- A few days have passed since the end of the most special, emotional, comprehensive and beautiful event held in Euskal Herria: KORRIKA For eleven days it has traveled all our geography, above all limits, since the people of Euskera cannot be set limits.
The same feelings of eleven days and night have appeared that every two years: the illusion that the first day begins to work, the excitement of entering the region or in the village, the joy and nerves of seeing the camper away, the joy of running and screaming, that strange sensation of when it ends … and the fullness of the last day, as when this year we see Vitoria full of people. It's already been 21 editions since some crazy people started the initiative, and we're still excited.
What has happened in recent days, however, should not distract us from reality. Although much progress has been made in recent decades, speaking in Basque is still a way against normality. We must not forget that the people of the Basque Country are not limited to the CAV, and that in 2019 it is not the language we have as an official throughout our territory. In Upper Navarre, beyond the electoral promises, the Vascuence law remains in force, fragmenting its population and recognizing different rights. It’s time to put the phobias aside and that all Navarros can learn, use… Linguae Navarrorum. On the other hand, in the region beyond the Pyrenees, in Iparralde, which we often see so far, the Basque country has no official recognition. Our survival is due to its inhabitants, to local agents, to ikastolas, to night schools, to Euskaltegis, to the popular movement…
It is difficult, and AEK does not have to limit or choose who is going to participate in KORRIKA and who is going to bear the witness, but some do not have to commit to such initiatives… time will put each one in place.
As Amets Arzallus reminded us in Euskaraldia, we are now all in favour of the Basque Country, because it is difficult to be against the “culture”, to see who can justify that. However, when the Basque Country leaves the area in which it is supposed to be his, some generate concerns and problems. Nor should we forget the boycott of KORRIKA for many years. “[Any of the peoples of Euskal Herria], for the Basque!” is one of the most repeated slogans heard in KORRIKA. The key, on the other hand, will come when we take the leap of being to do, as Euskal Herrian Euskaraz reminds us. Also in this regard, Maialen Lujanbio gave severe support to the witness's message. The institutions must bring together and implement the wishes of the people. What is it for us if the different parties, Parliament, the deputies, the elected officials … take the witness and then do not make a real commitment to the Basque country, when it is not the opposite? Why go to KORRIKA if the names of the buildings/initiatives that will be inaugurated the following day are like BEC (Bilbao Exhibition Centre), Itzulia Basque Country, Urdaibai Bird Centre, Basque Culinary Centre, Basque Fest, Bermeo Tuna World Capital, Bizkaia Silver Week…? The consequences of globalization, some will say, “renew or die” others… I would add “Cosmopolitas vs kosmopaletos”.
I do not want to forget, because they are also the institution, the kilometer of those who did in the Old, the kilometer of those who fined a young man a few weeks before and brought a journalist to the courts… On another special issue that needs to be addressed.
This commitment to Euskera also reflects the influence of institutions on the media. Information publications in Basque are subsidized. Well, you just have to see how that separation is made, between them and how much, to feel great auzolan. We would need a special article to analyze the situation of Euskal Irrati Telebista, one of the main sponsors of KORRIKA. Just a couple of quick notes; today’s time dedicated to Teleberri, which on many occasions “obliges” the Basques to answer in Spanish, the difference of programs (Mass, rural sport…)… we will have to give a couple of laps to them if we want to achieve a reference Basque public chain. A hug to the alternative, Basque and popular media!
It is difficult, and AEK does not have to limit or choose who is going to participate in KORRIKA and who is going to bear the witness, but some do not have the commitment to justify their absence in these kinds of initiatives… the time will put each one in place.
Well, we will continue to be thrilled with KORRIKA (the day will come when such initiatives are not needed), but not as an anecdotal action of two years. In fact, we have a people to create, as Maialen Lujanbio said in the 2009 bertsolaris championship, “from the Basque and the Basque.”