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Vitoria-Gasteiz.  The Argentinean Veronica Domingo is a lawyer and an expert in International Relations.  She currently lives in Gasteiz and last year worked full time in the organization of the V World Congress of Basque Collectivities.  She is Basque herself from the Diaspora and the Basque language is one of her life’s passions.  Now, this supporter of the Basque language, formed in Argentina, is ready to share what she has learned, helping others practice Basque.  Her contribution has been remarkable, and so that is why she was awarded the Mintzalaguna prize.

“Basque is family;” that’s how she explains her connection to it.  Her father was born in Renteria, Gipuzkoa and her mother was born in Argentina of Navarrese ancestors.  Veronica remembers the first time she hear Basque, at age 5, in her grandmother’s kitchen.  “She was talking with a friend, and it seemed to me like they were singing,” she remembers.  “They were laughing a lot and I really wanted to know what they were saying.”

Living in Basque in Argentina

Growing up and maybe to satiate that curiosity, Veronica learned Basque, first at the Basque club in Mar del Plata, and then at a barnetegi in Tandil as part of HABE’s “Argentinan Eusakraz” program. Her first year was as a student, but then she accompanied her studies with teaching classes.

In Mar del Plata she was one of the supporters of the Artaburu Euskaltzale Taldea, a very active group that created a number of activities.  “We worked a lot, but I was able to live in Basque in Argentina,” she said.  Artaburu was awarded the ENE prize on International Day of Euskera in 2006 for its work in support o the Basque language outside of Euskal Herria.

Diaspora Basques' contribution

Now Veronica sees her dedication being recognized with another reward, adn this time for having helpd many learn and practice Basque in the Basque Country through the Mintzalaguna program. She began as a mintzalaguna (speaking partner) in 2007, when she moved to Algorta.  “It was a way to meet people,” she explained.  In 2009, she moved to Gasteiz and shortly after she joined the local group.

She is aware that many are still surprised at an Argentinean who speaks and teaches Basque but she downplays this by saying that there are many others in the group with strange and interesting stories. "I would like to mention friends from the Diaspora who learnt Basque in Argentina and are currently working for the Basque culture in the Basque Country:

-Juan Abasolo, from Buenos Aires, Euskera teacher at the barnetegi of Zornotza.
-Maite Bilbao, from Necochea, Basque teacher at the AEK euskaltegi in Hernani.
-Rozio Luces, from Montevideo, works at Egizu Getxo Euskaldun and at the Berbalagun group in Algorta. Won the Mintzalaguna award in 2005.
-Marina Paglialunga, from Buenos Aires, Basque technician at Elhuyar Aholkularitza.
-Maite Iturre, who has studied in Basque at the UPV-EHU, and is nowadays a university teacher and politician.

They all deserve the award, for having learnt Basque outside the Basque Country, and then coming here and keep on working in favour of the Basque Culture",  Veronica declares.