justice and Everyday Life, 1936 -1946” and includes an interesting section on Basques caught up in the civil war and in exile.

Back in the 1960s, one such Basque exile – Gotzon Elortza, then residing in France – would sneak across the State border to film his land and people, knowing it would help keep the language alive. Three documentaries by Elortza – the first ever to be filmed in the Basque language – are now being re-mastered.

Fittingly enough, this Thursday also sees the start of the Zinebi International Short Films and Documentaries Festival, which offers two months of films in the categories of shorts and documentaries – check it out if you can.

Some great news if you’re looking for a cultural holiday to the Basque Country – author Paddy Woodworth and chef Jon Warren have teamed up to offer you a unique Basque adventure. The first one will be this July between 5^th and 8^th and includes a trip to San Fermines in Lesaka, Navarre.

Bihar arte!

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Hi everyone!

Here is your summary of goings on for today, April 13th:

Find out today about fellow-Basque José Antonio Alcayaga III. José is an American photographer of Basque heritage who has created a group on facebook – Alcayagas del Mundo / Alcayagas of the World – in an attempt to bring together all those who share his surname. So far the group has 915 members, all called Alcayaga!  José’s currently exhibiting 9 of his photos (all taken during a trip to the Basque Country, like this one here) at Talbot’s in Greenwich, Connecticut.

We’ve also got some more news about Egunkaria today: The court also ruled that its closure was unconstitutional, while the five men acquitted have called for a celebration to say thanks for all the support they received over the past seven years. It’s scheduled to take place on April 25th at 11am in Bilbao.

Lastly, Mugalari has posted a new item on our Basque tourism blog ‘Off the Beaten Track’. This time he explains the interesting – or strange – eating schedules of the Basques: you might want to read just to be prepared!

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Aupa Lagunak!

Casa Rural Lizartzanea has left us a post on the wall of our group in Facebook Basque people all around the world telling us about this country house which is 20 minutes far from Donostia-San Sebastian. Thanks to your contribution!

We have good news for Athletic Bilbao lovers since they climbed to sixth with 42 points, despite being held 2-2 by visiting Getafe in a stormy encounter at San Mames in Bilbao yesterday.

In addition, Bilbao Bizkaia Basket took the lead on the scoreboard with just one minute left to end the game to defeat Cajasol and extend their winning streak to 6 and Caja Laboral was unable to stop all-mighty Barcelona.

To finish with, the best eight bertsolaris from Navarre competed for the ‘txapela’ (winner’s beret) in the Basque Bertsolaritza championship celebrated in Lesaka, Navarre.

See you tomorrow and ondo izan!

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