A Window into Basque Culture

Tucked away in Getchell Library at the University of Nevada Reno, below a sign greeting visitors with a welcoming Ongi Etorri, is an enclave of Basque culture that begs to be discovered. If the bumpy topographical maps, curious tree carvings, bronze sculptures, and views of the colorful flags outside of the USAC building weren’t enough to signal the cultural feel of the place, one would only have to crack open a couple books to enter a window to Basque culture itself. Or, if you prefer, sign onto the many computers for patron use and find a series of online journals, archives, and portholes to other interesting links. The path you choose will shape the dimensions of your frame. Despite the topographical maps on wall, there are no other coordinates outside the dictates of your imagination.

The University of Nevada Reno’s Basque Library uniquely holds the most comprehensive set of monographs, serials, audio visual materials, photographs and historic archives found outside of the Basque Country itself. Depending on your mood or research interests, you may decide to browse the large selection of wine, cheese, and culinary books in search of the perfect Basque recipe, search through Spanish Civil War era classified communications from the republican front, or watch the latest surrealist DVD from Basque directors like Julio Medem and Imanol Uribe.

Basque Studies is a field of inquiry that offers the researcher a number of points of departure: it includes topics such as Basque emigration from Euskal Herria, immigration to the USA and the traditional customary laws called foruak in Euskara, the Basque language. This language is pre-Indo-European, and its origins remain a mystery. Some intellectuals argue that it has been spoken for over 25,000 years and certainly many words derive from the Neolithic Stone Age. The many words for tools, including the root haitz or stone, are a testament to this linguistic longevity. Basque traditional homeland culture was driven by the family, the family farmstead, a sense of collective nobility, an eclectic mix of superstitious belief and Catholic doctrines, sport, music and dance.

In case you haven’t yet heard the latest news of its 25,000 year old trajectory, the Basque Country is comprised of six historic territories and once was its own Kingdom of Navarre. Although the Basque lands and people have remained in their original place, nowadays they find themselves situated on either side of the Spanish-French international border.

In commemoration of the 40th anniversary of Basque Studies at the University of Nevada, Reno, the Basque Library, with the collaboration of the Center for Basque Studies, has organized the exhibit "Building Basque Studies since 1967". Starting April 2, 2007 and lasting for a two month run, the exhibit will engage visitors with a variety of topics that have shaped the US Basque community. 8 panels describe and illustrate important facets of US Basque experience, which include traditional culture, Basque emigration from Euskal Herria, the foundations of academic research in Basque Studies and research centers like the Basque Library. Additionally, two panels will commemorate the 70th anniversary of the bombing of Gernika on April 16, 1937. In its entirety, the series shows how Basque research incorporates not only the wonders of 20th century technologies, such as innovative transportation that has enabled many Basques to immigrate to the USA, but also the devastation of the world’s first air attack on civilians at Gernika.

The Basque Library invites students, researchers, and library patrons to visit the exhibit and to open up their own inquiry into Basque culture, politics, and society at the University of Nevada Reno.