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Heidi Ayarbe, a native of Carson City, Nevada, recently had published
Kaixo Amerika: Hello America.
Aimed at kids ages 8-13, it is the story of her grandfather Pierre who
came to America from his Basque homeland, which she hopes will inspire
young people to travel and see the world.
Heidi Ayarbe is a
Basque-American, born in Carson City (Nevada), whose just published book
Kaixo Amerika: Hello America narrates the story of her Basque
immigrant ancestors. The treatment focuses on her grandfather
Pierre, a Basque immigrant from the northern or French side of the
Basque country). The author explains that in Nevada you'll find
Basques everywhere, and she wants young people to learn how this one
culture went into the creation of the state. "There are Basque
restaurants, trees carved by Basque sheepherders, Basque boardinghouses;
there have been important Basque people in business and government and
award winning authors, like the Laxalt brothers Paul and Robert."
She was moved to
write the book for several reasons. First of all, the presence of
Basques is largely unknown to most students: "in schools there were not
books about this experience and that is what I wanted to change."
The objective of the book is that readers learn to embrace a set of
values like tolerance, especially in a society composed of immigrants.
"At this time 30% of Nevada children are the children of immigrants or
were born elsewhere." She hopes that some of these kids will
connect with the story of the book.
The book follows the
adventures of her grandfather Pierre who came from the village of Aldude
in the province of Nafarroa Beherea (Benafarroa). Her grandmother,
Graxiana, was also from the same region in the town of Ortzaize.
Heidi's father was born in the Nevada town of Ely, and while her mother
is Norwegian, the author states that the Basque world was a constant for
her has she grew up. (the photo here from the author is of her
grandfather Pierre with his two sons Dominique and Joe along with a
fellow sheepherder.)
"My sister and I always knew
we were Basque" the author states as the Ikurrina (Basque flag) was
present and we made chorizo or Basque sausage in the garage. About
the latter, "it wasn't my favorite past-time, but it was Basque."
Growing up we went to the Basque festivals and we learned Basque dances,
she continues, but in reality she confesses that we didn't really
understand what this Basque thing was. Writing this book was a
means by which the author came to a deeper appreciation of her Basque
heritage.
In search of her
Basque origins, Heidi spent six months in the Basque country of Europe.
"I spent every weekend surrounded by cousins, uncles and aunts, and I
could see the house where my grandfather was born." But this was
only the beginning of a larger trip that took Heidi to Asia, Europe,
Central and South America. She went with her husband of
Basque-Columbian descent, Cesar Aristizabal. (this photo is of
grandparents Graxiana & Pierre who became known as Grace & Pete, with
their three sons).
The author is a
strong proponent of travel which she considers to be under-emphasized in
our educational system. "Traveling is about taking risks,
confronting new ideas, meeting incredible people and coming to realize
that in the end, we are more or less all alike around the world."
She hopes that her writing might inspire kids to want to travel, learn a
new language, or to make a friend from a different culture. "We
have too many barriers and traveling is a way to break those down."
(this photo is of the author and her husband at the ancient ruins of the
Cambodian city of Angkor).
In Kaixo Amerika: Hello America,
meet Pierre, a young Basque immigrant, modeled after the author's own
father. Alternating chapters follow Pierre, through his diaries, as he
journeys from the Basque homeland to Nevada. The remaining chapters
detail the Basque experience in America, from the turn of the 20th
Century through today. You can order your copy by going to:
www.junipercreekpubs.com
SOURCE:
www.euskalkultura.com
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