The North American
Basque Organizations is the proud recipient of the annual
Euskara promotion prize awarded by one the Basque Country's
pre-imminent cultural institutions, Eusko Ikaskuntza which
promoted the first celebration of Euskararen Eguna fifty years
ago in 1949.
Related link:
Euskararen
Eguna &
Basque class offerings
The first
celebration of Euskararen Eguna was in 1949, and it was
sponsored by Eusko Ikaskuntza, one of the Basque country's
pre-imminent cultural and educational institutions. This
same organization recently initiated an annual prize awarded to
the entity outside the Basque Country that has distinguished
itself in its work to promote the Basque language. The
2009 winner was N.A.B.O.! Here's the proxy (keep it
brief!) acceptance speech:
"Speaking on behalf
or our federation, the North American Basque Organizations, (N.A.B.O.)
we want to express our gratitude.
We are grateful to
Eusko Ikaskuntza for the honor of this award. Coming from
an organization of its stature, that for over a century has
worked to promote an awareness of Basque culture at the highest
levels, makes this a prestigious award. We are pleased to
join the earlier recipients from Basque entities in France,
Spain and Argentina that have labored to promote our shared
language of Euskara.
|
EUSKO
IKASKUNTZA is a cultural - scientific entity and
meeting-point for studies, research, and the
dissemination of knowledge of and/or from Vasconia--the
Basques. Its objectives are the reinforcement of
the traditional values of Basque culture, cultural
elevation and dissemination, and the creation of new
values that benefit people who live in culturally Basque
areas. It has various activities, including the
Euskararen Nazioarteko Eguna (ENE) prize which is
awarded annually to an institution outside the Basque
Country that has distinguished itself in its support for
the Basque language. |
www.eusko-ikaskuntza.org |
Euskara is one of
the world's rarest of languages. It's rare because of its
limited numbers of speakers; it's rare because it has no other
related links with existing languages; it's rare because it was
a dying language that is now resurrecting and we are proud to be
a part of that process. For a people who defined
themselves by their language--Euskaldunak: those who speak
Basque--this is a crucial part of who we are as people. We
appreciate the efforts being made to keep our language alive,
and we count ourselves as part of this effort alongside Eusko
Ikaskuntza.
|
File photo of instructors from 2007 |
There
are ongoing efforts on many local levels to offer Basque
lessons, and there is also a distance (online) learning
option.
To find out more click on
Basque class offerings |
We are also grateful
to our N.A.B.O. leaders in this effort to promote the learning
and use of Euskara in North America. They are Martin
Goicoechea, our Euskara chairperson, and Izaskun Kortazar, our
Euskara coordinator. They have been instrumental in
keeping the fire burning. We are also grateful to H.A.B.E.,
a department of the Basque Government, that has assisted our
efforts.
But the greatest
thanks must go to the people who make this happen--and they are
the teachers and students at the local Basque clubs. They
are the ones who give hours each week to get together and learn
our language. They are the ones who have committed to keep
our language alive.
This award is for them. Eutsi--keep it going!"
