All posts by buber

Open call for finding a “home” for The National Basque WWII Memorial

Would you like your Basque club or town to be the “home” of the National (U.S.) Basque WWII Veterans Memorial?  The North American Basque Organizations’ (N.A.B.O.) Basques in World War II Special Committee has opened a call for proposals among its member clubs to host the future memorial intended to permanently remember and honor our Basque WWII veterans. […]

Basque Proverb of the Week: Proverb #5

Adiskidegabeko bizitza, auzogabeko heriotza. A life without friends, means death without company.

Basque Fact of the Week: The Basque Beret or Txapela

The txapela, or beret, is a defining feature of the traditional Basque costume. Wherever and whenever Basques gather, there are sure to be a few txapelak. The walls of my uncle’s home are lined with txapelak from all of the mus tournaments he’s been part of and, when my Tio Joe turned 100, they celebrated […]

Goian Bego, Tio Joe

In December, my dad’s uncle, the man I knew as uncle tio when I was a kid, turned 100. He passed away on March 5. Tio Joe lived a long and good life. He was the catalyst for my dad to come to the United States. He was always full of stories and had a […]

Basque Fact of the Week: Euskaltegiak and Barnetegiak

Learning Euskara can be a daunting challenge as it is simply so different from English, Spanish, or French. During Franco’s time, the use of Basque was discouraged or even outright forbidden and this led to the decline of the language. However, this also motivated people to create new institutions, new avenues, new places for people […]

Children of Guernica: A Film Project by Begoña Echeverria et al

Dr. Begoña Echeverria has reached out to share news about her new project, CHILDREN OF GUERNICA a film by herself, Annika Speer, and Jacqueline Postajian. You may recall that I interviewed Begoña and Annika about their play, Picasso Presents Gernika. Please see her note below. “Many of you were supportive of my play Picasso Presents […]

Basque Proverb of the Week: Proverb #3

Aberats izatea baino, izen ona hobe. It’s better to have a good reputation than to be rich.

Basque Fact of the Week: The Origin of the Word Basque (Goat People?)

Why are the Basques called the Basques? Baskijski, Baskický, Baskisk, Vasco, Baskilainen, Baskisch, βασκικός, Vasco, Baskijski, Bass, баскский. All of the names for the Basques are similar and seemingly have nothing to do with what the Basques actually call themselves, Euskaldunak. Where does the word Basque even come from? A full list of all of […]