This international conference is co-organised by the Etxepare Basque Institute and the University of Edinburgh, within the framework of 2019 Scotland Goes Basque programme. Its aims are to exchange knowledge and promote collaboration between academics and professionals working on minority-language media. The conference will be in English.

This year, the Annual Manuel Irujo Lecture, organized by the University of Liverpool, will focus on the life of this seafarer born in Bilbao in 1903. On March 20, Joaquín de Eguia’s daughter, Miren de Eguia, will present this lecture titled ´From Bilbao to Liverpool: A Basque is captain´s journey through times of peace, conflict and exile´.

The MIN Awards ceremony (Spanish Independent Music Awards) was held last night at the Teatro Circo Price hall in Madrid. This time, the Etxepare Award for the Best Album in Basque went to Ruper Ordorika with his latest album Bakarka. The biggest winner of the evening was the Madrid-based band Morgan.

As we announced in January, Scotland will be one of the main focuses for the Etxepare Basque Institute’s activity this year. But why Scotland?

Basque cinema will once again have a space in Cataluña. The Basque Centre in Barcelona, with support from the Etxepare Basque Institute and the Azkue Foundation, has organised the 14^th edition of the Basque film festival ZinemaldiaCat. Held this year from March 14^th to 17^th, the event will take place at the Cinemes Girona theatres, and will include by talks by directors, films of all kinds, and award presentations, among other surprises.

A book originally published in a Basque/Spanish bilingual edition (Euskal Zinema: Zinemagileen Hiru Belaunaldi/Cine Vasco: Tres Generaciones de Cineastas) was presented today in Baiona under its French title Cinéma basque: trois générations de cinéastes. The authors examine the trajectory of Basque filmmaking over three generations. The book was published with support from the Etxepare Basque Institute, the Basque Cultural Institute (EKE) and the Basque Film Archive.

In the context of the ARCO International Contemporary Art Fair held in Madrid from February 27^th to March 3^rd, the Reina Sofia Museum, leader among the Spanish Contemporary art galleries, acquired artworks by three Basque artists: June Crespo, Azucena Vieites and Nestor Basterretxea.

One of the aims of the Etxepare Basque Institute is to bring Basque literature to a wider audience. In order to do so, it is essential to translate texts into other languages. Etxepare contributes to this goal by providing grants for the translation of literature written in Basque or by authors who are permanent residents in the Basque Autonomous Community.

Writers Iban Zaldua and James Robertson will participate in the Chekhov vs Shakespeare initiative, within the 2019 Scotland Goes Basque program, promoted by the Etxepare Basque Institute. From February to July, they will exchange twelve letters, writing six each; in them they will reflect on Europe, identity, language and literature, and the exchange will allow to know the point of view of the authors on these subjects.

The five finalists in each category of the Spanish Independent Music Awards (MIN) were announced today. The winners will be announced at the award ceremony on March 13^th. Broken Brothers Brass Band, Izaki Gardenak, Gatibu, Revolta Permanent and Ruper Ordorika are in the running for the Etxepare Award for the Best Album in Basque.