Recently the book Diversity and Coexistence in Navarra published by Eusko Ikaskuntza-Sociedad de Estudios Vascos has been read, there are some sections that have concerned us, especially in the Basque field. We will mention some of them.

The authors approach the issue from a Salomon perspective. “(Euskara) decadence… to whom he spoke of a natural process, there is a line that prefers to talk about exogenous causes, diglosis and repression against the Basque Country”. There is no “natural” death of languages, and it is even surprising to classify the repression against the Basque (the Basques) at the level of opinions, although the oppression suffered in Franco (not at any other time) is mentioned below. We have suffered linguistic exclusion for centuries, even today.

These authors have also addressed ETA's "mission". "The defense of the Basque Country by ETA made it related to violence... politicized the Basque country and made it visible as a threat between some parties and sectors, as in the case of the PSN". Unfortunately, however, the Basque Country’s PSOE is well ahead of the creation of ETA. In any case, who has the courage to establish a connection between the Basque Country and ETA, should not first mention Castilian and the imposition between Borbón, Franco, or the Civil Guard?

The photograph of the situation of the Basque Country in the text is current. Apart from the few initial brushes, the evolution of the Basque Country and its causes are not addressed. However, a crude judgment has been given: “Navarre is above all a non-Basque speaking territory, because 3/4 of the population does not know it”. Wow! On the other hand, data related to the level of knowledge and / or current use of the Basque Country in Navarra are not well exposed.

The unfortunate phrase is not missing. On the other hand, "it is difficult to calm the tension around the Basque country if it is suspected that this language is closely linked to a political project". Or: "For various reasons… the Basque Country is constantly related to controversy and scandal, as happens in some positions of the Administration of Navarra when assessing the Basque Country". On the one hand, the Basque Country is not intimately linked to any political project (if we would not be). On the contrary, if there is a constant effort to link Euskera to radical nationalism, on the part of the majority of Spanish political projects seeking the disappearance of the Basque (Euskaldun community). On the other hand, the scandal and controversy are only those who want to close the doors to Basque (the linguistic rights of the Basques) in public institutions. Or is the “scandal” caused by the whistleblower after being abused?

The most striking have been: "Except in exceptional cases, it is not normal for the population of Navarra to oppose the Basque Country." Or in the case of Navarre, two nationalisms work with the same logic of equality; both believe that the languages they defend have to be spoken throughout Navarre". Unfortunately, there is no need to sharpen eyes or ears to tupust with Navarran vascophones. We have abundant left and right in the whole territory of Navarre, the more south we have anger. Also in the “progressive” Navarre government! The Department of Education, under the PSN, has suspended the program “Basque musicians in schools” during the summer. How long? ). Public administrations dependent on both UPN and PSN, which instead of acting “prudently” have formed in the marginalization of the Basques.

Finally, we found the statement that “two nationalisms are working with the same logic of equality” very far from the truth. And that is that the nationalist forces are engaged in the defence of the linguistic rights of the Basques, in a timid and unwavering manner, generally taking precedence over party interests. On the contrary, most of the Spanish nationalist forces, from Vox to the PSN, are shamelessly fighting against the linguistic rights of the Basques, they want the Basque country to be isolated, on the margins, in the hope that it will disappear with impotence, at the very most fossilized “heritage”. Nationalists claim language rights (when they do). Spanish nationalists deny or limit, crush. It is an injustice to put one another on the same level.

In short, reading this book has left us frozen. Eusko Ikaskuntza… where are you going?

From Navarra, Gerardo Luzuriaga and Jonjo Agirre