The Mintzalaguna program has begun its new academic year, with several associations and municipalities that are partners of Taupa opening registration for Mintzapraktika groups; among them is Galtzaundi Tolosaldeko Euskara Taldea. This initiative brings together individuals who wish to practice Basque in a group setting and during their leisure time, through voluntary conversations held at an agreed-upon frequency.
According to its promoters, the program is much more than that: it's an opportunity to start using Basque outside of academic environments, in a comfortable and pleasant context, free from judgment or evaluation. It also allows participants to meet new people, build relationships from and in Basque, broaden their perspectives, and become part of a community, overcoming shyness or fear.
This year, in addition to existing groups in the region in towns such as Anoeta, Ibarra, Irura, Tolosa, Villabona, and Zizurkil, the option to conduct Mintzaparaktika online has been introduced. This allows those without an in-person group, those facing difficulties attending, or Basque enthusiasts living abroad to form their group online.
To register, those interested in being conversation partners must have a good command of Basque, and their role will be to help the group or the other person speak Basque and guide the conversation. The learners will be those who are currently learning Basque or wish to improve their level and gain more practice.
Those seeking more information about the program can obtain it by visiting the Galtzaundi headquarters, writing to galtzaundi@galtzaundi.eus, calling the phone number 943 65 50 04, or by completing the online form.
Last June, at the Euskaltzaleon Martxa (Basque Speakers' March) held in Pamplona, Taupa announced, along with other partners of the Council of the Basque Community (Euskalgintzaren Kontseilua), the challenge to double the pace of Basque speakers: in the next 10 years, to reach 30,000 new Basque speakers annually, increase the use of Basque from 15.3% to 20%, and achieve official status for Basque throughout its territory.
Taupa specifically focuses its activities on promoting usage, and the Mintzapraktika program is key to empowering speakers, offering the opportunity to extend Basque from a limited scope to all areas of their lives.
