Excellence in Basque Studies XII

The ‘Bikaintasuna Euskal Ikasketetan’ (Excellence in Basque Studies) summer course will take place this year on July 11th and 12th at San Sebastian’s Palacio de Miramar. The name of this year’s focus is ‘Egon eta egin, sustraiak sendotuz aurrera begira’ (loosely translated as ‘Strengthening roots’). The participants will reflect on the work done so far with regard to teaching Basque language and culture and how to face the challenges ahead. Registration  is now open.

The aim this year is to look both backwards and forwards. Participants will discuss the efforts made so far in teaching Basque language and culture, and how to face new challenges in the future.

The course is geared to bolstering training for current and future Basque language assistants. Experts in different fields of knowledge of the Basque language and culture will take part in the course. The list of speakers includes Garbiñe Iztueta Goizueta, Director of Promotion and Dissemination of Basque at the Etxepare Basque Institute; Maite Goñi Eizmendi, digital transformation advisor; writer and teacher Joseba Sarrionandia Uribelarrea; and Xabier Paya, bertsolari and translator. You can read the full programme online.

The goal of the Etxepare Basque Institute is to promote and disseminate the Basque language and culture abroad. It currently oversees 35 lectureships and language assistant programmes in universities outside the Basque Country, in which 28 Basque language and culture teachers carry out their work. The Institute has also created nine Chair programmes in nine universities.