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Spanish Basque Country: A Unique Culture Explained with David Hosking

Spanish Basque Country: A Unique Culture Explained with David Hosking


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Can't make this time? A video recording will be sent to all participants after the seminar.

Europe has many nations within nations, and the Basque Country is one of the best known. What is it that gives the people of this part of northern Spain and southwest France a feeling of being different from those around them? This seminar looks at language, history, culture, art, sport, and food to arrive at some of the answers to this intriguing question.
What gives the Basques their particular character? The key to this question is language: Euskera, or Basque, believed by some scholars to be Europe’s oldest. We will look at the language and talk about its place today among Basques: held in high regard, even when not spoken. The Basque language is an important feature of this region, present in the names of places, foods, and people, even in areas where the language is used only by a minority.
The historical autonomy of the Basque provinces is another important characteristic. We will sort out counties, kingdoms, and lordships, visiting the old parliament house standing in the town of Guernica, as well as the modern regional governments in Vitoria and Pamplona.
Other prominent Basque characteristics also have a role: the Basque physiognomy, sports and also food, folk traditions, and symbols all play their part in giving modern Basques their own particular identity.
Led by an expert on the Basque Country, David Hosking, this interactive seminar about Basque identity is designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels. Participants will come away with an increased understanding of this varied and curious part of the world.

David, originally from Scotland, has been living and guiding in Bilbao and northern Spain for many years. David is a published art historian, professional art educator and translator (he translated into English one of the standard guides to the architecture of Bilbao). He has a particular interest in the way the architecture of a city can tell its story, and has a passion for this endlessly curious part of the world.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 12 reviews
50%
(6)
8%
(1)
17%
(2)
17%
(2)
8%
(1)
N
N. (New York, US)
The Basque Country NOW

This lecture is a quiet assessment of the autonomy of the modern Spanish Basque region and I recommend it highly. We learn how post-Franco independence plays out currently in the language, the political identity, and the arts. Before that: "Who was telling the story?" Hosking asks.

C
C.M. (New Haven, US)

Guest did not leave comment

P
P.R. (Québec, CA)
Great Introduction

A very good introduction to a poorly known region of Spain and France

D
D.B. (Cheyenne, US)
Basque Spain

Thorough review of historical, linguistic, cultural aspects of Basque Spain.

A
Anonymous (Phoenix, US)

Guest did not leave comment

Customer Reviews

Based on 12 reviews
50%
(6)
8%
(1)
17%
(2)
17%
(2)
8%
(1)
N
N. (New York, US)
The Basque Country NOW

This lecture is a quiet assessment of the autonomy of the modern Spanish Basque region and I recommend it highly. We learn how post-Franco independence plays out currently in the language, the political identity, and the arts. Before that: "Who was telling the story?" Hosking asks.

C
C.M. (New Haven, US)

Guest did not leave comment

P
P.R. (Québec, CA)
Great Introduction

A very good introduction to a poorly known region of Spain and France

D
D.B. (Cheyenne, US)
Basque Spain

Thorough review of historical, linguistic, cultural aspects of Basque Spain.

A
Anonymous (Phoenix, US)

Guest did not leave comment