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The presentation of “In the Footsteps of Euskera.  The Basque Language and its Presence in Argentina,” took place last Monday at the National Library in Buenos Aires with an address from the director of the entity, Horacio Gonzalez; the president of FEVA, Hugo Andiazabl, and the Delegate of the Basque Government in Argentina, Sara Pagola.  The exhibit will be open until December 9 from 9-21:00 in the Juan L. Ortiz Hall. 

Buenos Aires, Argentina.   The exhibit created by the Delegation of Euskadi in Argentina and Mercosur with the collaboration of HABE and FEVA was inaugurated on November 16 as part of the activities held in Buenos Aires to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Basque teacher training program, Argentinan Euskaraz.

The event was led by Horacio Gonzalez, director of the Library whose words highlighted the influence of Basque writers on local literature.  “Even if artists had written in Spanish, in its Argentine variety, several writers of Basque origin have been the founders of national literature.  This is the case of Esteban Echevarria, author of the story that is considered the Argentinean story, The Slaughterhouse.

“I would also like to mention Arturo Jauretche, writer that is part of the great Argentine debate.  Appreciated by many, and refuted by others, who is also a descendant of a Basque family.  I think of them together event though they seem opposed, let’s remember that Echevarria represented the legacy of a liberal romantic model and Jauretche, a century later, of a more national and popular line – they would not have been in these positions had they not been considered as the founders of the movements.  These two authors of Basque descent both founded movements, the Generation of 37 by Echeverria and the group Forja Jauretche, with the idea of re-founding of the nation via youth as well as the linguistic reworking of the nation,” Gonzalez explained.

After the remarks by the renowned professor, Hugo Andiazabal and Sara Pagola spoke also to highlight the importance of the Argentinan Euskaraz program in the maintenance of Euskera in the country as well as to stress the dedication of its students and professors.  They also thanked the audience for attending the inauguration including representatives from the Euskal Echea College, Ekin publishers, Euskalzaleak from Buenos Aires, the Basque-Argentine Business Chamber and Basque clubs including Chivilcoy and Jose C. Paz.

To conclude the event, a video on Basque was shown and a guided tour of the exhibit was led by Delegate, Sara Pagola.  The exhibit can be visited until December 9 in the Juan L. Ortiz Hall at the National Library, Agüero 2502 from 9-21:00.

Upcoming activities that are part of the 25th anniversary celebration of Argentinan Euskaraz, are the following:

-Friday, November 27, 18:30-20:30: Conference:  “Thirty Years of Social Evolution of Euskera: a Paradigmatic Case” by Patxi Baztarrika, Vice-minister of Linguistic Policy of the Basque Government.  Presentation of the book: El Euskera en Argentina, identidad y sentimiento, by Magdalena Mignaburu.  Sample of the exhibit participating at the Week of Languages.  Place Colegio Euskal Echea, Events Hall, Chile 2032.

-Saturday, November 28, 12:00-17:00: Outdoor festival in front of the Euskaltzaleak Clubhouse in Buenos Aires.  Txupinazo, trikitixa, games, food booths.  Screening of the participant videos and winners of the “Eusketxak” contest.  Awards ceremony for the “Logo Contest.”  Birthday cake.  Place: Euskaltzaleak, Bernardo de Irigoyen 826.

-Thursday, December 3, 18:00-20:00: Guided visit of the exhibit “In the Footsteps of the Basque Language.  The Basque Language and its Presence in Argentina” along with Basque delegate Sara Pagola.  Roundtable “Don’t cry for me, Argentina, I will speak your language but also mine.”  Experiences of immigration and language conservation by directors of language programs in Greek (Giorgios Diakakis), Welsh, Ukranean and Euskera (José Fco. Zinkunegi). Moderator: Pablo Ubierna. Place: Book and Language Museum, Auditorium, Avda. Las Heras 2555.