When: Saturday, December 7th, 2013, from 11am-1pm
Where: The Grove Plaza downtown (right next to the Christmas tree)
What: Free Basque dance and interactive language lesson, open to the public to celebrate Euskara Eguna, the International Day of the Basque Language
For more information: Visit www.oinkari.org or email info@oinkari.org
More information about Euskara Eguna:
The week of December 1-7 is the week of Euskara Eguna, a celebration of the Basque language, Euskara, which is one of the oldest indigenous languages in the world. Euskara is a minority language with fewer and fewer native speakers as each generation passes, so cultural groups around the world are always working hard to try and encourage awareness and learning of this ancient and interesting language. The International Day of the Basque Language, annually celebrated on December 3rd, was institutionalized by the Basque Government and the Royal Academy of the Basque language (Euskaltzaindia) in 1995. However, its origins go back to 1948, when the 7th Congress of Eusko Ikaskuntza-Society for Basque Studies reached the following agreement: “a day of the Basque language will be celebrated worldwide once a year on December 3rd.” Following that proclamation, Euskara celebrated its first International Day in 1949, to vindicate the universality of the Basque Language. December 3rd is St Francis Xavier Day, a missionary from Navarre born in the 16th Century. According to the legend, his last words before dying on December 3rd, 1552, were in Basque. On the occasion of the International Day of the Basque Language, public and private entities alike, as well as various associations, organize several activities (roundtables, exhibitions, workshops, conferences, cultural performances, etc.) to celebrate and support Euskara.
More information about Euskara Eguna:
The week of December 1-7 is the week of Euskara Eguna, a celebration of the Basque language, Euskara, which is one of the oldest indigenous languages in the world. Euskara is a minority language with fewer and fewer native speakers as each generation passes, so cultural groups around the world are always working hard to try and encourage awareness and learning of this ancient and interesting language. The International Day of the Basque Language, annually celebrated on December 3rd, was institutionalized by the Basque Government and the Royal Academy of the Basque language (Euskaltzaindia) in 1995. However, its origins go back to 1948, when the 7th Congress of Eusko Ikaskuntza-Society for Basque Studies reached the following agreement: “a day of the Basque language will be celebrated worldwide once a year on December 3rd.” Following that proclamation, Euskara celebrated its first International Day in 1949, to vindicate the universality of the Basque Language. December 3rd is St Francis Xavier Day, a missionary from Navarre born in the 16th Century. According to the legend, his last words before dying on December 3rd, 1552, were in Basque. On the occasion of the International Day of the Basque Language, public and private entities alike, as well as various associations, organize several activities (roundtables, exhibitions, workshops, conferences, cultural performances, etc.) to celebrate and support Euskara.
