The Etxepare Institute has organized a conference in Paris on the challenges facing minority languages in the field of francophony
As explained in the presentation on Monday, the meeting coincides with the 15th anniversary of the Basque Etxepare Institute and is organized in the context of the 'Ça colle au basque' initiative, a project launched to strengthen the projection of the Basque Euskera and Basque creation into the French-speaking universe.
The conference will be attended by 20 speakers from nine universities who will reflect in the French-speaking context on the challenges facing minority languages today. Thus, "the social function and linguistic diversity of languages in the diglosic state" will be visualized and proclaimed.
With the Euskera as a starting point and as a source of inspiration, the conference will begin "Dialogue between minority languages in the French-speaking area". Through three round tables and two major conferences, they will discuss the dynamics of translation, transmission and recognition of these languages, as well as the recognition of their rights.
The conference will be attended by international professors and experts in the fields of linguistics, translation, comparative literature, political science, sociology, anthropology and cultural studies, among others.
The Euskera and other minority languages of the French-speaking universe, such as the indigenous languages of French Guiana, the Creole of the Antilles, or the Breton, will be a first-class academic meeting at the centre of the "debate on minority languages".
"Great symbolic value"
The Director-General of the Basque Institute Etxepare, Irene Larraza, stated in the presentation that "the holding of this congress in the academic heart of Paris has great symbolic value: it means recognizing the Basque Country's place in the field of languages and recognizing linguistic diversity as a European value".
"By bringing together languages that are usually located on the periphery, the meeting will revolutionize the relationship between the centre and the margins for several days, bringing to the forefront the social role and vital strength of minority languages, "he explains.
Thus, in addition to opening up an innovative space for reflection and intellectual exchange on linguistic diversity, the congress will strengthen the alliance of the Basque Etxepare Institute with two international academic references (Université Sorbonne Nouvelle and Sorbonne Université).
15 years of career.
The main event will take place on 19 November at the National Library of France, chaired by the President of the Basque Government, Imanol Pradales. There will also be numerous political, institutional and cultural representatives and members of the Basque diaspora residing in Paris.
The event will take place in a space of symbolic value, as the only copy of the first book published in Basque is kept in the National Library of France ('Linguae Vasconum Primitiae' by Bernat Etxepare).
You might like
This year's masquerade begins on Sunday in Irurin and Ozaz
From the 18th of January to the 26th of April, fifteen sessions will be held by the young men of Zalgize, Mendikota, Ozaze, and Iruri.
Male violence is "normalized" in the Basque audiovisual and performing arts sectors
(H) A study promoted by the Emen Association and the Union of Basque Actors (EAB) shows that in the audiovisual and performing arts sectors "male violence is not the result of isolated cases, but of a systemic reality related to the structure of the sector".
The first book printed in Basque "Linguae Vasconum Primitiae" has its last day in the Basque Country
Bernart Etxepare wrote the first book published in Basque in 1545 in Bordeaux. The National Library of France has only one copy of it and has been exhibited in the last three months at the Basque Museum in Bayonne. Although various institutions and elected representatives have requested its stay, it will return to the library in Paris to keep it in the dark for three years.
Errobi gave his last concert at the Victoria Eugenia Theatre in San Sebastian
The historic Labour group, led by Anje Duhalde and Mixel Ducau, has offered its last direct at the Victoria Eugenia Theatre in San Sebastian. The Er￮ group became the pioneer of progressive Basque rock in the 1970s. Last year they started a farewell tour to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Er￮ bi, which has been a success in many villages of Euskal Herria.
These have been the main cultural news of the year
The year 2025 has opened unprecedented paths in the Basque music industry. We will inevitably remember this coming year as the year of sold out and great concerts.
The "blackout", the "military", the "flotilla" and other words that have "gone extinct" by 2025
The UZEI terminology and lexicography center has selected 25 words that have been mouth-to-mouth over the past year. Last week, UZEI itself and Euskaltzaindia chose "tariff" as the word of the year.
Aitor Etxebarriazarraga has worn the txapela
Onintza Enbeita competed in the Manomanist, the fourth final of Bizkaia.
Pantxoa eta Peio's second farewell concert: January 9, 2027 at BEC!
The couple will end their career with two concerts at BEC!: tickets for January 10 ran out in a few hours and the second has now been announced: January 9, 2027.
This year's word was "tariff" for Euskaltzaindia and UZEI
The Academy and the UZEI Centre for Terminology and Lexicography have chosen the name "customs tax on foreign products" as the term of the year. The equivalent form of the "customs tax" in the Euskaltziandia Dictionary has been used "much less often".
Gatibu's last farewell was the audience leader on ETB1
For two and a half hours, there was no shortage of music, dances and festive atmosphere in the BEC yesterday. The concert that will be locked in the memory of many that ended with the song 'Musturre sartunde' that brought the Vizcaíno group to success.