The old bus station in Pamplona is full of people. On one side, children play. In the other, people accumulate and lots of empty chairs and papillas. “III Region of Pamplona. The mintzodrome is about to start,” said journalist Reyes Ilintxeta on the speakers. Euskaltegi AEK of the Region of Pamplona, the Euskaltegi IKA of the Region of Pamplona, the Official School of Languages of Pamplona, the public Euskaltegi Zubiarte and Euskaltzaleen Topagunea have begun practicing Euskera.

The aim of the mintzodrome is to practice Basque, expand the Basque network, lose the shame of speaking in Basque, etc. To do so, they sit four in four and discuss three topics. They've had an hour to talk about work and consumption patterns in Basque, 20 minutes per subject. They have had questions about each topic, such as “When and how do you feel more comfortable in Basque?”, “Advantages and disadvantages of telework” and “Do we buy more than we need?”

Emma Arrizabalaga of the House of Culture of Euskaltzaleak explained that they have chosen “uncontentious issues” in order not to open great debates. In addition, they wanted them to be “easy”, because there are very diverse people in Basque. However, the minimum level of participation is B1. “The consumption model can be the same as the most difficult because it can have a more special vocabulary,” he explains.

Besides the participants, some children and adults who are playing have approached the cushion. “Hello! Forgive, what… what is this?” asks one. “An exercise to practice Basque,” they answer. “I still know little, but later…” The children have also approached Arrizabalaga to ask. “It’s OK because there are many children and families. It would also be good if it were to be done on the street, and if people were to see it,” he said.

Everyone is in place and the chair dance begins. They must be moved every time a new topic is started. The goal is to meet unknown people to meet more people. Some anxious and others eager. Ainhoa, one of the participants, wakes up “very nervous”: “I want to meet more people. It costs me a lot, but I want to practice Basque.” Some speak quickly, others slow and ask for mutual help. “How do you say electrician in Basque?” asks one. “Elektrikan,” the other replied.

Desire to speak

It has been the biggest turnout of all times: last year there were about 100 people and this year about 180. “I don’t know very well why it has been, it may be that in April people are more excited because they see the summer closer or that, as recently Korrika has been, people’s interest in speaking in Basque has been awakened,” says Arrizabalaga.

One more year, as last year, they have had “special” guests such as Iker Huitzi and Joli Pascualena from the Demode Quartet, and Jagoba Arrasate, coach of the football team Osasuna. They draw bonds to spend on the Laba network and the Karrikiri store, disks from the Demode Quartet group and others. “Chatting or singing, always well in Basque,” says Pascual.