Etxepare Basque Institute celebrates its 15th anniversary at the National Library of France

The Etxepare Basque Institute celebrated its 15th anniversary in Paris with a special performance held in the main auditorium of the National Library of France (BnF). The event on 19 November gathered over 300 people, and was attended by prominent figures from the cultural, institutional and political spheres, as well as members of the Basque diaspora. The Paris headquarters of the BnF is also home to the only known copy of Linguae Vasconum Primitiae, the first book printed in the Basque language.

The show traced the evolution of the Basque language from the 1545 publication of the book to its current international prominence, interspersed with speeches by Basque Prime Minister Imanol Pradales, Deputy Prime Minister Ibone Bengoetxea, BnF President Gilles Pécout, and Etxepare Euskal Institutua Director Irene Larraza. 

The 15 poems made up of 15 syllables that form the backbone of Bernat Etxepare´s work served as the basis for this artistic journey, which represented the transition of the Basque language from the origins of printing to the present day. Playwright Olatz Beobide directed the stage production, which featured creators from various disciplines. The soundtrack composed by Manu Gaigne wove a soundscape that intertwined the rhythms of ancient printing with contemporary sounds of the Basque language. The Haatik dance company performed a choreography that gave shape to the living movement of the language. The group Habia provided the voices and instruments for Etxepare´s verses, while visual projections by artist Iurre Aranburu, live sound design by Patrick Fischer, and lighting by Aitz Amilibia completed the staging. 

Several poems from Linguae Vasconum Primitiae – among them ‘Emazteen fabore’ y ‘Kontrapas’ – were brought to life on the stage. ‘Kontrapas’ was heard in 18 different languages, reflecting the 18 translations of the first book in Euskara and the capacity of the Basque language to project itself and engage in dialogue with other languages around the world. 

The evening ended with a highly symbolic gesture: the Etxepare Basque Institute presented the French National Library with all 18 translations of Linguae Vasconum Primitiae. The project was made possible thanks to a joint effort by Euskaltzaindia (Royal Academy of the Basque Language), and the Basque Parliament. For the edition in Braille, the Academy worked together with ONCE, the National Organization of the Spanish Blind. The donation highlighted the enduring legacy of Bernat Etxepare and the Basque language´s vocation to engage in dialogue with other languages and cultures. 

Promoting the Basque language and culture – at the heart of the debate

The show provided a platform for the leading authorities present to speak. The Basque Prime Minister highlighted the work of the Etxepare Basque Institute and announced the creation of the Esther Ferrer Chair at Sorbonne University. Pradales also praised the vitality of the Basque language and stressed the need for Euskara to be recognised as an official language in European institutions. The Prime Minister also highlighted the Institute´s track record, describing it as “a fundamental tool for showing the world who we are”.

A new chair in Paris

The creation of the Esther Ferrer Chair of Basque Studies at the Sorbonne University was announced during the ceremony. By naming the new department after Ferrer, the Etxepare Basque Institute wants to acknowledge the outstanding contribution of this pioneering and internationally celebrated artist to contemporary Basque art. This achievement, among others, also reinforces the work being carried out by the Institute to promote the Basque language and culture within the French-speaking world, as part of the “Ça colle au basque” initiative.

Broad representation

The anniversary celebration welcomed prominent representatives from the institutional, cultural, and diplomatic sectors. Representatives from Basque institutions in Iparralde, members of the European Parliament and delegations from various European cultural institutes were in attendance. In addition to several figures from the academic world, the event also brought together leading figures from the arts world, including Esther Ferrer, composer Ramon Lazkano, and artist Juan Pérez Agirregoikoa, as well as the former head of the Etxepare Basque Institute and current director of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, Miren Arzalluz.