A Bit of Basque Miscellany
Today, I’m sharing a number of interesting items that have been sent to me over the last… well, I don’t dare say, as some of these have been sitting in my inbox for far too long. I hope you enjoy these!
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Basque Fact of the Week: The Joaldunak
The Basque Country has several very distinctive festivals. I’ve written about La Tamborrada and the fiesta of San Juan, but perhaps one of the most unique fiestas involves the Joaldunak. Dressed in sheepskins and tall pointy hats with massive cowbells hung on their backs, these men, and now women, march between the towns of Zubieta […]
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The Adventures of Maite and Kepa: Part 141
It was a few days later. Maite and Kepa were strolling along La Concha in Donostia. The sun glistened off of the water in the bay, which slowly lapped at the beach. People were spread out everywhere. Kids were splashing in the water while their parents sat back under umbrellas, watching them. More than a […]
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Fighting Basques: Alfonso Garde Marcilla, Memoirs of a Prisoner of War in World War II
This article original appeared in Spanish at EuskalKultura.eus. Interrogated in Budapest “Alfonso Garde, Corporal, 3835273.” Those were the only words that came out of his mouth in response to the demands of his interrogator. Under the Geneva Convention, a prisoner of war only had to provide his name, rank, and serial number. “Alfonso Garde, Corporal, […]
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Basque Fact of the Week: The “Basque Spitfire” Yolande Betbeze, Miss America 1951
Sometimes during my foraging of the Internet for interesting stories about Basque culture, I come across a cool tidbit like this week’s fact about Yolande Betbeze. Almost all references to her note her Basque ancestry. However, this is a case where I can’t really confirm her Basque heritage – it seems that her first immigrant […]
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Resolution Honoring Basque WWII Veterans on the House Floor in Austin, TX
Press release by Sancho de Beurko Association (sanchobeurko@gmail.com) The Texas House of Representatives, namely Rafael Anchia (HD 103), will present a resolution honoring Basque WWII Veterans on the House Floor at the State Capitol in Austin, TX on Wednesday, March 1, 2023. This will be the first resolution to honor Basque and Basque American WWII veterans in the […]
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The Adventures of Maite and Kepa: Part 140
The next morning, Kepa awoke and turned, watching Maite sleep peacefully next to him. Her dark curls splayed out across her pillow and her lips were slightly parted as she breathed. As he watched her, a wave of happiness overcame him. He felt like the luckiest man alive. He lay there for a few moments, […]
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Basque Fact of the Week: Donostia, the Capital of Gipuzkoa, Part 2: Early History
Today, Donostia is a thriving metropolitan city that is a draw for tourists from around the world. Picturesque beaches and an awesome food scene are just a few of the things that make Donostia a must visit. But, with any such city, these modern trappings hide a long history, one which often saw Donostia in […]
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The Adventures of Maite and Kepa: Part 139
“Koldo,” said Kepa as he took a sip of his patxaran, “that was indeed the best steak I have ever had. Zorionak!” Koldo beamed as the table erupted in applause. “Mil esker,” he replied. “I’m glad you enjoyed it.” “Shall we head to the plaza, then?” asked Maite. “I’ve got to clean up, but I […]
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Basque Fact of the Week: Donostia, the Capital of Gipuzkoa, Part 1: The City
My first stay in the Basque County began in the city of Donostia. I really didn’t know anything about the city and I ended up staying in a flat in the Egia neighborhood. I would walk, weather and time permitting, through the tunnel that connected Egia with the downtown, and along La Concha to classes […]
