Dr. Gloria Totoricaguena's choice for her recent book's subtitle about the Boise Basque community was "Dreamers and Doers" because of what has been accomplished over the years.  Now a new chapter is being written in this saga as the dreamers and doers continue.

Click on Basque Studies Conference pdf for a 8.5 x 11 inch color poster

The dream of creating a Basque Studies program at the University level in Idaho began back in the 1970s.  Now over the last two years, Boise State University and the Idaho Basque community have been at work making this dream a reality.  Following an inaugural event in conjunction with Jaialdi 2005, Boise State now offers a minor in Basque Studies as well as a certificate program.  Courses offered include Euskara (the Basque language) as well as numerous regular courses and weekend workshops in Basque culture (click on  Offerings in Basque Studies).  Now the program is further developing as marked by the upcoming events of the weekend in April.  Boise State University and the Idaho Basque community have joined to provide educational, festive and commemorative events that are free and open to all.

Dr. Gloria Totoricaguena's choice for her book title about the Boise Basque community was "Dreamers and Doers" because of what has been accomplished over the years.  Now a new chapter is being written in this saga. Back in the 1970s there was an initial attempt to create a Basque Studies program in Idaho (the state with the second largest number of Basques; California has the most and Nevada is the third).  Now decades later it seems that this dream of having a Basque Studies program at the University level is coming to fruition.

The events stretch across three days April 20-22 as slated below, and they bring together various endeavors that begin with a meeting that includes representatives from ten universities that are interested in creating a Basque Studies Consortium that will be similar to a "NABO" or federation of schools and individuals engaged in Basque Studies to benefit from shared resources.  As the image below of the Basque estropadak or row boat illustrates, a potential Basque Studies Consortium aims to get institutions and people working together for some common objectives.  NABO will participate in this initial meeting to see what can be given and gained in relation to our motto of Recreate + Educate = Perpetuate.

For more information about the creation of a Basque Studies Consortium go to: Basque Studies Consortium

Then that evening the first keynote address is given by Ibon Mendibelzua Madariaga who is the Delegate of the Basque Government in Brussels.  He will be speaking on “The Basque Country within the European Union Today” that provides an insider's view of the relationship between the Autonomous Basque Government of Euskadi (provinces of Araba, Bizkaia & Gipuzkoa) that will be followed by a questions & answers session.

Friday, April 20, 2007
Ibon Mendibelzua Madariaga	> 1:00 Basque Studies Consortium formation meeting > 6:00 Boise State Special Events Ctr, 1800 Univeristy Dr. Keynote Speaker: Ibon Mendibelzua Madariaga Delegate of the Basque Government in Brussels speaking on “The Basque Country within the European Union Today” Q & A follows Basque Government website for the Delegation in Brussels

The next morning begins with the first of two paper presentation panels.  Each presenter will speak twenty minutes to summarize their current research, followed by a period for questions. The list of presenters includes:

_Dr. Xabier Irujo: "Ibarretxe Plan"
_Dr. Sandra Ott: "Basques in the First World War"
_Dr. Pedro Oiarzabal: "Basque Diaspora Digital Nationalism"
_Dr. Lisa Corcostegui: "Courting the Diaspora in Dance"
_Dr. Colleen Filmore: "Adult Dietary Culture & Tradition"
_Dr. Joxe Mallea: "Basque Arborglyphs"
_Dr. Viola G. Miglia: "The Basque-Icelandic Glossaries Revisited"
 

Then in the afternoon the second keynote address will be given by The Rev. Alec Reid, the Director of the Redemptorist Peace Ministry and Facilitator in peace talks in Northern Ireland and the Basque Country.  He will be speaking on “Peacemaking in the Basque Country” providing an insider/outsider perspective.  Then the evening's action shifts to the Basque Block in Boise, for a public Basque dance for everyone.
 

Sunday is the tribute to the late Jimmy Jausoro who made an extraordinary contribution to Basque culture across five decades as a tireless and dedicated musician. It begins with a Basque Memorial Mass at St. Paul's Catholic Center followed by a tribute program at the Boise State Special Events Center.  To bring the weekend to a close there's a reception at the Boise Basque Center.

There's something for everyone be it educational or recreational.  Make plans to attend!

Click on Basque Studies Conference pdf for a 8.5 x 11 inch color poster
 

	< Laguntzaileak > Event Sponsors