Members of the Euskal Etxeak join university lecturers and language assistants to read Basque classics

On June 5, the Arriaga Theatre in Bilbao will host the 18th annual Reading of Basque Classics. This special literary event supports the Basque language and will once again include participation from international guests. A total of 25 Euskal Etxeak (Basque centres) and 5 Euskara Munduan partner universities, along with lecturers and language assistants supported by the Etxepare Basque Institute, will take part in this event designed to pay tribute to classic Basque literature.
 
Every year, the Bilbo Zaharra euskaltegi (Basque language school) organises a continuous reading of classics, bringing together hundreds of readers at the Arriaga Theatre. Each participant reads an excerpt from a book written in Basque, and the readings go on nonstop from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. This year´s chosen book is Ipui Onac by Bizenta Mogel, selected to commemorate the first woman to publish a book in Euskara. 

Follow the event live: EITB / YouTube / GUAU

The Etxepare Basque Institute’s programmes in support of language assistants at partner universities and Basque communities working to promote the Basque language and literature around the world will read a passage from this book. This selection will symbolize the global reach of the Basque language. 
 
Through its lectureship and Euskara Munduan programmes, the Etxepare Basque Institute brings together students, teachers and ‘Basqueophiles’ from around the world, strengthening the academic and community presence of the Basque language.
 
This year, Etxepare representatives taking part in the reading will be Irene Larraza, director of the Etxepare Basque Institute, and Kinku Zinkunegi, head of Etxepare´s Euskara Munduan project. Their participation shows the organisation’s strong ongoing commitment to promoting the Basque language.

Participantes 

Lecturers and language assistants

Europe: 

• University of Sorbona (lecturer Teresa Larruzea)
• University of Venecia and Bolonia (lecturer Iñaki Alfaro) 
• University of Varsovia (students) 
• Corke University (lecturer Leire Erviti) 

America: 

• University of La Plata (students) 

Euskal Etxeak (Basque centres) 

Europe: 

• Euskal Etxea – Centre Cultural Barcelona 
• Euskal Etxea – Hogar Vasco de Madrid 
• Centro Vasco “Gure Txoko”. Valladolid 
• Centro Vasco Navarro “Laurak Bat” de Valencia 
• Euskal Etxea “Artea”. Palma de Mallorca 
• Pariseko Eskual Etxea 
• Bordeleko Eskual Etxea “Eskualdunen Biltzarra” 
• Bruselako Euskal Etxea 
• Berlineko Gernika Deutsch-Baskischer Kulturvererein EV 
• London Basque Society 

America: 

• NABO (North American Basque Organizations, INC.) 
• FEVA (Federación de Entidades Vasco Argentinas) 
• FIVU (Federación de Instituciones Vascas de Uruguay) 
• Euskaldunak, Association des Basques du Quebec 
• Centro Vasco – Euskal Etxea Asociación Civil de México 
• Colegio Euskal Echea. Buenos Aires 
• Euzko Etxea – Casa Vasca de Chile 
• Colectividad Vasca de Chile 
• Eusko Etxea – Casa Vasca de Valparaiso (Txile) 
• Euzkal Etxea – Casa Vasca. Lima 
• Centro Cultural Vasco Peruano de Trujillo 
• Fundación Centro de la Cultura Vasca “Gure Mendietakoak” (Caldas – Kolonbia) 
• Eusko Brasildar Etxea 

Asia: 

• Tokyoko Euskal Etxea 

Oceania: 

• Gure Txoko Basque Club Inc. (Sidney)” 

Reading of classics dawn to dusk

This activity is organised by the Bilbo Zaharra euskaltegia with two main goals: to make literature more accessible to the public and to promote and boost the prestige of Basque culture among citizens. It also aims to recognise the efforts of Basque students in learning Euskara.