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NABO Wins Euskara Prize
The North American Basque Organizations is the proud recipient of the annual Euskara promotion prize awarded by one the Basque Country's pre-imminent cultural institutions, Eusko Ikaskuntza which promoted the first celebration of Euskararen Eguna fifty years ago in 1949.
The first celebration of Euskararen Eguna was in 1949, and it was sponsored by Eusko Ikaskuntza, one of the Basque country's pre-imminent cultural and educational institutions. This same organization recently initiated an annual prize awarded to the entity outside the Basque Country that has distinguished itself in its work to promote the Basque language. The 2009 winner was N.A.B.O.! Here's the proxy (keep it brief!) acceptance speech:
"Speaking on behalf or our federation, the North American Basque Organizations, (N.A.B.O.) we want to express our gratitude.
We are grateful to Eusko Ikaskuntza for the honor of this award. Coming from an organization of its stature, that for over a century has worked to promote an awareness of Basque culture at the highest levels, makes this a prestigious award. We are pleased to join the earlier recipients from Basque entities in France, Spain and Argentina that have labored to promote our shared language of Euskara.
EUSKO IKASKUNTZA is a cultural - scientific entity and meeting-point for studies, research, and the dissemination of knowledge of and/or from Vasconia--the Basques. Its objectives are the reinforcement of the traditional values of Basque culture, cultural elevation and dissemination, and the creation of new values that benefit people who live in culturally Basque areas. It has various activities, including the Euskararen Nazioarteko Eguna (ENE) prize which is awarded annually to an institution outside the Basque Country that has distinguished itself in its support for the Basque language.
Euskara is one of the world's rarest of languages. It's rare because of its limited numbers of speakers; it's rare because it has no other related links with existing languages; it's rare because it was a dying language that is now resurrecting and we are proud to be a part of that process. For a people who defined themselves by their language--Euskaldunak: those who speak Basque--this is a crucial part of who we are as people. We appreciate the efforts being made to keep our language alive, and we count ourselves as part of this effort alongside Eusko Ikaskuntza.
2007 Instructors
We are also grateful to our N.A.B.O. leaders in this effort to promote the learning and use of Euskara in North America. They are Martin Goicoechea, our Euskara chairperson, and Izaskun Kortazar, our Euskara coordinator. They have been instrumental in keeping the fire burning. We are also grateful to H.A.B.E., a department of the Basque Government, that has assisted our efforts.
But the greatest thanks must go to the people who make this happen--and they are the teachers and students at the local Basque clubs. They are the ones who give hours each week to get together and learn our language. They are the ones who have committed to keep our language alive.
This award is for them. Eutsi--keep it going!"
