The William A. Douglass Chair is inaugurated in Masachusetts

The William A. Douglass Chair in Basque Cultural Studies, created this year by the Etxepare Basque Institute at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, was inaugurated on 26 September with a relevant academic program.

In the memorable inaugural conference of the Chair that bears his name, William Douglass was accompanies by his family and to the heads of the university, including the Provost. In the event, Mari Jose Olaziregi, responsible for the universities area at the Etxepare Basque Institute, recalled the biography of Douglass and its many facets: anthropologist, writer, hunter, fisherman ... She highlighted the prestige he enjoys in Euskal Herria and the recognitions he  has achieved there. And she also stressed the importance of the contributions that this chair will make in the future.

That same day the university also hosted the international symposium "William Douglass, Basque Studies and the Anthopology of Europe", with the participation of experts Caroline Brettell, Susan Carol Rogers, Sharon Roseman and Joseba Zulaika.

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The William A. Douglass Chair in Basque Cultural Studies, created this year by the Etxepare Basque Institute at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, was inaugurated on 26 September with a relevant academic program.

In the memorable inaugural conference of the Chair that bears his name, William Douglass was accompanies by his family and to the heads of the university, including the Provost. In the event, Mari Jose Olaziregi, responsible for the universities area at the Etxepare Basque Institute, recalled the biography of Douglass and its many facets: anthropologist, writer, hunter, fisherman ... She highlighted the prestige he enjoys in Euskal Herria and the recognitions he  has achieved there. And she also stressed the importance of the contributions that this chair will make in the future.

That same day the university also hosted the international symposium "William Douglass, Basque Studies and the Anthopology of Europe", with the participation of experts Caroline Brettell, Susan Carol Rogers, Sharon Roseman and Joseba Zulaika. The specificity of the work of Douglass, his contributions on migration and mobility or the work done in favor of visibility and institutionalization of Basque studies were some of the issues they analyzed.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst has done a great job in the field of anthropological and European studies. This new chair will be dedicated to promoting Basque Anthropology studies, and will organize an annual conference and a seminar on this subject. In addition, Jackie Urla, Professor of the Department of Anthropology, will teach "Culture and Heritage in Europe", which will deal with special attention the history of the Basques.