The emerging Basque Studies program at California State University, Bakersfield sponsored its first international conference with speakers presenting on various aspects of Basques in the West.

5th International Seminar
NON | Where:  California State University, Bakersfield
NOIZ | When:  October 22-23-24, 2008
ZER | What:  Below is a look back at some of the highlights

Long-time Basque Studies scholars.  California State University, Fresno's Jeri Echeverria (who spoke on Basque Boarding houses) and the Center for Basque Studies' emeritus professor Bill Douglass (who provided an assessment of Basque Studies at this moment).

Basque Studies Consortium coordinators.  California State University, Bakersfield's Steven Gamboa ( who coordinated conference events) and Boise State University's John Bieter (who presented).

The Kern County Basque Club hosted a dinner for the participants, then featured music by the European Basque band Trikizio

Participants (L-R): Conference presenters Argitxu Camus (Center for Basque Studies), Oscar Alvarez & David Rio (University of the Basque Country), Jeri Echeverria (California State University, Fresno) and Steve Bass (author of Chronology of Basques).

Participants (L-R): University of California, Santa Barbara's Viola Miglio (who is working to create a Basque Studies program on campus), Xabier Irujo (Center for Basque Studies) and Alberto Angulo (University of the Basque Country).

The image at left is the guiding principle of the Basque Studies Consortium:  "rowing together" to mutually support efforts in Basque Studies.

Participants taking in one of the presentations.  The speakers and topics included:

William Douglass (University of Nevada, Reno)
"In the Rear View Mirror:" An assessment of the state of Basque Studies"

Joseba Agirreazkuenaga Ziorraga (University of the Basque Country, Leioa)  “From the Battlefield to Diplomacy: Joaquín M. Satrustegui Bris (Donostia-San Sebastian 1817-1885), Peacemaker at Bergara (1839) and Consul of Spain for San Francisco (1851-1860).”

Argitxu Camus Etxekopar (University of Nevada, Reno)
“Basque Ethnic Institutions in the Western United States”

Joxe Mallea (University of Nevada, Reno) and Michael Baldrica (District Archeologist for the National Forest Service—Sierraville Ranger District)
"Tree Carvings and Basque Sheepherders in the West"

David Río (University of the Basque Country, Gasteiz)
“Negotiating Personal Identity and Place: Basques in Recent Western American Literature (1998-2008)”

Marijo Olaziregi (University of Nevada, Reno)
“(American) Utopia and Exile in Contemporary Basque Literature”

Oscar Alvarez (University of the Basque Country) and Argitxu Camus Etxekopar (University of Nevada, Reno)
“Basque Diaspora and Religion”

Xabier Irujo (University of Nevada, Reno)
“Basque Politics in the West” 

John Ysursa (San Diego State University)
“Invisible Cargo: the Cultural Values of Basque Immigrants”

John Bieter (Boise State University)
“Generations of Basques: Choices and Opportunities in the American West”

Alberto Argulo (University of the Basque Country)
"Basque Associations in the Colonial Era"

Jeronima Echeverria (California State University, Fresno)
"The Basque Boarding House"

The conference concluded at the oldest-running Basque boarding house in America, the "Noriega Hotel" in Bakersfield. Sponsors of the conference were the Kern County Basque Club, EuskoSare, California State University, Bakersfield & NABO.