Presentation of ‘Ça colle au basque’ 2026

The Etxepare Basque Institute announced the 2026 programme of activities for ‘Ça colle au basque’ at an event held in Biarritz. The initiative, launched last year, aims to enhance the visibility and status of the Basque language, culture and creative works in regions where French is the common language. It also seeks to create new opportunities for the Basque cultural ecosystem.

The event took place at the Gare du Midi theatre, home to the French Centre for Choreography, and was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Culture and Language Policy, Ibone Bengoetxea; the Director of the Etxepare Basque Institute, Irene Larraza; representatives from the Malandain Ballet Biarritz, along with various cultural stakeholders and creators involved in the project.

Now in its second year, ‘Ça colle au basque’ will take Basque creators to 15 festivals and events in France, Belgium and Quebec in 2026. The programme also includes artistic activities, book launches, professional meetings and two creative residencies, as well as the second open call for the translation and publication of Basque-language literature into French. On the academic front, Basque studies programmes will continue in Bordeaux, Pau, Paris and Montreal, and a new chair will be established at the Sorbonne University, named after the artist Esther Ferrer.

The project has brought together 30 partners in a network that aims to promote collaboration between local and international stakeholders and facilitate implementation of the programme in 2026. Institutions in Iparralde play a strategic role as a natural bridge between Basque and French-speaking cultures, using a shared linguistic and institutional framework to facilitate access and relationship-building.

The 2026 programme will feature prominently at international festivals and events. Basque artists will take centre stage in music, film, the performing arts and contemporary art in cities including Montreal, Nantes and Lyon. Two creative residencies will also be held in Bordeaux and Montreal.

In the area of literature, the call for proposals to support translations of works from Basque into French will continue; thanks to the first round, four projects are already underway, with two due for publication later this year.