Related Links:    Origins of Euskararen Eguna        Euskara proposals

Once a year there is day set aside (officially Dec. 3rd though we rotate it) for the celebration of Euskara, the Basque language.  This annual NABO event goes to our three part goal of making Euskara  "visible, viable & vital."  This year's event was hosted by the Chino Basque Club, and it consisted consisted of several items including our regular Euskara instructors workshop.  This workshop assembles all those at work teaching Euskara in our Basque clubs with the dual hopes of providing them useful teaching material and a boost of enthusiasm to keep going. 

A special treat that day was a guest lecture by one of the biggest names in Basque literature and newest member of the Euskaltzaindia: Bernardo Atxaga (click on Atxaga for more information).  He spoke about the function of literature in general, and Basque literature specifically.  Also speaking was Dr. Xabier Irujo of the Center for Basque Studies who spoke about the origins of the Euskararen Nazioarteko Eguna (click on Origins of Euskararen Eguna to see his presentation PowerPoint).  Here's a brief photo overview of the weekend.

Opening session of the weekend workshop for NABO Euskara instructors.  Once a year these instructors of Euskara from are various Basque clubs gather to share teaching ideas.

Guest speaker Nere Lete on teaching Basque from Basque Studies at Boise State University.

Kinku Zinkunegi was with us again for this workshop. The Basque Government's department of language HABE has been of great assistance in our NABO Euskara campaign.

Attentive participants Enrike Corcostegui (Reno), NABO Treasurer Grace Mainvil (Ontario), Gloria Lejardi (Homedale), Maitexa Cuburu (San Francisco) & Bernadette Minaberrigarri (Bakersfield).

Worried there is going to be a quiz are Izaskun Kortazar (Boise), Ibon Izurieta & Alezia Aleman (Denver), Mikel Oteiza (Chino) & Gina Gridley (Mountain Home) who is praying.

Sam Snodgrass (Boise) contemplating how he is going to teach the tricky subject of nor-nori-nork while NABOs Euskara Coordinator Martin Goicoechea (Rock Springs) and Lisa Corcostegui (Ontario) look on.

Guest speaker Xabier Irujo (Ph.D.) from the Center for Basque Studies at the University of Nevada, Reno.  You can view his PowerPoint at Origins of Euskararen Eguna

Guest speaker Bernardo Atxaga speaking on the purpose of literature in general, and Basque literature specifically.

Following the workshop sessions, all were invited to the lectures and meal.

The Chino Basque Club served as the host of the event, and here club members Jenny Ysursa & Maite Maisterrena are helping to prepare the Saturday night meal.

Instructors at the sing-a-long Maitexa Cuburu (San Francisco) asking what number song, Bernadette Minaberrigarai (Bakersfield) laughing because she told her the wrong one and Xabier Berrueta (San Francisco) doing his best Pavorroti impersionation.

Benito Lertxundi composed a song exclusively for the International Basque Language Day, Dec.3 (Euskararen Nazioarteko Eguna.)     - Download MP3 song (2.62 MB) - Listen to the song in Real Audio format - Watch the video in Real Video format

Eskerrik asko Mike Bidart for playing music

LAGUNTZAILEAK / Sponsors & hosts

Eskerrik asko Sam Snodgrass for the photos!

For those of you wondering because of all the male photos here at the end, yes women also speak Basque!  My mom (Begona Ysursa) is one!   at our celebration!