Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Welsh and Basque
This article published by Welsh OnLine tells us about how the Basque initiatives to rescue and strengthen Euskara (the Basque language) are an inspiration to other peoples defending their own languages, in this case, Welsh.
Here you have it:
Now, it seems like the Western mail correspondent misses the whole point of the article by entitling his/her article "Spanish example".... is like if I would write an article about the defense of Welsh culture to go on and title it "English culture". This tells you just how deep the disinformation campaign set in place by Madrid against the Basques runs.
Here you have it:
Spanish example holds the key to the future of Welsh
Nov 19 2008 by Our Correspondent, Western Mail
Wales must learn lessons from the Basque country when it comes to ensuring the survival of Welsh, argues Catrin Dafydd of language campaign group Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg
THERE is no doubt that the next few months will have a far-reaching effect on the future of the Welsh language. Of course, there is no use discussing the Welsh language as a stand-alone figure in the corner of the pub. When we talk about languages, we talk about people and communities.
The One Wales Assembly Government is about to publish a draft Legislative Competency Order (LCO) that will show us possible legislative scenarios Welsh could face over the coming years.
And while legislation alone cannot change the situation, it can help ensure the future of a minority language in a globalised world.
A delegation from Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg recently visited the Basque country to see what people there are doing to keep their language alive.
Of all minority languages, the Basque language – or Euskara – has most in common with Welsh. There are about 600,000 Euskara-speakers in a country with a population of about three million.
From the moment you land in Bilbao, you notice a stark linguistic contrast to our own situation, with visual examples of stronger language legislation – bilingual signs are the norm and the co-operative supermarket chain Eroski provides own-brand packaging with instructions in up to five languages.
You are quickly made aware of the fact that in Euskadi – the autonomous community of the Basque country – citizens have a legal right to use the language in the public and (more recently) private and voluntary sectors. Because of this, companies such as EMUN have been set up to assist all kinds of private companies as they develop effective responses to language rights.
Companies are awarded certificates to show customers that staff are able to provide services in Euskara.
Moreover, the Observatory of Linguistic Rights provides a free phone service allowing people to log complaints when these rights are infringed. The complaints are then catalogued and presented to the government.
Lawyers working on behalf of Euskara Kultur Eskargoa are also responsible for representing Basque-speakers in courts of law. A system of defending peoples’ linguistic rights is an alien concept for us in Wales – currently we can only use Welsh in the courts under fairly limited circumstances.
Kontseilua is an umbrella group of 45 societies and institutions which campaign on linguistic matters. Most of these groups are indirectly funded by public money, yet they are happy to challenge and criticise government policy where necessary in order to promote the normalisation of the Basque language.
The government acts as a champion, not only passing legislation, but also taking responsibility to ensure it is implemented. There is a dialogue between institutions and government, in a country where the fact that independent bodies are ready to offer a critique of the linguistic legislative system is welcomed.
Back in Wales, we seem to be lagging behind other European nations in terms of language legislation. It is high time we redressed the balance between voluntary efforts to promote Welsh and the need for statutory guidance. The length and breadth of the LCO will show us just what the One Wales Government has in store. Will it create the necessary legislative conditions for Welsh language to thrive or will its growth be stunted once more?
The people of Wales should scrutinise the LCO for three things: that the Order allows Welsh to be recognised as an official language; that a commissioner is established to defend linguistic rights; and, most importantly, that it grants specific rights for anyone who chooses to use Welsh on a daily basis at work, at home, at school, at the shops or wherever.
Legislation isn’t a quick fix but positive changes can result. All eyes are on the One Wales Government as it unveils its vision for the Welsh language. Of course, we all have a role to play in ensuring Welsh is used in our communities. But for now, we should examine the exact details of the One Wales Government’s vision for a truly bilingual Wales.
Catrin Dafydd heads Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg’s campaign for a new Welsh Language Act
Now, it seems like the Western mail correspondent misses the whole point of the article by entitling his/her article "Spanish example".... is like if I would write an article about the defense of Welsh culture to go on and title it "English culture". This tells you just how deep the disinformation campaign set in place by Madrid against the Basques runs.
.... ... .
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
Call for Resolution of Basque Conflict
Good news come to us via An Phoblacht, a group of high profile individuals have call upon the European Union to take a more active approach towards the resolution of the political conflict between the Basque Country on one side and France and Spain on the other side.
Here you have the info:
Here you have the info:
De Brún calls for EU role in resolution of Basque conflict
Bairbre de Brún joined prominent international speakers in calling on the European Union to encourage a peace process in the Basque Country.
The call was made at a conference on Conflict Resolution in the EU which was addressed by Bairbre de Brún MEP, prominent South African human rights lawyer Brian Currin and former Secretary General of Interpol Raymond Kendall. Currin and Kendall are both members of the International Initiative for Peace and Dialogue in the Basque Country. The conference was attended by MEPs, staff and parliamentary assistants from all the main political groups in the European Parliament.
Speaking at the Conference de Brún said:
“As the US, the EU and others helped the Irish Peace Process, so too there is an important role for the international community in encouraging a peace process in the Basque country. In the first instance the European Union should encourage inclusive political dialogue in the Basque Country, recognising that a security response to conflict is not sufficient to ensure lasting peace.
“The EU has contributed and continues to contribute to the success story of the Irish Peace Process. We in Ireland can now also give something back through a proposed Europe-wide network of regions and cities that are coming out of conflict or that are living with conflict and exclusion, and through the possibility of establishing in the North of Ireland an EU Centre for Conflict Resolution.”
The Conference on Conflict Resolution in the EU was organised by Basque Friendship: MEPs support group for a peace process in the Basque Country, of which Bairbre de Brún is a member.
.... ... .
The Importance of a Name
The government of the Basque Autonomous Community has decided to give a step backwards in the struggle by the Basque sports' teams to compete for the Basque Country. But the Basque football players are not buying it, this note published by the International Herald Tribune addresses the issue:
Actually, the name that the players want is Euskal Herria, not Euskadi Herria. The thing is, the name Euskadi has been increasingly associated with only the three provinces that conform the Basque Autonomous Community, a political entity that is ruled by the Basque Nationalist Party, a political party that has been veering off the path to independence for the Basque Country to comply by the goal of its leadership to obtain financial profits from the current political status with Spain. Euskal Herria on the other hand is a term that encompasses the seven historic Basque provinces, this is why the players prefer it over the other one, because their will is to participate in the broader project of conforming a Basque nation, recognized by the international community.
As its obvious, the Basque football players have much more integrity and dignity that the Basque politicians that rule the destiny of the Basque Nationalist Party.
Basque players may boycott Iran friendly over name
The Associated Press
Published: November 13, 2008
BILBAO, Spain: Basque Country players may boycott a football friendly against Iran next month because of a dispute over the team's name.
One hundred and sixty-five current and former Basque players said in a statement on Thursday that they will not be available for the Dec. 23 match if the Basque football federation returns to calling the team Euskadi instead of Euskadi Herria.
The federation changed the name to Euskadi Herria last July at the urging of the players, who felt it was a better overall reference to the players' origins.
Basque County had been referred to as Euskadi since 1990.
Twenty-seven players from Basque club Athletic Bilbao and others from a variety of clubs ranging from Real Sociedad to Panathinaikos signed the letter.
Like other Spanish regions, players native to the Basque Country occasionally gather to compete in friendlies against international teams but aren't permitted to play in official competitions.
Actually, the name that the players want is Euskal Herria, not Euskadi Herria. The thing is, the name Euskadi has been increasingly associated with only the three provinces that conform the Basque Autonomous Community, a political entity that is ruled by the Basque Nationalist Party, a political party that has been veering off the path to independence for the Basque Country to comply by the goal of its leadership to obtain financial profits from the current political status with Spain. Euskal Herria on the other hand is a term that encompasses the seven historic Basque provinces, this is why the players prefer it over the other one, because their will is to participate in the broader project of conforming a Basque nation, recognized by the international community.
As its obvious, the Basque football players have much more integrity and dignity that the Basque politicians that rule the destiny of the Basque Nationalist Party.
.... ... .
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Real Union's Victory
Spaniards must be quite upset right about now, but why?
Well, a humble Basque football team just expelled the mighty Real Madrid from a football tournament that honors Franco's appointed ruler Juan Carlos Borbon (whom some people call king for some obscure reason).
Back in October when Irun based Real Union defeated Real Madrid in their home field this was the reaction:
Noticed? Not a single mention that Real Union is a Basque team, which really matters since Real Madrid represents the Spanish most backwards ultra-nationalism.
Here you have a bit of history about Real Union provided by Goal.com:
So, you can imagine the general mood when Real Union went to Madrid to oust Spain's most representative team:
In Latin America all of the sports channels haven been keeping this result from the public, as if all Latin Americans were fans of Real Madrid. My bet is because they would have to report that Real Union is a Basque team, and the media is being paid by the Spanish political class to creat a smoke curtain around anything and everything Basque. This is why I leave you with this picture of Real Union's captain celebrating their victory at the Bernabeu Stadium (home to some of the must racist and violent fans in Europe) with his armband showing the Ikurriña (Basque flag):
Well, a humble Basque football team just expelled the mighty Real Madrid from a football tournament that honors Franco's appointed ruler Juan Carlos Borbon (whom some people call king for some obscure reason).
Back in October when Irun based Real Union defeated Real Madrid in their home field this was the reaction:
Madrid loses 3-2 to third-division Real Union in Copa del Rey
Oct 30, 2008
IRUN, Spain — Third-division Real Union upset Real Madrid 3-2 in the Copa del Rey on Thursday, continuing the Spanish league champion's poor record in the knockout competition it hasn't won since 1993.
Juan Dominguez scored twice and Inaki Goikoetxea netted the winner for Real Union, while Gonzalo Higuain and Javier Saviola replied in the fourth round first-leg match for Madrid, which will need a victory to progress from the return leg at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Nov. 12.
Madrid was the fourth top-flight team to suffer an upset in this week's Copa del Rey games. On Wednesday, Villarreal was humiliated 5-0 at third-division Polideportivo Ejido, Racing Santander went down 2-1 at second-division Murcia, while Sevilla lost 1-0 at third-division Ponferradina.
There was a scare in the 14th minute when Madrid's Spain midfielder Ruben De La Red fell as he walked away from the Real Union penalty area. De La Red was carried off on a stretcher after being treated for two minutes. Reports said De La Red fainted but quickly recovered consciousness at Real Union's Gal Stadium. The 23-year-old player was taken to hospital as a precaution but would reportedly be allowed to travel back to Madrid with his teammates.
Madrid coach Bernd Schuster fielded an understrength team, with goalkeeper Iker Casillas, captain Raul Gonzalez, striker Ruud van Nistelrooy among those rested. Real Union, which won the competition in 1924, stunned the league champions in the second minute when Dominguez forced his way past Madrid right back Michel Salgado and sidefooted his shot past goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek.
Madrid took eight minutes to tie the score, Higuain capitalizing on a defence-splitting pass from captain Jose Maria "Guti" Gutierrez to sidefoot home. The minnows regained the lead in the 21st after Madrid defender Christoph Metzelder lost possession. Joseba Aguirre crossed from the right and Dominguez ran in to power a header past Dudek.
Saviola, who had wasted a clear chance moments earlier, made amends by equalizing in the 53rd minute with a curling, rising shot after Real Union failed to deal with a corner. However, Real Union again responded and Goikoetxea turned home Felix Quero's cross from the right in the 63rd for his team's winning goal.
Noticed? Not a single mention that Real Union is a Basque team, which really matters since Real Madrid represents the Spanish most backwards ultra-nationalism.
Here you have a bit of history about Real Union provided by Goal.com:
Early Pioneers
Real Unión de Irún were one of the founding members of the inaugural Primera Liga competition back in 1928. They only spent four seasons in the top flight before being relegated and subsequently disappearing off the map of Spanish football, but they enjoyed some glory years while it lasted.
They won the Copa del Rey three times in the early days, two of which came by beating their very opponent on Thursday, Real Madrid, first in 1918 and then again in 1924. That was some 90 years ago. Nowadays, the club’s main focus is to slowly crawl back up the divisions and they appear to be on the right track at this stage of the campaign.
Currently leading the Group I Segunda B (third tier) standings after ten rounds, the Basque outfit coached by Iñaki Alonso have only lost once in all competitions so far this season and they have won their last four games in a row. Unión might not have the same kind of rivalry and animosity as an Athletic Bilbao or a Real Sociedad would have towards Los Blancos, but Bernd Schuster’s men can still expect a frosty reception.
So, you can imagine the general mood when Real Union went to Madrid to oust Spain's most representative team:
Madrid humbled by battling Union
A Raul hat-trick was not enough to save Real Madrid from an embarrassing Copa del Rey exit on their own turf against Segunda B side Real Union. Madrid lost the opening leg 3-2 in Irun on October 30, and although they again struggled against a team who plays in the same league as their reserve side, they looked to be going through when Raul completed his treble with five minutes left to give them a 6-5 aggregate lead.
However, there was still time for one last twist in a entertaining tie as Arangoa Eneko Romo scored in injury time to pull the score back to 4-3 and send Real Union through to the last 16 on away goals. Bernd Schuster's players had spoken about the importance of the competition in the lead up to the game and the coach included some of his key men with Fabio Cannavaro, Wesley Sneijder, Rafael Van der Vaart and Raul all handed starting roles.
Despite that it was the home side who went behind after 14 minutes when Paul Abasolo was on target. Raul made sure Madrid went into the break on level terms with his first goal after 35 minutes but the hosts were again behind four minutes after the break thanks to an Asier Salcedo strike.
Raul was again the man to find an equaliser, a minute later, and when Alberto Bueno netted after 69 minutes the Primera Liga champions finally looked to be getting a grip on their rivals. Madrid's comeback looked to have been completed when Raul added his third of the night with just five minutes left but Eneko Romo would ensure a famous night for Real Union when he netted in injury time.
In Latin America all of the sports channels haven been keeping this result from the public, as if all Latin Americans were fans of Real Madrid. My bet is because they would have to report that Real Union is a Basque team, and the media is being paid by the Spanish political class to creat a smoke curtain around anything and everything Basque. This is why I leave you with this picture of Real Union's captain celebrating their victory at the Bernabeu Stadium (home to some of the must racist and violent fans in Europe) with his armband showing the Ikurriña (Basque flag):
.... ... .
Antonio Barberena in Orlando
This note was published at the Orlando Sentinel:
Antonio Barberena in concert
Concert in the gardens of the Maitland Art Center.The Maitland Art Center (MAC) and the Consulate of Mexico in Orlando are proud to announce the special presentation and concert of the classic accordionist, Antonio Barberena. The free concert is scheduled for Sunday, November 16 at 6 pm in the Mayan Courtyard.
Antonio Barberena was born in Mexico City in 1962. He started playing the accordion piano system at the age of 11 years in a lyric way; at 15 he started with formal classes with the Italian teacher Sergio Rizzardi, changing to chromatic or botton system. He has performed with the Phylarmonic Orchestra of the UNAM, the Opera Orchestra of Bellas Artes and as a soloist with the Classical Orchestra of Mexico. To date, he has been presented in the main concert halls of the city of Mexico and in most of the main theaters of Mexico.
His music has been played on TV and on the radio in the capital city. During his career he has played the world premiere of several works for accordion in Mexico. In 2004 he was prized by the Mexican Basque Society with the title “Number One Member” in recognition for playing Basque music in Mexico.
Since 2003, he has performed contemporary music together with the Marimba player Javier Nandayapa and Mirna Yam in percussion. Today he is working in the third volume of classical music in accordion and a DVD of a life concert in the Basílica de Guadalupe. He is visiting Orlando as a featured guest of the Florida Accordion Association..... ... .
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