All posts by buber

The Adventures of Maite and Kepa: Part 88

“We just got home!” exclaimed Maite as she reluctantly followed Kepa to the white light. “But,” pleaded Kepa, “it’s here. We can’t ignore it.” Maite looked away, avoiding Kepa’s eyes.  “There was one, back in California, while you were asleep in the car…” she began. “Zer?” exclaimed Kepa. “Why didn’t you tell me?” Maite turned […]

Just Playing Around with Lauburuak

Happy Monday! The other day I started drawing lauburus and… just… couldn’t… stop… Which one is your favorite? Tell me in the comments! For those of you who might want a vector version to play with, here is a PDF version.

Basque Fact of the Week: Munitibar-Arbatzegi-Gerrikaitz

My dad, Pedro Uberuaga Zabala, was from Munitibar, Bizkaia. Or better said, Gerrikaitz. At least, he always referred to his home as Gerrikaitz, not Munitibar. This confused me when I went to visit for the first time because the signs for the town say Munitibar. It turns out that this little town, home to less […]

Goian Bego, Egoitz

Remembering my cousin, Egoitz, who died three years ago today, on his birthday. My cousin, Egoitz Uberuaga Aranburu, died yesterday, January 13, on his birthday. He had just turned 33. Like with most of my dad’s family, I didn’t get to know Egoitz until my first visit to Euskal Herria, back in 1991, when I […]

The Adventures of Maite and Kepa: Part 87

The next few days were a blur. While Javi was at work, Kepa and Maite continued to explore downtown and the beach. They went for a few short hikes in the local parks. However, they most enjoyed the evenings, when Javi was back and Julie joined them. One night, they watched a movie together; another, […]

Basque Fact of the Week: Days of the Week in Basque

When we think about what we call the days of the week, how many of us think about the fact that Monday is named after the moon, Wednesday is Odin’s day, and Thursday is dedicated to the Scandinavian god Thor? Where do these names even come from? They’re just names, and we’ve lost, for the […]

The Adventures of Maite and Kepa: Part 86

“What the hell happened back there Kepa?” asked Maite once they were back at Javi’s place and in their bedroom. Kepa was finishing brushing his teeth while Maite lay in bed, propped up on the pillows. Kepa shrugged and gave her a thin smile. “That bang from the car took me back. It felt like […]

Twentieth Contest of Children’s Stories without Borders of Otxarkoaga

I received an email from Jose Antonio Lopez announcing the twentieth edition of the Otxarkoaga Children Story Contest. On the occasion of the celebration of the 40th Otxarkoaga Children’s Days, which will take place on May 14 and 15, 2022, the Txirula Kultur Taldea collective organizes this Otxarkoaga Tales Without Borders Contest with the aim […]

Fighting Basques: Basque Participation in the Resistance and Liberation of the Philippines (1942-1945)

This article originally appeared in Spanish at El Diario on December 11, 2019. After the surrender of the US armed forces on May 6, 1942, in Corregidor, Japan was free to extend its military occupation throughout the Philippine archipelago. The Philippines was the only Pacific country with a solid and consolidated Basque and Navarrese community […]

Basque Fact of the Week: Mayie Maitia and the Wool Growers Restaurant

One of the distinguishing features of Basque culture in the US West are the Basque restaurants. Often serving family-style meals, with long tables and large plates and bowls of food, they are the cornerstone of Basque-American identity. The Wool Growers, in Bakersfield, California, is one of these wonderful dining spots, a place for Basques and […]