Ask a Basque Thread

What are some modern Basque bands that you like? Are there any that are very famous?
 
Ok, one of those political questions: if the spanish banks melt down in an "end-of-euro-and-the-EU" scenario, and the economy goes thorough one of those big collapses (think USSR/Russia 1990s), what do you think are the odds of local governments in the several spanish nations (I'm thinking the basques, the catalans and the galicians as the most likely) making a bid for independence while the central government is in a shambles? Will the sentiment be one of blaming the central government and getting rid of it, or seeing it as the future savior in such a situation?
 
In such scenario I, as a Catalan, see a Basque and a Catalan secession before 2020.

I don't see, however, anyone using violence here. Catalans and recently the whole of the Basques are wel aware of the fact that we won't achieve a secession violently and Spain knows pretty damn well that doing anything against a peaceful Basque and Catalan secession would not only mean being kicked out from the EU and the Euro (something irrelevant in this not-so-hypothetic scenario), but also being kicked out from the NATO and having real serious problems with an international community that would most likely side with the Catalans and Basques.

The main reason of a Catalan and Basque secession in this scenaio is that the central government would be perceived by both as the main burden that drives us into misery. It is already seen like that by both Catalans and Basques, so your scenario would mean that this perception ould only get worse and worse.
 
Do you view your Basque culture in the terms of it being one of the very oldest cultures in Europe?
Is it true that the Basque language has no active voice? Do you know of any languages that are related to it?
 
What are some modern Basque bands that you like? Are there any that are very famous?

hmmm,very famous, let's say no, you may find somebody who knows them out of Basque country, but there are not very famous basque speaking bands.

Some modern active bands that I listen to are:
- Ken Zazpi (pop-rock) tons of youtube videos
- Berri Txarrak (rock) they became "quite famous" some years ago in Europe as they supported Rise Against in the European Tour
- Gatibu (rock): they sing in biscay basque dialect.
- Fermin Muguruza (can not say the style), singer, producer, record labeler, songwritter etc. He started in a punk-ska band in the late 80's called Kortatu, with songs in spanish and basque. Band disolved and created a new project called Negu Gorriak (IMHO best basque band ever) playing rock, ska, hardcore, hip-hop & reagge. After some years band disolved and went alone.
- Benito Lertxundi (singer-songwriter): started in the 60's and still singing traditional and self created songs.
- Kepa Junkera: basque diatonic accordion (trikitixa) player. Plays folk music. Grammy awarded in 2004

There are some bands allready retired that are very interesting to me as well, for example:
- Itoiz: late 80's Pop
- Hertzainak: late 80's rock, punk & ska
- Exkixu: late 90's rock-folk
- Su ta gar: heacy metal, from 1987 since now, I am not sure if they are retired


There are some modern and active basque bands singing in spanish, very interesting for me "Fito y los fitiopaldis" (rock) and "Doctor deseo" (rock as well). La oreja de Van Gogh are basques are well, but they are comercial crap. I like some pop bands, but this band IMHO is rubbish
 
@Josu aizu! (please forgive my poor Basque, I am very ignorant)

Can you explain what you believe are the possible limits of the Basque speaking territories. I realise that this is a very difficult task. Does it include Biarritz (spelling?) and how far along the north coast of Spain?
 
Ok, one of those political questions: if the spanish banks melt down in an "end-of-euro-and-the-EU" scenario, and the economy goes thorough one of those big collapses (think USSR/Russia 1990s), what do you think are the odds of local governments in the several spanish nations (I'm thinking the basques, the catalans and the galicians as the most likely) making a bid for independence while the central government is in a shambles? Will the sentiment be one of blaming the central government and getting rid of it, or seeing it as the future savior in such a situation?

In such scenario I, as a Catalan, see a Basque and a Catalan secession before 2020.

I don't see, however, anyone using violence here. Catalans and recently the whole of the Basques are wel aware of the fact that we won't achieve a secession violently and Spain knows pretty damn well that doing anything against a peaceful Basque and Catalan secession would not only mean being kicked out from the EU and the Euro (something irrelevant in this not-so-hypothetic scenario), but also being kicked out from the NATO and having real serious problems with an international community that would most likely side with the Catalans and Basques.

The main reason of a Catalan and Basque secession in this scenaio is that the central government would be perceived by both as the main burden that drives us into misery. It is already seen like that by both Catalans and Basques, so your scenario would mean that this perception ould only get worse and worse.


Yes, I agree gangleri2001, if the economical crisis goes on for many time there will be a peak secessionism feeling, both in catalonia and basque country. We can say that Catalonia and basque country are the economical engine for spain and if the decisions taken in Madrid drive us deeper there will be more independence claims.
In fact, we have elections for basque autonomy and recent surveys are giving to spanish unionism worst results ever. Basque left nationalist are having a historical boom and basque right nationalism is maintaining. On the other hand PSOE is going to have a big crash, so they will have to left the goverment.
This is what is supposed to happen unless something weird happens, such as an ilegalization or Arnaldo Otegi is released from jail without charges, in this last case I am not sure what would happen, because if he becames candidate from basque left nationalism they may lost some left moderate votes, but may chase some radical ones. In any case if they lost voters, this voters will go to other nationalist option.
 
How closely related are the Basque and Catalan cultures? It is my understanding that Catalan is essentially Latin in origin. While Basque stands alone linguistically. Is this true?
 
Do you view your Basque culture in the terms of it being one of the very oldest cultures in Europe?

No, I view basque culture as my culture :)

Is it true that the Basque language has no active voice?

No, it is not, as far as I know (I am not very good at grammar), we have both passive and active

Do you know of any languages that are related to it?

No, we don't know. There are some studies that related basque to georgian (in former CCCP), to bereber or phoenician, but no relation is proven , there are many words taken from other languages, but there is no more relation.



@Josu aizu! (please forgive my poor Basque, I am very ignorant)

There is an expression in basque-spanish that says: "Pixka bat es mucho".
Pixka bat in basque means a little
es mucho in spanish means is a lot
This expression "a little is a lot" is used to encourage people who speaks just a little to speak more. Your Aizu!! is too much for me :)


Can you explain what you believe are the possible limits of the Basque speaking territories. I realise that this is a very difficult task. Does it include Biarritz (spelling?) and how far along the north coast of Spain?

Yes, basque speakin territories include Biarritz.

This map shows the basque speaking area in year 0 marked by the dot line

Euskera%2BArcaico.JPG


This one is more recent

581px-Percentage_of_basque_speakers_by_municipalities.JPG
 
How closely related are the Basque and Catalan cultures? It is my understanding that Catalan is essentially Latin in origin. While Basque stands alone linguistically. Is this true?


Quite different, however in some aspects there is a kind of a brotherhood because both cultures are under spanish government and some people would like to be independent
 
What are your feelings towards Castille?

A beautifull land with nice people whose governors (kings and so on) had always been more interested in their own lives than in the country, added that they have always been morons, playboys or both.
 
In such scenario I, as a Catalan, see a Basque and a Catalan secession before 2020.

I don't see, however, anyone using violence here.[...]

The main reason of a Catalan and Basque secession in this scenaio is that the central government would be perceived by both as the main burden that drives us into misery. It is already seen like that by both Catalans and Basques, so your scenario would mean that this perception ould only get worse and worse.

I do see some violence already, but it's coming from the provincial government. Frankly I don't thing you have any hope for independence so long as you keep trusting CiU to run Catalonia. Looks like during this crisis they'll remain ready to sell out to Madrid in exchange of armed backing against any popular protests, should it become necessary...
 
I do see some violence already, but it's coming from the provincial government. Frankly I don't thing you have any hope for independence so long as you keep trusting CiU to run Catalonia. Looks like during this crisis they'll remain ready to sell out to Madrid in exchange of armed backing against any popular protests, should it become necessary...

I agree in the point of CiU, it can be aplied into Basque Country with the PNV, they are nationalist, but I do not have very clear that they are independentist as party, I mean there is people willing for independence in these parties, but we can not say that it is the official position.
 
I do see some violence already, but it's coming from the provincial government. Frankly I don't thing you have any hope for independence so long as you keep trusting CiU to run Catalonia. Looks like during this crisis they'll remain ready to sell out to Madrid in exchange of armed backing against any popular protests, should it become necessary...

What violence are you talking about? Violence coming from Catalonia? Please elaborate because I don't understand that.

As for the rest, you're right. CiU and PNV are the main hindrance for Catalan and Basque independence. However, everyone in Catalonia is observing that CiU is slowly approaching secessionist positions. In its last congress more than 90% of its members showed to support an independence referendum and about 70% of them did also claim to support Catalonia's independence, which was unthinkable three years ago. CiU's members are increasingly approaching to secessionism and its leadership is having more trouble to keep their members deceived (to the point of having to invent euphemisms every week in order to avoid this topic). In the previous scenario, however, I do see Catalan bourgeoisie turning to secessionist positions out of intrest, which would most likely trigger a change in CiU's leadership.

But, as I've alread said, you're right. CiU and PNV won't do anything for independence unless they have no other option, which is increasingly likely given the worsening economic situation of Spain.
 
But, as I've alread said, you're right. CiU and PNV won't do anything for independence unless they have no other option, which is increasingly likely given the worsening economic situation of Spain.

And this, my friend, is the only truth about the Basque and Catalan independence.
If secesionism favours Basque or Catalan bourgeoisie in economic terms, then we will have a movement of these two parties to idenpendentist positions. Otherwise they will remain playing both sides.
Maybe we it will last more time here in Basque country, where positions are more "cystic".
There are some very secesionist positions inside the PNV, such as Joseba Egibar, who is currently being used as bloodhound, or people in EGI (PNV's youth wing) but people leading the party such as Iñigo Urkullu or Andoni Ortuzar are more confortable on saying that it must be done step by step
 
Now that you're already discussing the issue, could you describe what would change for Catalonia or the Basque Country economically should they become independent? Do they currently have to financially support other Spanish regions, similar to the Italian system? Or is it Spanish economic policy that hurts them?
 
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