Itxaso Ugarte (Laudio, 1982), director of the Aresketa ikastola, has urged attendees to use public transport or carpool for Sunday's event. They have been busy with final preparations, having organized various activities throughout the year, including sports gatherings, cultural events, and student workshops, as well as a handball tournament and a choir event.
The slogan and logo 'Taupadak berpiztu' (Pulses Revived) aim to highlight that the status of the Basque language is far from normalized and emphasize the need for its revitalization. This concept emerged from community participation and symbolizes a living language and heart.
Following the pandemic, the Araba Euskaraz festival will move beyond Olarizu for the first time, with the Aresketa ikastola in Amurrio taking over. The deputy director explained that the decision to hold the festival in Amurrio was made in an all-ikastola assembly, assessing local capacity and organizational strength. Amurrio and Aiaraldea have proven capable of organizing this event, and public enthusiasm is high, as it hasn't been held there since 2013.
As a parents' cooperative, participation has been crucial. Parents are involved in various committees, and students have also engaged in activities, even contacting well-known figures to invite them to the festival. Close collaboration has also been maintained with the City Council and the Provincial Council, as well as the Department of Education, to facilitate infrastructure and support.
Pedagogically, the ikastola is founded on Basque-language education but remains open to families from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and languages, viewing interculturality as a strength. Their goal is to educate future Basque citizens, as they approach their 50th anniversary.
Aware of the challenges in Amurrio's linguistic situation (only 4% use Basque daily), the funds raised will be directed towards strengthening the language's survival and investing in human resources. The director, in her fourth year, continues with enthusiasm and responsibility, supported by a strong team and the community.
