Euskomedia

International Basque Day (ENE) was established in 1949 by the Society for Basque Studies. Now in the 21st century this Society continues to adapt to the changes and challenges posed by society enthusiastically cultivating the Basque language in all facets of their activity. The ENE logo, designed by the Basque artist Nestor Basterretxea in 2005, is the symbol of identity of this annual anniversary day.

Press conference: The International Day of Euskara

In this 2007 edition, it is the wish of Eusko Ikaskuntza to take a step forward, to get closer to Basque youths. We want to make a bid for Basque to become the treasure and the language of young people and for this reason five young bertsolaris will be the bearers of the ENE baton. Their verses will also be the symbol of this edition of the ENE, to be held on 3 December.

XABI PAYA
SUSTRAI KOLINA
OIHANE PEREA
UXUE ALBERDI
JOSE JUAN ZUBIETA "ETXABE"

Theme: Basque and immigration
Theme: Basque in our everyday lives
Theme: Basque as heritage
Theme: The world through Basque
Theme: Basque and young people

Xabi Paya

Theme: Basque and immigration

The world never stops,
it is always moving.
It is the mirror and image
that reflects all that lives on it.
A river divides
one world from the other,
you could go swimming
and float in the water.
But language links
the two ends, left and right.
Let Basque be
your road and your bridge. (bis)

There is only one world
but how many lands and countries!
The earth does not dominate
those that live on it.
Each makes the earth its own -
grass, sand and stone.
Each land is different,
each has its past and its heritage.
Many immigrants
come to the Basque Country
without ever really reaching
this land. (bis)

Sustrai Kolina

Theme: Basque in our everyday lives

My Basque is always
changing, always at the limits.
How long have you been
waiting for better days?
Don´t ask me
if I love you,
or how many times
I kick you.
Don´t ask me
if I love you
when I see a whole world
in you.

Thanks to you I have been at times
understanding, at times Taliban,
tireless, tired,
friendly or a hooligan.
Because your world of words
explained to me
that gold does not
always glitter.
Because your world of words
made me see
that there was a more complete
world in me.

Oihane Perea

Theme: Basque as heritage

Iruña Veleia and
Lazarraga also,
appeared and changed
all our ideas.
It doesn´t matter.
It doesn´t matter.
We also want to know
who Araba was.
Buried Basque,
despite being covered
is still our heritage (bis)

Many archaeologists
and historians
are looking into the dark,
and are shedding light on something.
It seems to me.
But there are
too many bias surrounding it.
May it be what it was.
Sorry for the disruption
and keep working (bis)

Uxue Alberdi

Theme: The world through Basque

A gust of southern wind,
blows in through the bars,
slams windows shut, raises waves
and comes in through the bay. (bis)
It dries the wet rocks and
over the rooftops
it drenches itself in the sound of Basque,
then combs the hair
and sets off into the world again. (bis)

Free wind, strong wind,
wind here, and wind there.
It blows the red leaves
that fell from the trees in autumn. (bis)
Basque is so small,
it is such a shrivelled leaf,
that we must cast it into the wind;
for there is no one in the world
who can stop the wind blowing. (bis)

Jose Juan Zubieta "ETXABE"

Theme: Basque and young people

The Basque Country and the Basque language,
what a special couple!
The beauty of one
and the charm of the other.
To stop a barrier arising
between the two,
the main thing is to know
who has to give what to whom:
language gives us our identity,
and we give our language life.

Despite all the obstacles
that lie in our path,
if we are able to overcome
adversity, whatever form it takes,
then Basque needs to take refuge
in all Basque youngsters.
Young spirit, young blood,
the passion of youth.
Our language needs us
in order to survive.