May 04, 2008 We are still adjusting to our new life with Rose. Rose is a wonderful baby, and we are doing great, but I'm still not in a regular rhythm, so the updates to Buber's Basque Page are still going to be somewhat sporadic. For the time being, I've got a couple of quick announcements. Volunteers Needed! Benoit Etxeberri, a very active member of the Basque cyber-world, writes: EuskoSare is calling upon the young people of the Diaspora to help in the construction of the Azkarate Palace from August 1st through the 23th. All details are here. So, if you are interested in helping out, check out that link! Dance Group from Gipuzkoa: Alurr.com, a dance group from Ibarra, Gipuzkoa, would like to introduce themselves! They have a video presentation on YouTube that shows their combination of traditional elements with some more modern touches. Very interesting! Even more about Guillermo: Guillermo Zubiaga has really gotten a lot of press lately! I'd like to think I helped him out a bit with the interview, but really, this is a testament to his skill. He was recently interviewed by EiTB, the Basque television station, and has posted the interview on his website. Zorionak Guillermo! CD Oberena... in Scotland: In an interesting reflection of how the Internet does indeed make the world smaller, Graham Stephen Donachie wrote to tell me about his blog on the Club Deportivo Oberena soccer club in Pamplona, who play in Spain's third division. Graham write's his blog from Arbroath, Angus, Scotland. He gives updates on games, info on players, and his own musings about life in general. Combining Dance with Theater: A second dance group, Antzart, combines dance with theater to create a unique experience. Their theater draws heavily from Basque mythology, incorporating characters such as Basajaun, Mari, and the Lamiak. They have a video introducing their new play "Nortasunaren bila". Bernardo Atxaga online: Bernardo Atxaga, one of the most well-known Basque writers and the author of, amongst other novels, Obabakoak (one of my favorite books!), is now online. In addition to his main website, he also has a blog where he is writing online his newest novel. Photo Album Update! Finally, for today, several photos have been added to the Photo Album. First, Andy Franco, who designed and forged several of the items on display in the Boise Basque Museum exhibit on Basque whaling, sends some photos of his work, including the beautiful lauburu you see here. My sister-in-law, Shelley Jones, shares a great photo of an ikurrina she took during her trip to Donostia. Eskerrik asko, Andy and Shelley!  Apr 05, 2008 It's very quiet around here: Hi everyone. Sorry it has been so quiet around Buber's Basque Page recently. But, it is for a very good reason. My wife, Lisa, and I are the pround parents of a beautiful baby girl! Rose is one month old today, and we are still adjusting to life with Rose. So, the updates haven't been as forthcoming as normal. But, I do have some things in the works, including a couple of interviews, so I hope to get things going again soon. Until then, I hope life is good for everyone! Ondo izan!  Feb 18, 2008 More from David Cox Jauna: The inestimable David Cox, a very frequent contributor to these pages, returns with a couple of items. First, he sent word that Bernardo Atxaga's latest novel, The Accordianist's Son, has recently been translated to English. On Rambles.net, David has a review of the Spanish translation of the book. Also, David shares some photos from his most recent trip to Euskadi. Check out his Guest Album to see his photos of Baigorri, Elorrio, Aranzazu, and Aresti Kalea in Trapagaran, Bizkaia. Eskerrik asko, David! More about Guillermo: At the end of last year, I posted an interview I had done with Basque graphic design artist Guillermo Zubiaga. Since then, he has appeared in a few more interviews. For those interested in his work and his upcoming graphic novel on the history of Basque Whaling, check out this interview on basqueheritage.com (in Euskara), and Euskadi Irratia (though I can't find a link for that one). Zorionak, Guillermo!  Feb 03, 2008 International Center for the Basque Diaspora: Benoit Etcheverry, who seems to have no end to the projects he has to promote the Basque culture, sends word of one of his more ambitious projects. He is working to create the International Center for the Basque Diaspora in the town of Ascarat in Behe Nafarroa. On this site you can find some videos in a number of languages showing the plans for the Center and the work-in-progress. Benoit asks that anyone who supports the Center send him a note of encouragement and support, just saying "I think this project is a good idea, I support it's completion", something like this. There is a place on the site to leave such a note. Sorte ona, Benoit! Dia de San Blas! Today is the Day of San Blas, and a number of towns in Euskal Herria have fiestas today (though the biggest seems to be in Abadino, Bizkaia). San Blas is the patron of throat diseases and his fiesta is characterized by these little cookies, with a hole in the center, that are coated with an anis-flavored frosting. Anis is what gives black liquorice it's flavor. Unfortunately for me, I really don't like the taste of anis. But, I've been to a fiesta once on San Blas day (though I forget when and where, I just remember the cookies!) and it was a lot of fun. Since it's my saint's day, doesn't that mean I should get my wish and the Giants should clobber the Patriots? Just saying...  Jan 27, 2008 Protest over Basque president visit: Juan Jose Ibarretxe, the president of the Basque Autonomous Community, is scheduled to speak at Stanford on Feb 14. His visit has stirred up a lot of debate and protest, mostly because of his plan to hold a referendum on the future status of the Basque Autonomous Community within Spain (thanks to Phillipe Acheritogaray for clarifying this). To read about the protest, along with some pretty spiteful comments by visitors, check out this article. Then, if you are so inclined, come to the Forum and discuss it.  Jan 21, 2008 The Great Basque Classical Composers: The Basque Country is known for its music. Whether the unique instruments -- such as the alboka, txalaparta, or txistu -- that are the foundation of Basque folk music, or punk and rock bands exemplified by Negu Gorriak and Kortatu, music is definitely a cornerstone of Basque culture. However, the Basques also have a very strong tradition in classical music and some very successful composers have come from the Basque region, including Juan Crisotomo de Arriaga and, perhaps the most famous, Maurice Ravel. David Cox, a frequent contributor to Buber's Basque Page, returns with an overview of the most inf luential and prominent Basque composers: Symphonic Variations on a Basque Theme: The story of the great Basque composers. Eskerrik asko, Daffyd! If anyone else would like to contribute an article to be featured as a Guest Column on Buber's Basque Page, please let me know! And the collection keeps on growing! Thanks to Jerry Hooks for sending this photo of the tattoo he has on his left arm, incorporating the Ikurrina. He is also has another one he is working on. Thanks for sharing, Jerry! Postcards for Buber: When I first started these pages, I had a little notice asking for postcards, if anyone was up for sending me one. Well, I thought I'd ask again and, this time, I'll put them in the gallery. I'd rather not post my mailing address up here right now, but if you find a cool Basque-themed postcard you'd like to share, either scan it and email it to me or write me an email and I'll send you my address that way.  Jan 05, 2008 Urte Berri On! I hope everyone has a great 2008! Work for Basque Speaker: Anna Lavelle of Lionbridge is looking for Basque speakers who can work from home. The full text of the ad for the job is here: Lionbridge enrpesaren webgune ebaluatzailea Mota: Lanaldi partziala Iraupena: Zehaztu gabea Lionbridge Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: LIOX) enpresa globalizazio eta frogaketa zerbitzuen hornitzaile garrantzitsuenetako bat da. Lionbridge-ek errekurtso globalak programa frogatuen kudeaketarako metodologiekin konbinatzen ditu, bezeroei enpresa azpikontratatu gisa laguntzeko, enpresaren produktu eta edukientzako beharrezko zerbitzu guztiak eskainiz, haien bizi ziklo osoan zehar: diseinua, globalizazioa, frogatzea eta mantentzea. Industria guztietako organizazio globalak Lionbridge-engan ezartzen dute bere konfiantza nazioarteko merkatuko parte hartzea handitzeko, produktu eta eduki globaletara azkar egokitzeko eta enpresako aplikazio eta informatika sistemetan egindako inbertsioen emaitzak hobetzeko Lionbridge-en egoitza nagusia Waltham-en (Massachusetts) kokatzen da eta beste 50 zentro baino gehiago ditu 25 herrialdetan banatuta, Lionbridge eta VeriTest marken izenpean zerbitzuak eskaintzeko. Informazio gehiagorako, zoaz www.lionbridge.com. Lionbridge Technologies taldea, mundu osoko 25 herrialdetan egoitzak dituena, lanaldi partzialerako langile autonomoen bila dabil, euskara eta ingeles maila aitua dutenak eta Euskal Herrian bizi direnak, euren webgune ebaluatzaileen taldera batzeko. Gaitasunak: Ingelesa jakitea beharrezkoa da, hizkuntza horretan lan egiteko mailan. Euskaraz jakin behar da. Interneta oso ongi ezagutu eta erabiltzen duen jendearen bila gabiltza, erabiltzaile maila baino altuagoa dutenak. Informatikari buruzko ezagutza izatea gomendatzen da, baina ez da beharrezkoa. Jaiotzez euskalduna ez bazara, Euskal Herrian gutxienez 5 urte eraman behar dituzu. Ingeleseko ziurtagiri ofizialak (adibidez, Cambridge-eko Unibertsitatearenak) lagungarriak dira. Lana sareko bilatzaileak ebaluatzean datza. Ordutegi malgua eskaintzen da, etxeko betebeharretara moldatzeko aukera ematen duena, beraz, lana eta bizitza pertsonalaren arteko oreka lortu nahi dutenentzat (astean 10-20 ordu inguru). Zuzendu helbide honetara: es.raters.bal@lionbridge.com . Mezuan bi eranskin gehitu: zure curriculumaren kopia, ingelesez, eta aipamen gutun bat zure gaitasun aipagarrienekin, zaletasunekin, interesekin eta esperientziekin; zure jaioterria eta bizilekua ere adierazi. Lionbridge Technologies taldea lan aukeren berdintasunean oinarritzen da.  Dec 30, 2007 After a busy holiday season, I'm finally getting through my email and updating these pages. I intend to get a few additions and updates over the next couple of days. So, check back to see what I have in store for you. Interview with Guillermo Zubiaga: First off, Zorionak eta Urte Berri On! My Christmas gift to all of you is a very interesting interview with Guillermo Zubiaga. Guillermo Zubiaga is a graphic artist living in New York, though he was born and grew up in the Basque Country. We met through my website, when Guillermo contacted me about a link to his site. In this interview, Guillermo describes growing up in post-Franco Euskal Herria, his experiences in the US comic book industry, and his current project about a comic book on the history of Basque whaling. News from EiTB! A big Eskerrik Asko to Lorenzo Sainz Nieto of EiTB for helping me get the Basque News Ticker on this page! At the top, you'll see scrolling headlines from EiTB on Basque subjects. Any feedback anyone has on the ticker would be greatly appreciated. Should it appear on all pages, or just the main intro page? Basque Restaurants: When I started these pages, one of the first major contributions I got was by Charles Shaffer of Seattle. Not of Basque blood, Charles was definitely Basque at heart, especially when it came to food. He had compiled a list of all the Basque restaurants in the United States that he could, mostly so he would know where he needed to eat next. Over the years, a number of the restaurants on Charles' original list have closed and others have opened. Many visitors have left notes about which ones had changed ownership, changed cuisine, or even changed location. I've finally updated the main list against the visitor comments. If you have other changes that should be made, please let me know. Either write me or leave a note on the page. You can find Charles' list of Basque Restaurants in the US here. New Book for Learning Euskara: Tracy Liaw of Hippocrene Books sent me the following press release for a new book on learning Euskara: Basque is one of the world's most enigmatic languages; it is believed to be a language isolate -- a language with no known linguistic relatives. It has been spoken for more than 2,000 years in the area where it is still used today, in the Pyrenees Mountains in north-central Spain and southwestern France. It is also spoken by immigrant communities around the world, including in the United States, Venezuela, Argentina, Mexico, and Colombia. Beginner's Basque with 2 Audio CDs provides an excellent introduction to one of the most ancient languages of Western Europe. It is ideal for both classroom use and self-study. INCLUDES: introduction to the Basque region 12 practical language lessons with dialogues, vocabulary, and expressions comprehensive grammar explanations review exercises with answer key Basque-English and English-Basque glossaries 2 audio CDs of dialogues and vocabulary with correct pronunciation by native Basque speakers Wim Jansen teaches linguistics at the University of Amsterdam. He is the author of several Basque-related books and articles, including the first Basque-Dutch dictionary. Beginner's Basque with 2 Audio CDs Wim Jansen $26.95 paperback; 283 pages Orders: Phone: 718-454-2366; Fax: 718-454-1391; orderdept@hippocrenebooks.com The Sounds of Basque: Be careful what you wish for! I often get requests for links or any online resource to hear what Euskara sounds like. Well, the folks of fonatari, at the University of Deusto, have compiled what they themselves call an "exhaustive" database on the sounds of the Basque language. They have both audio and video, and have broken down the database by the different dialects of Euskara. So, if you have always wondered how the Gipuzkoans pronounce "tx", this is the website for you! Basque Perspective on US History: I run a site on Basque culture and history from the United States. It is only fitting and fair that someone run a site on the history of the US from the Basque Country! And that is exactly what Ben JH Van Melle is doing from the French-Basque city of Ahetze. His site, USAStatesDates, offers general historical events and facts on the US, in a timeline organized per state. Not since Alexis de Tocqueville has a French-(Basque)-man showed such great interest in the US. :)  Nov 15, 2007 Candle in the Night: In light of the recent Wall Street Journal furor, it seems apt that the Center for Basque Studies at the University of Nevada, Reno, is being honored and recognized by a new book. A Candle in the Night: Basque Studies at the University of Nevada, 1967-2007 documents the history of the Center, from its humble beginnings as a program to study the Basque shepherd in the American West to the leading institution of Basque Studies outside of Euskal Herria. The book is being celebrated with two book signings in the Reno area. You can learn more about the book here. You can also read about the book in Spanish at Luis Foncillas' blog. The Center for Basque Studies has been one of the most staunch defenders and proponents of Basque culture and language. Their efforts have lead to a much deeper understanding and appreciate of the Basque experience, not only in the US, but in the Americas in general and even back in the motherland. It is through the efforts of people like those in the Center that the Basque culture is still thriving, even in the face of such reporting as we recently saw in the WSJ. The timing of the release of this book is serendipitous and highlights the need for the Center. It is only through the efforts of the Center and similar institutes that the negative stigma and prejudices illustrated by the WSJ article can be overcome. Zorionak Center for Basque Studies! I'm on Facebook! Yeah, I've made a profile on facebook. Woohoo! A couple of friends got on so I thought I'd see what it is about. It's interesting and maybe an easy way to keep at least some contact with some friends. Not sure if I wanted to post my profile here for all to see, but I thought, what the hell, I might as well. So, if you are on facebook too, stop by and say hello.  Nov 10, 2007 Wall Street Journal furor: The Wall Street Journal recently published an article by Keith Johnson which questioned the usefulness of Euskara, the Basque language, in a modern context. He makes a number of points, most of which are pretty ridiculous. For example, he criticizes Euskara for having non-native words for concepts like democracy, which, of course, isn't a native English word either as it derives from Greek roots. Because of the number of incorrect assertions Johnson makes, this article has generated quite the response from online Basques. Unfortunately, the WSJ article is only viewable to those who have a subscription to the journal (if you have one, you can see the article here). However, you can get the gist of the article by reading the responses to it. Here are a couple: Itsasertzeko zubia (which also posts a reply by Johnson in response to the criticism his article has generated) Luistxo's blog Mikel Iturbe's response to the article EuskoBlog's take on the Basque-phobe-of-the-week EiTB's initial response to the article and Mikel Morris's answer to Johnson (Morris is the author of the leading English-Basque dictionary) What do you think? Leave a note on the blog. (archive)

Gaur Euskal Historian Today in Basque History (submit an event)

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Lotura Ohargarriak Notable Links

Morris Student Plus, a great online Basque-English dictionary. There is a print version too. EITB24 is the best source for news from the Basque Country in English. Astero is NABO's free Basque news & information service, brought to you by John Ysursa. Bizkaia:::Xede is an effort to attract and retain the talented people Bizkaia needs to be a leader in innovation. Enciclopedia Auñamendi, the Basque online encyclopedia with entries on every Basque topic imaginable. Liburutegi Digital is a collection of many Basque related documents from the last century.

Ezaugarri Bereziak Special Features

buber.net Forum A discussion forum for all things Basque. Ask questions or share your knowledge with the rest of us.  Guest Column Guest articles on Basque topics. The most recent article, The story of the great Basque composers by David Cox, discusses the contributions Basques have made to classical music and those from the Basque region which were the most prominent and influential.  Interviews Interviews with Basque personalities. The most recent interview is with Guillermo Zubiaga, a graphic design artist who discusses learning Basque clandestinely and his recent project on the history of Basque whaling.  Photo Album Basque photos, including the tattoo collection.  Basque Surname List A select list of some Basque surnames, with discussions by visitors to Buber's Basque Page.  Basque Recipe Collection Food! Share your favorite Basque recipe with the rest of us.  Collected Postings by Larry Trask Basque linguistic articles by the late Larry Trask, world-reknowned expert on the Basque language.

Do you think the Basque Government should take special steps to promoting/protecting the Basque language?

Yes, they should do anything and everything they can to ensure Basque survives. No, they should allow people to learn it if they wish, but if people do not learn it on their own, it is not worth the effort. No, the Basque language will die anyways, so why try to protect it. Yes, the Basque language is a co-official language of the region, so people should be able to speak both Basque and Spanish. (poll archive) (poll courtesy of Coopercentral.org)

Gaurko Esaera Zaharrak Proverb of the Day (full list)

Gure beiak erro handiago eta zuenak esne gehiago Our cow has a larger teat, but yours gives more milk.

Jazoera Etorkizunekoak Upcoming Events (view full calendar or add your event)

Zer (What): Herri Urrats in Senpere Noiz (When): 2008 / 5 / 11

Ten Most Recent Notes (about notes)

;/Basque/Surname/I/idoeta.html Mi bisabuela se llamo Sebastiana IDOETA ARTAETXEBARRIA y nacio tambien,... ;/Basque/Surname/L/legarreta.html hola mi nombre es MARCOS LEGARRETA, mi padre se llama... ;/Basque/Surname/Z/zarazua.html HOLAS A TODOS LOS ZARAZUA LES INFORMO QUE ESTAMOS ORGANIZANDO... ;/Basque/Surname/E/estibaliz.html HOLA CHICAS! MI NOMBRE TAMBIEN ES ESTIBALITZ Y SOY DEL... ;/Basque/Surname/B/basurto.html MI SEGUNDO APELLIDO POR PARTE DE MI MADRE ES BASURTO... ;/Basque/Surname/A/andia.html Hola a todos los Andía de todo el mundo, me... ;/Basque/Surname/A/arteaga.html MI NOMBRE COMPLETO ES ATALA YOLANDA ARTEAGA SOY DE MEXICO,... ;/Basque/Surname/A/artunduaga.html soy Alexander Perea Artunduaga y vivo en cali, Colombia. aca... ;/Basque/Surname/Z/zurutuza.html HOLA A TODOS MIS PARIENTES ALRREDEDOR DEL MUNDO!! POR...