Counsellor Zupiria has published a very juicy text the day after the celebration of Basque Day. He has denounced, first of all, that the Basque Wikipedia did not offer a single line to the 1982 Basque Law. And his denunciation has had a positive result, as it shows a broad explanation of the Basque Law, although Basque Day is still limited to four thin lines. He mentioned the influence of hatred and mistrust, and it is possible, since these are widespread diseases on the one hand and on the other. So, with difference but with loyalty, we want to transfer this writing to you.

He has stated that the 1982 Basque Law established the right of citizens to use the Basque Country and the obligation to guarantee that right to the public authorities. Well, almost forty years later, we ran into big hurdles to be able to speak in Basque. And not only in the private sphere (for example, in department stores of all kinds), because the power to act in Euskera in the public institutions dependent on Spain remains a utopia, but that public institutions, despite the demand of the citizens, must guarantee active care in Euskera and the provisional use of the word in Euskera through the implementation of a first attitude in favor of the Basque. Although it may appear to be a lie, the use of the Basque Country in the General Administration of the CAV remains very modest, and its responsibility lies mainly in the lack of will of the authorities.

Then he quoted Euskaraldia and the arigunes: “Quiet spaces without barriers for the use of Euskera and that bring us great satisfaction”. But we are in that the Basque Government itself, which should set an example, does not take proper advantage of the opportunities to create arigunes. It seems that the Basque Government drives Euskaraldia because it does not involve concrete commitments, but that everything is "voluntary" and with immense results (or depending on the perceptions of the participants), and so the concrete measures to promote use, the responsibilities of political decision-makers and, ultimately, language policy remain in the shadows.

On the other hand, he states that the preparatory work of Euskaraldia has been an example of collaboration. In any case, the models would be outside the Basque Government. Despite the fact that there are hundreds of members and supporters among the Basque Government’s Basque trade unions, the Basque Government has not wanted to develop any cooperation and has left them out of the Euskaraldia organisation.

It says that we have no references: we have nowhere to look and where to copy, and that the Basque needs positive speeches. As a spokesperson for the Basque Government, you should know that the government’s first (also ethical) obligation is to tell the whole truth, reserving the masks for COVID-19. If the economy, employment, health and the environment are going badly, people must be told that they are. Why not the same thing we talk about the status of the Basque Country? We have "where to look and where to copy", the instant i! We do not live on the margins of the world. Our problems will be analysed in a global logic, analysing and contrasting other external experiences and methods (especially those of other communities stepped by the same boot that tramples us on), and for that we must use scientific and, therefore, universal concepts, abandoning esencialisms. Also in Catalonia, where and in Catalonia, for example, are very concerned about the use of Catalan in the city of Barcelona and in the metropolis only 19%. If we found ourselves much lower in use, what the hell, completely useless! By the way, we would sincerely recommend that you read the series of articles on the future of Catalan that have written 30 university experts and of the "Catalanisation" in November (Vilaweb). You will see that it is compatible with rigorous socio-linguistic thinking and with a scientific vision to call the alarm and become aware of the extreme situation of the language.

Finally, why do most newcomers choose Spanish? I should give you an idea. If we want to encourage the Euskaldunberris, and the bottled Euskaldunberris, to immerse themselves in Euskera, the current language policy (of all areas) needs to be greatly improved, starting with the implementation of a transversal language policy in all the public administrations of the CAV, building a much more Euskaldun EiTB, strengthening the use of Euskera at all levels (necessity).

Hoping that all this will serve as a reminder, a cordial greeting!

* Members of the Plazara Gatoz initiative:

J.J. Agirre,

Dr. G. Luzuriaga,

M. Rezola,

P. Sudupe,

I. López de Luzuriaga,

Dr. G. Mejuto, Y. Slaughterhouse,

J. German.