The Canonization of Carmen

This article explores many of the ways in which performance of a modern Basque pastorale, or morality play—an art form with medieval roots—explores issues and conundrums of contemporary Basque society and culture. These include maintenance of the Basque language and identity, the attitude of Basques towards others, notably Spaniards and gypsies, and vice versa, and the survival of Basque rural life in the face of the many challenges to it. Karmen Etxalarkoa Pastorala is but the most recent recounting of the tragedy of Carmen, the quintessential gypsy of Prosper Merimée's novel and Bizet's opera. In the work, she claims descent from the Navarrese village of Etxalar, and her ill-fated lover, José Lizarrabengoa, is from the adjacent Valley of Baztan. I interweave my own mid-twentieth-century anthropological research in Etxalar with the biographies of local residents and that of the pastorale's author, Gerardo Mungia, as a ploy for narrating the genesis and significance of Karmen Etxalarkoa Pastorala, not to mention its many ironies.

Meta-Fiction, Parody, and The [Basque] Apocalypse Revealed to All

The literary and cultural scholar Joseba Gabilondo has exerted considerable influence on the field of Basque and Iberian Literary Studies. His scholarly work often generating attention for his opinions expressed about canonical Basque Literature and authors. This article returns to his publication of Apokalipsia guztioi erakutsia. Although the book obtained the "Erein Narratiba" award in 2009, the collection gained no scholarly attention and hardly received any critical reviews. But recent changes have occasioned a second look, an in-depth critical reading, that seems timelier than ever. The literary scholar Gabilondo would, of course, agree; since, as he conceded to Gorka Erostarbe in a recent interview concerning, among other issues, the Covid-19 pandemic: "Our new horizon is not history, but apocalypse". Gabilondo fictionally scaffolds his reflections on issues that have long concerned him as an intellectual and have occupied most, if not all, of his scholarly work. The lack of worldliness and roundness of his fictional proposal in favor of a literature-of-ideas does not do away with the overwhelming impression the reader is left with. Indeed, we have been the recipients of a shrewd revelation. Admittedly, a revelation that twinges the reader who shares the author's fears.

The Basques of New Orleans

Basques have found their way to many corners of the world, and one of those is the distinctive city of New Orleans in the United States. The relationship of Basques with Louisiana antedates the independence of the United States, and, of course, incorporation of that territory into the American Union. The Basque presence was most evident throughout the nineteenth century and the first half of the twentieth, when a significant community of Basque mariners resided in New Orleans. This article provides a historical overview of the Basque connection to Louisiana, from the expulsion of the Acadians that sent Basques south, the arrival of Basque mariners, and those relocated Basques from Mexico. General immigrants found their way there as merchants, storekeepers, accountants and blacksmiths and in time a Basque District emerged. There was also a Basque religious presence. The article brings to light the Basque presence.

Silence and Invisibility as Weapons of Hegemonic Nationalism in Fernando Aramburu's Patria

Fernando Aramburu�s Patria (2016) has undoubtedly constituted one of the most explosive publishing successes of Spain�s literary market of the recent years. The author depicts Basque nationalism as a flawed product deriving from irrational violent impulses that supposedly lie at the core of the Basque identity, while privileging a hegemonic Castilian nationalism. Aramburu�s perspective, however, is tainted by his geographic and affective distancing from Euskadi, which arises not only from the fact that he has been living in Germany since 1985 but also from his identity as an author who writes only in Spanish. His novel misses the mark, as it consists of a collection of easily digestible stereotypes that do not facilitate a profound understanding of the Basque reality.

Basque Radical Rock

This paper aims to chart the origins of the so-called Basque Radical Rock movement and its varied use by different social groups, from political organizations of the time to anarchist, marginalized youth needing to express the pessimistic view of their present circumstances. Basque Radical Rock represented a growing sense of modern Basqueness and difference that shaped the scene, moving away from pastoral images toward urban decadence. Although politics did influence the growth and spread of music throughout the Basque Country, many did not feel represented by these causes. The youth�s backlash against socio-economic conditions and their nihilistic view of the future is key to understanding the music of the period, as well as widespread drug use. The conditions and struggles epitomized in Basque Radical Rock left a lasting impact on Basque society. The music remains and still resonates during the existing crisis and has not been relegated to the past.

Size Matters

Text production indexes a set of values as semiotics are utilized to market gastronomic products. These values are referenced through the language used, various font styles and sizes, and the food being promoted. The Basque Country has become a �Culinary nation,� world-renowned for its unique culture and gastronomy. This paper looks at how semiotics are used to create value in marketing locally-made wine and cider. A ubiquitously seen Basque font is used for both cider and wine to reference traditional components of Basque culture, while font size on Rioja Alavesa wine labels stresses the distinction between neighboring regions. The use of language alongside font style and size are part of a system that simultaneously indexes political, social, and linguistic affinities. By looking at how and where semiotics are manipulated to create meaning, value can be increased or even decreased for both the product and the Basque language alike.

The Basques in Idaho

This is the 45th anniversary of the publication of Dr. Pat Bieter’s booklet by the Idaho State Historical Society in 1973. It served as one of the earliest English language introductions to the Basques in general, and specifically the Basques of Idaho relating the story of the Basque homeland and why Basques immigrated to America and settled in Idaho. This re-publication with permission returns us to the pioneering work of this author. In addition to his writing on the Basques, Bieter founded Boise State's first studies abroad program which later became part of the University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC).

Reconciling the Places Where We Live with the Spaces We Inhabit

The aim of this research is to give a detailed description of local media working in Basque language, hence, providing a backdrop for other minority language local media. Our approach is to offer data based on a questionnaire distributed among 65 local media with a response rate of 84%, ten in-depth interviews and a focus group. The data revealed a total publication of 200.000 copies with potential for a 70 page newspaper, 400.000 readers, almost 300 employees and more than 1.000 collaborating individuals. However, in spite of seeking to collaborate within a common framework, diversity and economic insecurity limit the potential of these local media groups to do so.

Ethnic Identity Formation Among Basque-American Adolescents

This article focuses on the ethnic identity formation among one hundred Basque-American youth between the ages of nine and fifteen who were interviewed at the beginning and end of a two week long Udaleku held in Bakersfield California in 2013. This project explores four key questions related to the internal thought processes used by camp attendees to account for or try to make sense of their ethnicity. First, were camp attendees confident or confused about their ethnicity? Second, have participants attempted to “explore” their ethnicity and, if so how? Third, what does “being Basque” mean to camp participants and is their understanding primarily derived from the self or from significant others? And fourth, how do the above questions vary in terms of age, gender, family composition and club affiliation.

Assessing Udaleku 2013

One hundred Basque-American youth between the ages of nine and fifteen were interviewed at the beginning and end of a two week long Udaleku held in Bakersfield California in 2013 to determine: 1) the primary reason children attended Basque camp 2) the skills and abilities participants exhibited at the onset of Udaleku 3) the extent to which youth skills and interest in txistu, song, dance, euskara, pala, and mus changed over the course of camp, 4) the effect Udaleku had on the children’s level of Basque identity and pride 5) the children’s assessment of camp conditions, organization and instruction, and 6) the effects of gender, age, family composition, and Basque community of origin on skills, interests, identity and pride.