Etxepare Basque Institute to open a new Basque language and culture readership at Tiblisi University in Georgia

As a result of the collaboration agreement signed in September 2020 between the Etxepare Basque Institute and Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University in Georgia, in February 2021 the university will launch a new Basque Language and Culture readership. On November 17 the Institute will start a selection process for a Basque Language and Culture Lecturer to teach at this Georgian university for the 2021-2022 academic year, with the possibility of an extension.

According to Irene Larraza, director of the Etxepare Basque Institute, Basque and Georgian culture have a close relationship, including on a linguistic level. “The relationship between Euskara and Georgian is well-researched,” she said, adding that "all of this has led to a special interest in Basque culture and language in this country in the Caucasus region, most particularly from the University of Tbilisi." Larraza points out that the University has been “proactive from the beginning” in setting up the lectureship and has provided “numerous opportunities.” Larraza believes that it will be a "very fruitful" lectureship, which will not only attract many students but will strengthen ties between the Basque and Georgian cultures.

Full-time contract

The lecturer will have a full-time contract (up to 15 hours per week in academic activities), to teach from February 2021 to August 2022, with a possible extension, which will be offered to the lecturer on a year-to-year basis subject to a favorable report from the University.

Candidates who apply for the position must meet the following requirements: 

Hold a Bachelor´s degree in Humanities, Social Sciences or Literature (e.g., languages, philosophy, history, linguistics, translation) and a Master´s degree in Humanities, Social Sciences or Literature. Hold a certificate equivalent to 3 He or C1 of linguistic competence in Basque and certify at least a C1 level of English. They must also have a certificate of publication of a paper in the linguistic field or of having participated with a lecture in a conference in this field. Priority will be given to the Degree or Bachelor´s degree in Basque Philology, Basque Studies or Translation and Interpretation (Language into: Basque) and the Master´s degrees in these subjects, as well as accreditation of the PL4 or C2 level of Basque.

The successful candidate will become part of the Institute´s international network of 30 lecturers in 35 universities around the world.

Application submission must be within 30 days after the call has been published in the Official Gazette of the Basque Country (BOPV), until 30th December.