Homage to Walter Luyten

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Homage to Flemish politician Walter Luyten in Basque Country

04/13/2008

Since he was young he worked for the revival of nationalism in his country. He was closely linked to the Basque Country. In 1973, he was arrested in the "Aberri Eguna" in Gernika for weaving the Basque flag "ikurriña".

A homage will be paid to the deceased Flemish politician Walter Luyten today, in the northern Basque Country’s town of Sokoa (Lapurdi). Mass will be offered at 16:00 and afterwards a simple homage will be paid to Luyten, who died last January 27th at the age of 73.

He was a historian and since he was young he was a very important referent in the revival of nationalism in Flanders. He created Volksunie (People's Union, VU) and was an expert in the history and culture of his country.

His first direct contact with the Basque Country was in 1968. Later on, in 1973, Spanish Civil Guard arrested him together with deputy Willy Kuipers, in the "Aberri Eguna" (National Day of the Basque Poeples) in Gernika, for waving the Basque flag "ikurriña".

There was a great bond of friendship between him and both Telésforo Monzón and Piarres Larzabal. He organized for many years a group called "Flandriatik Ikastolentzat" supporting northern Basque countries' "ikastolas" (Basque schools), taking Flemish young children to northern Basque Country.

In 2007 he was in the Aberri Eguna in Gernika again.

His closest friends will be the ones who will take part in the homage today.

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