The Basque Struggle Will Continue

CELTIC LEAGUE PRESS INFORMATION

BASQUES SHOW THAT 'TO CONTINUE' THE STRUGGLE REQUIRES YOUTH

Moves towards greater self-determination, following the development of parliaments and assemblies in Wales and Scotland and the peace process in Ireland, have been complemented in recent years by a resurgence in institutional support for the culture and languages of the Celtic countries.

Even in the smaller Celtic countries, Kernow and Mannin, where the language and culture had been almost extinguished the transformation has been rapid and continues to gather pace. Educational opportunities for young people which provide an insight for them into their culture in some instances through the medium of their language are now more readily available.

On the political front however the involvement of young people in the National struggle is not pronounced. There are notable exceptions. In Ireland the republican movements have always attempted to foster strong youth involvement and in Wales a policy of activism in relation to language promotion has encouraged the participation of young people particularly in campaigning language groups.

Overall however as one surveys the political scene across our six Celtic countries it is clear that young people are as detached from Nationalist politics as they are from politics generally.

There is however one corner of Europe where the National independence movement has generated a parallel youth movement which has effectively mobilised the support of young people through a mix of radical politics and popular culture. Indeed that youth movement has become so effective that it now faces sanctions as draconian as in mainstream Nationalist politics.

I refer to the Basque country where the clear advantage of mobilising young people to support the national struggle has been achieved by adopting a youth-centred approach.

'Jarrai' (To Continue) one of the larger Basque youth organisations is not simply an adjunct to National independence parties such as the now outlawed Batasuna it is a "much broader and diverse youth culture, involving networks of illegal radio stations, youth houses, rock bands, campaign groups, language groups and students".

Sinn Fein Councillor (youthful) Eoin Ó Broin has just published a major work on the Basque youth movement, "Matxinada - Basque Nationalism & Radical Basque Youth Movements". This should be required reading for all those currently active in National movements in the Celtic countries.

What the Basques have succeeded in doing could provide an insight to mobilising a new generation of young people to support political and cultural independence for the Celtic countries.

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