The Euskal Museoa in Bilbao reopened its doors to the public today, June 10th, following a four-and-a-half-year closure and a spectacular renovation. To celebrate, admission will be free until June 21st. COPE Euskadi has explored the renewed facilities, guided by museum technicians such as Maria Agirrezabal, head of education and programming.
According to Agirrezabal, visitors will find "a completely renovated, modern, and contemporary museum." The aim is to provide a comprehensive view of Basque culture, encompassing both material and intangible heritage.
The tour begins in the Misericordia Building, a novel space with a height of nearly 20 meters. It exhibits 11 major pieces from the collection, restored for the occasion. Agirrezabal notes they are "great in every sense, both in size and importance," symbolizing the "roots of our culture" that connect us to the territory.
Above these roots stands an "ethereal trunk," a spectacular wooden walkway floating in space and dedicated entirely to the Basque language. The museum considers language the "sap" of Basque culture. "All our culture is based on our language; without our language, we are nothing," states Agirrezabal. Inside, visitors immerse themselves in the history and evolution of Euskera through projections and iconic objects, including the 1571 New Testament by Joanes Leizarraga, one of the earliest documents written entirely in Basque.
The new museographic design also includes a room dedicated to political identity, displaying two fragments of the Tree of Gernika, a "symbol of Basque liberties and fueros." The tour continues through display cases exploring themes such as land, sea, clothing, and the collective, showcasing traditional crafts and ways of life.
The museum fosters a significant emotional connection. Agirrezabal explains that the pieces "are part of the stories of the people who visit us." She assures that "anyone, of any age, will see objects that remind them of home, their childhood, their family."
The visit culminates in the cloister, presided over by the Mikeldi, the iconic zoomorphic sculpture that has become a "museum amulet." Curiously, it is the only piece that remained in place throughout the entire renovation.
The museum has gained over 5,000 square meters dedicated to exhibitions. The total investment amounted to €20,397,401.53, funded by the Provincial Council of Bizkaia and the City Council of Bilbao. Approximately 800 professionals were involved in the renovation.
