euskalkultura.eus

Vitoria-Gasteiz.  The opening of a new Basque Government satellite office in Boise is the result of Lehendakari López’s visit, last July, to Idaho’s capital, when Lehendakari López met with Governor Butch Otter, as well as a subsequent meeting held in the Basque Country in September between Deputy Governor Brad Little and the Lehendakari.

Boise, Gernika’s sister-city, has one of the largest Basque populations in the United States, including a Basque Mayor in Dave Bieter who also speaks Basque.  The Secretary of State is also a Basque-American, Ben Ysursa, whose family has been an important part of the Basque community, established in Idaho since the late nineteenth, early twentieth centuries.

The relationship between Idaho and Euskadi has increased notably during the last few decades, due not only to the Basque community, but also due to economic interests that both share.  It is within this context that official trips and contacts have been made by both administrations including the Lehendakari’s trip last July which coincided with Jaialdi, Boise’s mega Basque festival, held once every five years.

An Idaho office is also expected to be opened in Bilbao, as outlined in the agreement signed by both administrations, valid for two years, in order to deepen the economic, educational and cultural ties between Idaho and Euskadi.

Furthermore, the opening of the office in Boise will finalize the restructuring of the Basque Government's presence in North America which includes, besides the central Delegation in New York, its current government office in Mexico City, culminating it with the appointment --it seems that in july-- of the government representative in New York that will fill the vacancy left by Aitor Sotes’s resignation two years ago.  Sotes was appointed by the Ibarretxe Cabinet.