The Euskaraska initiative has now reached half a year. The group was created at the Casa de Orbe in October 2022, on the Euskaraldia portal. “The initial idea was to create a space to speak and practice Basque, together with the organization of various activities around the Basque country,” the project promoters explain.
In the occupied town of Gardea there are open meetings every Thursday, where the idea was raised. “The members of the House of Orbe took the proposal enthusiastically. Therefore, together we began to shape what Euskaraska would be.”
Every Friday at 8 p.m.
Every Friday they meet in the house of Orbe at 8 p.m. So decide what and how to do it. Various activities have been organized since October. “For example, the presentation of the blog of the natural space Lamuza Arraño, the conference on mental health, the presentation of the book Txori Urdin, the projection of some film…”.
Other Fridays just stay together. “We listen to music and talk while we take something. The Orbedo bar is open and a unique opportunity to eat or taste vegan and vegetarian food.”
Driving Basque “outside the academic environment”
The main objective of the promoters of the dynamic was to be able to live in Basque “outside the academic environment and in an environment of affinity”. “Unfortunately, the Basque language is not used in our environment many times. On the one hand, those who know are not encouraged and, on the other hand, those who are learning or do not have too much level do not dare to use them for lack of habit”.
Therefore, they promote Euskera without “complexes and pressures”, and are satisfied so far with the experiences of life. “It’s very nice and enriching to be with people of different levels and see how we help each other. Some of us ask a thousand times how to say who in the past or some word. So we learn a lot, that is, listening to others or making posters, among others.”
They are based on “their philosophy.” “The team members decided what the project is, what we do and how we have done it. We are not linked to an institutional programme or subsidies, and it is an open space at all levels and ages.”
“Affinity” and “shared political vision” are also important elements of the initiative. They want to continue along the same lines both in the short and long term. “Our goal is to learn and enjoy among us and create something collective.”
