Twenty-two young people from the Basque diaspora gathered on Saturday in Ataun with their host families for the next three weeks, thanks to the Gaztemundu-Ateak Ireki program. Today, all program participants met at the Igartza Palace in Beasain for an official welcome ceremony. This year, the Gaztemundu program of the Basque Government and the Ateak Ireki program of Batzen Kultur Elkartea have joined forces, hence the name Gaztemundu-Ateak Ireki. Fifty young people from Basque communities worldwide have arrived: from the United States, Canada, Argentina, Uruguay, and Australia. Some have Basque ancestry, while others are driven by their curiosity for the Basque language and culture.
The young people arrived in the Basque Country on Saturday and will participate in activities focused on Basque culture and language until July 19. Some will stay with families in Goierri, and others in families in Busturialdea. At today's opening event, representatives from the institutions supporting the program welcomed the participants, led by Iñaki Goirizelaia, president of Batzen Elkartea.
Felix Urkola, Deputy for Infrastructure and Territorial Strategy, highlighted the program's role in "creating new networks and strengthening existing ones," emphasizing support for initiatives that foster community spirit. Adur Ugartemendia, Deputy Mayor of Beasain, deemed institutional support "essential" for "spreading roots globally," recalling that decades ago many Basques from Goierri had to cross the sea "out of necessity." He stated, "It is very beautiful to be able to keep the pulse of the Basque community alive on the other side of the world."
“"It is very beautiful to be able to keep the pulse of the Basque community alive on the other side of the world"
Ziortza Olanok, Director of the Basque Community Abroad for the Basque Government, emphasized the significance of merging the two programs: "We must be a reference by playing as a team, and seeing both programs together is a pleasure. We need to play in a network to be visible globally." Irene Larraza, Director of the Etxepare Institute, encouraged the youth to engage with the Basque language, saying, "Don't be afraid to approach the Basque language. Basque is not old; it exists in all aspects, in the digital scene, in technology." The young participants will visit the Etxepare Institute during their stay.
“"Don't be afraid to approach the Basque language. Basque is not old; it exists in all aspects, in the digital scene, in technology"
Finally, Adur Ezenarro, Mayor of Ordizia and President of Goieki, welcomed the participants on behalf of the municipalities in the Goierri region, highlighting their financial contributions to the program. He encouraged them to "Live the Basque experience to the fullest, learn a little Basque, and enjoy."
