Dating From Iruña-Veleia Confirmed

Some important news from the Iruña-Veleia archaeological site have been published at EITb:

Analysis confirms dating of Iruña-Veleia Basque inscriptions

Analysis carried out by the research team confirms the unearthed inscriptions in the Basque language date from the third century AD.

Research carried out in several specialised labs confirmed Friday the authenticity of the inscriptions in Basque language unearthed at a Roman site near the Basque town of Vitoria-Gasteiz some months ago. According to this research work, the inscriptions in the Basque language date from the third century.

Basque linguists hailed the discovery at the time as extraordinarily important. Basque, or euskera to its speakers, is considered to be one of the oldest languages in Europe and scholars have long wondered whether it is derived from African, Caucasian or Etruscan tongues, or if it developed in isolation.

Until now, a text written by a monk in both Castillian Spanish and Basque had been the oldest written example of the language, dating from the year 1040. The new inscriptions, found at the Roman site of Iruña-Veleia, included the names of colours, verbs and references to God, Christianity and the Holy Family etched into bricks, bones and pieces of glass.

Among the words inscribed were the colours "urdin" (blue), "zuri" (white) and "gorri" (red), verbs "edan" (drink) "ian" (eat) and "lo" (sleep), the excavation team said.

Another piece read "Iesus, Ioshse ata ta Miriam ama" (Jesus, the father Joseph and the mother Mary) while another had the greeting "Geure ata zutan" (May the Father be with you). Archaeologists also found pictures depicting the life of Jesus, including what could be a Last Supper.

.... ... .

Durangos' Book Fair Dedicated to Travels

Time to talk about cultural topics, this note comes to us thanks to EITb:

Travels, central theme in Basque Book and Record Fair of Durango

The organisers of the 41st edition of the fair said that there will be 221 participants in 317 stands, presenting 360 new works. It will be held from December 6 to 10.

The Basque Book and Record Fair of Durango, presented on Wednesday in Bilbao, will be held from December 6 to 10. This edition will pay special attention to travelling, and there will be many activities linked to the issue, among them round tables, interviews, film releases and picture shows.

As organisers explained, there will be 221 participants in 317 stands, presenting 360 new works. Writer Kirmen Uribe will deliver the inauguration speech.

Furthermore, Radio Euskadi's travelling programme head Roge Blasco will be interviewed and the film El vasco de la carretilla will be released on the inauguration day.

There will also be music in this fair. Karidadeko Benta and Pata Negra will offer an inter-cultural concert, and there will also be a photo show entitled "Paraleleo 21." The Web site of the fair will give some room for chatting with Eneko Etxebarrieta and Miyuki Okabe, touring around the world by tandem.

Argizaiola Award and commercial

In turn, the Argizaiola Award of the Basque Book and Record Fair of Durango will be for the magazine Jakin on its 50th anniversary. The magazine has 2,300 subscribers and around 6,000 readers, and has always searched to merge Basque language and culture.

Miriam Peña, from Durango, designed the poster to announce this edition, and for the first time, a TV commercial will announce the fair. Several well-known figures appear in the ad inviting people to visit and enjoy the Basque Book and Record Fair of Durango.

.... ... .

The Right to Decide

The Basque news outlet EITb has published the results of a survey that indicates a high percentage of Basques would like to exercise their right to decide the future of their nation, here you have it:

88% of the Basques believe they have the right to decide

Half of the Basques think that the Basque Country is a nation. The 45% will back the country's independence in a referendum. The data is included in a survey by Gizaker for Basque radio station radio Euskadi.

The survey that was carried out in October discloses that eight out of ten Basques believe that they have "the right to decide their future", a majority opinion in all the three territories of the autonomous region. Moreover, the 66% considers that the future should be "just a decision of the Basques", that's to say, that future should exclusively be defined by the Basques. Just two out of ten people think that future should be defined "among Basques and Spaniards".

In view of the possibility to carry out a referendum on independence, the 45% of those polled would support the matter while 25% would vote against it. The final result would be then in the hands of the undecided voters, since the 30% have not got clear their position or they just would not vote.

It is outstanding that half of the population (52%) considers the Basque Country to be a nation, being the figures for this topic in Navarre a 32% and in Iparralde (Northern Basque Country in the French State) a 34%.

The data regarding the feeling of belonging to the Basque Country is also remarkable. All citizens think that their province belongs to the Basque Country. According to the survey, 62% of the Basques state that there is no shadow of doubt that "Navarre is part of the Basque Country", although in Navarre this feeling is lower. A 49% of the Navarrans consider that Navarre is not part of the whole. The feeling of belonging is also greater in Iparralde.

Gizaker carried out the over-the-phone survey to 1,000 citizens from the autonomous region, Navarre and Iparralde between 18th and 25th October.

Let us remember now that as co-signers of the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights, both France and Spain must recognize the right of the Basque nation to decide its future.

.... ... .

Fear of Peace Process Collapse

Zapatero and Borbon think that the Basque people is not aware of their efforts to derail the Peace Process, well, according to the result of this survey published at EITb the Basques are painfully aware that Madrid is not up to the task and prefers violence and confrontation over peaceful negotiation and resolution.

Here you have it:

Half of Basque society afraid of cease-fire collapse

A 93 percent of Basques are in favour of the process, but are cautious about its course. Half of them think it's advancing very little and are afraid it could collapse, according to a survey by Gizaker for Radio Euskadi.

Basque citizens are overtly in favour of the peace process. Nine out of ten citizens in the Basque Country are in favour of the process, a stance common to all stratums, according to a survey carried out by Gizaker for the public station Radio Euskadi.

Navarre is the province in which the support is lowest with an 89 percent. Those who don't support it say it's not fair, leads nowhere or means surrender. Among those who back the process, the 36 percent think that the way to advance is dialogue, although prisoner's rapprochement and amnesty are considered good measures as well.

Most of those polled –nine out of ten- are in favour of talks between the Spanish Government and the armed band ETA to put an end to violence and a multiparty table to search the end of the political conflict.

The process is not advancing

Despite the support to the peace process and the results, there is some kind of confusion among citizens with regard to its course. Over half citizens in the Basque Country believe that there has been little or no progress since the ceasefire was declared.

Most people don't know why there is no progress, but those who voiced their opinion said the Spanish Government is mainly responsible for it. Curiously, those who think there has been some progress (41.8 percent) think that it was thanks to the steps taken by Zapatero's Government as well as ETA.

Most of them –seven out of ten- think that conservative PP and UPN are the only parties that don't want the process to prove fruitful.

Fear of truce collapse

Over half Basques –six out of ten- consider that ETA could put an end to the truce and could attack people. There is not a clear idea on when definitive peace could be reached. Half citizens assure they don't know, and a 35 percent think maybe in less than five years.

Citizens don't have the feeling that their personal life quality will change if ETA disappears.

The survey was carried out by Gizaker with a sample of 1,000 individuals living in the Basque Autonomous Region, from October 18 to 25.

.... ... .

If You Visit Gazteiz

Just in case your wandering takes you to Gazteiz, here you have some advice from EITb about where to get the best pintxos in town:

Pintxos in Vitoria-Gazteiz

Pintxos are real miniature culinary masterpieces. In numerous Basque towns there are certain areas with a concentration of taverns and bars which specialise in the preparation of these gastronomic jewels.

Eating pintxos is usually accompanied by "poteo" or bar hopping, which consists of drinking wine, cider or zuritos (small glasses of beer) while standing in the company of friends and moving from one establishment to the next.

Casco Viejo

The cobbled streets of Vitoria's Old Town are not only the nightlife scenery for the young. During the day, at around midday, many of its bars offer dozens of miniature specilities on the counters, which are ideal to accompany the Rioja wine, which is a must here to enjoy what Alava has to offer. Vitoria's pintxos are prepared with products from the land, meats and vegetables. In particular, they use cold cured meats, cheese and peppers, which are the real kings of Vitoria's bars. Amongst the bars that best look after this gastronomic offer we must mention, Trafalgar, Bazter or Ondarribi.

Town center

The city's shopping and walking area. The streets invite you to walk peacefully, and for this, there is nothing better than stopping at the bars, such as El Rincón de Luis Mari in the calle Rioja with its excellent bar; the banderillas at Saburdi (Dato, 32); the variety of cold and hot pintxos at Casa Felipe (Fueros, 28); traineras, salmon rolls and pintxos of mushroom with ham and Dublin Bay prawns at El Dólar (Florida, 26) and gildas, omelettes or slices of bonito with mayonnaise and piquant red peppers at El Mesón (Ortiz de Zárate, 5).

Zona Nueva

The area surrounding Gasteiz Avenue is a business and office area. Mid morning, it is very common to see the office workers in the bars to have a wine and a pintxo before going back to work. They meet at places like Los Guaranís, popular for its octopus and calamari; Altair, specialising in bread rolls with fillings, or Alboka, popular for its hot snacks.

.... ... .

Peace Process and Self-Determination

While Zapatero continues to stall the Peace Process, allowing authoritarian individuals like Baltasar Garzon to step up the repressive measures, people in the Basque Country take to the streets to show their support for the self-determination of their land. This note comes to us via EITb:

Thousands people claim self-determination in Bilbao

Police presence has been notable as judge Garzon ordered Home Department not to allow any symbol related to leftist nationalist organization Askatasuna.

Thousands people rallied in the protest called by leftist nationalists in Bilbao. The slogan was “Basque Country, self-determination”. The demonstration began at around 5 p.m. and marched surrounded by important police presence.

Banned leftist nationalist party Batasuna members: Arnaldo Otegi, Rufino Etxeberria, and Pernando Barrena, and trade union LAB secretary, Rafa Diez Usabiaga, were some people heading the protest.

In the beginning of the rally, several people unfolded a placard in a bridge. It said “Release De Juana”, referring to Basque armeg group ETA prisoner. He restarted the hunger strike after being sentenced to twelve years and seven months imprisonment for writing two opinion articles.

When the demonstration was about to begin, an Ertzaintza responsible informed the people calling the rally of conditions in which the protest had to be carried out.

.... ... .

Batasuna's Commitment

Madrid (through both the PSOE and the PP) is trying to derail the Peace Process, the PNV is out of ideas, but there is those who stick to their commitment with the Basque people. This note at EITb talks about it:

Otegi: "We commit ourselves to work until the end" of process

Spokesman of banned Batasuna has stressed that armed group ETA has shown reliable evidence of being willing to "find a solution to the conflict".

Spokesman of Basque Nationalist Batasuna Arnaldo Otegi stated on Friday that the Leftists "commit ourselves to work till the end" of the peace process and the political normalisation in the Basque Country.

In an interview on Basque public TV ETB, Otegi explained that his yesterday's statements were "categorical" in order to "warn citizens of the state of the situation". He also noted that it is already five months that the process is blocked due to the lack of any improvement in the creation of the negotiating table, as well as to the persecution the Basque Nationalists are undergoing. He considered that the 12-and a-half-year sentence to Iñaki De Juan Chaos is "the last straw that broke the camels' back".

"Despite all of this, we will carry on working. Channels are still open", he said. "To stabilise the peace process, it is necessary an agreement among Basque parties on the "methods and the political agenda for the multilateral dialogue".

Otegi maintained that ETA "has not broken anything" and has given "reliable evidence" of being willing to "look for a democratic solution to the conflict".

.... ... .

Basque Parliament and Self-Determination

This note comes to us thanks to EITb:

PP and PSE voted against

Basque parliament adopts resolution on self-determination

11/03/2006

The motion introduced by Nationalist EA and Communist EB has been supported by all parliament groups, except for Conservative PP and Socialist PSE. The Basque Chamber adopted a similar resolution in 2002.

The Basque parliament has adopted on Friday by the votes of Nationalist PNV, Nationalist EA, Communist EB, Leftist Aralar and the Communist Party of the Basque Land EHAK an initiative that supports the right of the Basque society to decide its future. Conservative PP and Socialist PSE did not support the document. The resolution pledges its commitment to a dialogue without exclusion in order to establish the basics to achieve a political normalisation.

The motion by Nationalist EA and Communist EB congratulates Montenegro for the referendum they held on May 21st to consult the country's union with Serbia.

PNV member of parliament Jose Antonio Rubalkaba has stated that it's time that the Basques could exercise that right since "most" of the society demands it.

PSE leader Patxi Lopez has said that he is willing to "go into that topic", although he has specified that always "within the law". The Socialist leader has explained that some things are decided among Basques, others jointly with the rest of the Spaniards and some others with the Europeans".

PP's spokesman of parliament Leopoldo Barreda has also defended the self-determination right, but he has underlined that that right is "not our business", since we are "self determined within Spain".

How strange that the PP and the PSOE voted against the right of the Basque people to its self determination, I wonder why they did it.

.... ... .

Basque Grammy

This note comes to us thanks to EITb:

Latin Grammy Awards

Basque Country's "La Oreja de Van Gogh" wins Grammy award

11/03/2006

The Basque band won the Grammy award for best pop album by a duo or group with vocal for "Guapa." Shakira dominated the Latin Grammy awards as she won a leading four trophies.

Basque pop music band "La Oreja de Van Gogh" won a Grammy award for best pop album by a duo or group with vocal for "Guapa."

Shakira dominated the Latin Grammy awards as she won a leading four trophies, including album of the year for "Fijacion Oral Vol. 1" and song and record of the year honours for "La Tortura" last night (November 2).

Though Shakira, who also won best female pop vocal album, stole the spotlight at the event, gyrating her way through a rendition of "La Tortura" with her chest heaving and hips swaying, she also took the time to shine a light on one of the most heated issues in the United States, that of immigrants working in this country illegally. She threw her support to those trying to become citizens as they work without documentation.

"I hope soon they will receive they recognition they deserve from the government," said the Colombian superstar said.

Other multiple winners included the reggaeton group Calle 13 and Argentine rocker Gustavo Cerati, who both won two awards each. Cerati won best rock song for "Crimen" and best rock vocal album for "Ahi vamos."

"Arroz con habichuelas"

Calle 13 picked up awards for best music album and best short music video Grammy for its reggaeton song "Atrevete te, te!" Its members were ecstatic as they won, bouncing onstage to pick up the video award. "I'm honestly wetting myself," Calle 13 rapper and lyricist Resident. "I'm very nervous. I want an arroz con habichuelas when I get to my house," he said in reference to a Puerto Rican rice and bean specialty.

Other winners included Mexican singer/accordion player Julieta Venegas, who was nominated for four awards. She won best alternative album for "Limon y sal" in the pre-televised awards ceremony.

Under the Mexican regional award categories, Joan Sebastian took away the best banda album award for "Mas alla del sol."

Oscar and Grammy

The self-titled disc by Cafe de los Maestros won best tango album. The recording's Argentine producer, Gustavo Santaolalla, already won an Oscar this year for best original score on the movie "Brokeback Mountain" and recently composed music for the film "Babel."

This year, New York's Madison Square Garden played host to the Latin Grammys. In the past, the show has alternated between Miami and Los Angeles. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg took to the stage to a Latin beat, escorted by several female dancers dressed in red. "Welcome to my house," Bloomberg said in Spanish.

The evening included performances from Ricky Martin, Andrea Bocelli, and a tribute to reggaeton and salsa.

Thursday's show was broadcast by Univision television for the second straight year. Ratings lagged in 2004 when the Latin Grammy Awards were broadcast in English by CBS. But the show attracted more than 5 million watchers in 2005 - its first year in Spanish - up from about 3.2 million in 2004, according to the ratings agency Nielsen Media Research.

Musicians from Puerto Rico earned 33 Latin Grammy nominations, including all the nominations for best urban music album and best salsa album.

.... ... .

Basque and Welsh

This interesting article about the languages spoken by peoples trapped in the outdated concept of mega-nation comes to us thanks to News Wales:

Basque lesson for Welsh language

3/11/2006

Eleanor Burnham AM returns tomorrow from an official visit to the Basque Country of Spain where she hoped to find new ways to promote and develop the Welsh language at home.

Ms Burnham, a fluent Welsh speaker and Welsh Language Spokesperson for the Welsh Liberal Democrats, arranged her visit in the hope of finding a good example of how minority languages can thrive in smaller countries such as Wales .

Her trip included a variety of visits and influential meetings:

A Meeting with Martxelo Otamendi, Editor of the Basque language newspaper Berria, to discuss the possibility of a national Welsh Language newspaper

A visit to the Basque parliament in the capital Vitoria

Meetings with people involved in the government departments of language and culture to discuss language issues in these areas

A visit to a tri-lingual school as a model for how Welsh language medium education could be developed in the future

Ms Burnham said: "I am so pleased to be visiting a country which, although small in population, has so successfully preserved its own language in everyday life.

"I firmly believe that the future of the Welsh language lies in a rights-based agenda for individuals in Wales and the Basque example provides a multitude of ways in which Welsh could be taken forward in the 21st century.

"I will be completing numerous visits in the fields of culture, language and education with the hope that these models can provide progressive, workable reference points for our own country.

"The future of the Welsh language lies with the rights of the individual and I believe we should be exploring the new avenues opened up by similar countries with minority languages throughout Europe ."

By the way, Basque region of Spain?

Is there a Welsh region of England?

.... ... .