Euskadi and Boise have taken the first step towards creating an overseas campus

The Jaialdithat is taking place these days in Boise today has its big day, since this Thursday will host the main and most crowded events that are the stage of Basque culture. In any case, not everything is festive, since the members of the delegation displaced from the Basque Country Euskal Herria have held numerous meetings and visits in recent hours.

They have also reported that the Basque Government, through the Etxepare Institute, and the Boise State University (BSU) have renewed the agreement so that they can continue to teach Basque and Basque culture in Idaho, USA, in order to continue to bring the Basque language closer to anyone who wants it.

The lehendakari, Imanol Pradales, has made these announcements at a gala held at Boise State University. He has said that this type of initiative contributes to the 'Global Euskadi' strategy and allows the Basques to continue "building new bridges" that help them "be better connected." 

Today the state university of Idaho has its own center of Basque studies.  was created and promotedin 1974 , when the first group from Boise to specialize in Basque studies arrived in Oñati. One of the organizers of the exchange was Pat Bieter , who married Eloisa Garmendia of Larrabetzu and met Basque culture.

Pat Bieter's first student exchange connection led to the formation of the Boise State's International Education Program, and then inspired his son John to create the Center for Basque Studies .

The President himself recalled in his speech that story of Pat Bieter: "Pat made an important commitment to his community and acted as a political representative in the last years of his life, a commitment that we value very much," Pradales said.

With this agreement, the Basque Etxepare Institute and the Boise State University continue to work together to continue learning Basque and Basque culture at BSU. 

In particular, two agreements have been signed, one to launch a new programme of support for research on Basque studies and the other to ensure the future of the Eloise Garmendia Bieter Chair, which has been in place since 2015.

The lehendakari has called on the Basque diaspora to " be more active than ever. "" Our intention is to mobilize the diaspora as a key diplomatic element for the Basque Country and to help connect with global Basque networks. Our goal is to try to gain influence wherever possible, "he said.