The Etxepare Basque Institute has embarked on an ambitious four-year initiative called 'Ça colle au basque' to promote Basque culture within the vibrant French-speaking community, a collective of 321 million Francophones. This project was unveiled on March 19, 2025, at Zarautz Palace in Getaria, amidst a gathering of over fifty influential figures from cultural and institutional sectors.
At the heart of this initiative is a commitment to boost both the visibility of Basque culture and elevate the status of the Basque language. It will be executed through strategic partnerships and inter-institutional collaboration, emphasizing a core vision that encourages dialogue among the diverse languages, cultures, and identities within the Francophonie. Irene Larraza, the Director of the Etxepare Basque Institute, stated that the initiative aims to create a scenario where cultural diversity operates as a unifying force.
The 'Ça colle au basque' initiative will develop around four key pillars. First, it will work towards enhancing the presence of the Basque language and its creative talents at notable Francophone cultural events. These include prominent festivals such as 'Québec en toutes lettres' in Canada, 'Fest´Arts' in France, and the 'Foire du Livre de Bruxelles' in Belgium. By doing so, the Institute aims to strengthen the representation of Basque culture in these key venues.
Secondly, the initiative promises to unveil new funding mechanisms designed to support Basque creators and professionals. This will facilitate participation in essential fairs, festivals, and other significant cultural and artistic events across French-speaking regions. A highlighted feature of this aspect is the introduction of funding for Basque literature publishing projects aimed specifically at the Francophonie. Additionally, there will be provisions for artists to participate in performing arts fairs like the Cinars Biennale in Montreal and Rideau in Quebec.
In a notable future endeavor, the Etxepare Basque Institute plans to launch a new edition of the 'Itzultzaile Berriak - Nouveaux Traducteurs' in 2026, focusing on the translation of Basque literature into French. This effort is part of a broader strategy to create a network of translators that would further serve to disseminate Basque literary works abroad.
The third pillar emphasizes stronger collaborative ties with cultural and institutional entities in Iparralde, or Northern Basque Country. This region serves as a vital nexus between Basque culture and French-speaking nations. By enhancing these connections, the initiative holds the potential for deeper engagement with a wider Francophone audience. A prominent collaboration here is with the Malandain Ballet Biarritz, which aims to showcase top Basque stage productions to cultural programmers from across the community.
Lastly, the 'Ça colle au basque' initiative seeks to bolster the academic realm by fostering new opportunities for the promotion of the Basque language and studies at partner universities. The Etxepare Basque Institute is currently working alongside the prestigious Sorbonne and Sorbonne Nouvelle universities to organize a conference focused on translation within diglossic sociolinguistic contexts. This significant event is slated to take place in Paris in November, providing a platform for discussing the complexities of language interaction in the French-speaking world.
As this initiative sets off, it reflects a committed effort to enhance the presence of Basque culture—an endeavor both ambitious and necessary in a global cultural landscape where distinct identities frequently vie for recognition. By engaging with 321 million French speakers through partnerships, funding opportunities, and educational collaborations, the Etxepare Basque Institute is poised to make a lasting impact that celebrates and elevates the Basque identity.
