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.
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"
|
Saturday,
April 21, 2007 |
|
Rev. Alec Reid |
> 9:00 Conference Paper Panel I: Forum room at the Student
Union
Building at Boise State University
> 1:00 Conference Paper Panel II: Forum room once again
> 3:30 Boise State Special Events Ctr, 1800 University
Drive
Keynote Speaker: The Rev. Alec Reid
Director of the Redemptorist Peace Ministry and
Facilitator in
peace talks in Northern Ireland and the Basque
Country
speaking on “Peacemaking in the Basque Country” Q&A
Wikipedia article on Alec Reid
> 8:00 Basque Tribute & Public Dance, Basque Center;
601 W.
Grove St. (Only this requires a $5 entry fee)
|
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,
April 22, 2007 |
|
Jimmy Jausoro |
Basque Community Memorial Tribute to Jimmy Jausoro:
Extraordinary contributor to Basque culture in Idaho.
> 1:00 Memorial Basque Mass: St. Paul's Catholic Center
1915
University Dr.
> 3:00 Tribute Performance at the Boise State Special Events Ctr;
1800 University Dr.
> 5:00 Reception at the Basque Center; 601 W. Grove St.
Interview
transcripts, photos & audio |
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
