Etxepare Basque Institute sparks global Korrika celebrations in 17 cities worldwide

Under the slogan ‘Euskara gara’ (We are Euskara), the Korrika fun run in support of the Basque language will wind its way through the streets of cities around the world. As usual, the Etxepare Basque Institute joins AEK’s initiative to promote the Basque language and spread it beyond the Basque Country. Members of Basque cultural centres (Euskal Etxeak) from around the world and Basque language and culture lecturers at universities have organised a range of activities for the coming days. As part of the international Korrika initiative, the Institute will be organising numerous events across 17 cities worldwide.

The 24th Korrika will be held from 19 to 29 March. Over the course of 11 days, participants will cover around 2,175 kilometres across the Basque Country, setting off from Atharratze and finishing in Bilbao.

The Basque Institute Etxepare will join forces with 17 cities around the world to host events surrounding the great race in support of the Basque language. These include eight cities in Europe (Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Poland, etc.); eight cities in South and North America (Chile, Colombia, the USA, Mexico, Peru); and Sydney (Oceania).

Some of these activities are organised by lecturers specialising in the Basque language and culture. To support this work, the Institute establishes partnerships with universities worldwide, facilitating the inclusion of Basque studies programmes. The lectureships it promotes provide courses on Basque language and culture at numerous institutions globally. Additionally, through various initiatives, the Basque Institute Etxepare fosters teacher training and enhances students’ proficiency in the Basque language.

A number of Euskal Etxeak (Basque centres) also organise activities. The Institute maintains close ties with various Basque centres around the world, promoting Basque classes in at the centres both through the Euskara Munduan programme and by sending out teaching materials.

In many of these cities, students and staff from the Basque cultural centres, together with members of the Euskal Etxeak, have jointly organised activities in support of the Korrika, demonstrating the cohesion of the Basque community on an international level. In particular, ‘Korrika Txikiak’ – or mini-races – will take place alongside the official Korrika.

As in previous years, the Etxepare Basque Institute supports Korrika with the aim of spreading the message in favour of the Basque language throughout the world. The institute has also put together a video contest for members of the Euskal Etxeak and the university lectureship network, in collaboration with AEK, and will sponsor the ‘Etxepare’ area in Bilbao’s Plaza Nueva on 29 March, the final day of the event.