President Pradales announces creation of new Chair of Basque Studies at Sorbonne University

• President Pradales urges France and Spain to recognise the Basque language's rightful status within the EU
• Celebrations highlight 15 years of work by the Etxepare Institute: "Fifteen years spreading the voice of the Basque language and culture to the world, creating dialogues and bridging communities”

President of the Basque Country Imanol Pradales has announced that, in the coming months, the Basque Government will create a new Chair of Basque Studies at Sorbonne University, delivering a fresh boost to the international academic presence of the Basque language and culture. The chair, he stated, will bear the name of the artist Esther Ferrer, honouring "a career defined by freedom, innovation and the breaking down of boundaries".

President Imanol Pradales took part this afternoon in the event to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Etxepare Basque Institute, held in the main auditorium of the National Library of France (BnF). He was accompanied at the event by the First Vice-President and Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Linguistic Policy, Ibone Bengoetxea, as well as by the Director of the Institute, Irene Larraza, together with senior representatives from institutions, culture and the Basque Diaspora in Paris.

During his speech, the President once again called for the Basque language to be accepted as an official language in European institutions and urged Spain and France to recognise its rightful status within the European Union.        

"I pose a sincere question: what does Basque mean for Europe? Is it a language destined to end up in a museum display or a living communicative treasure to be cared for and preserved? Basque is an ancient European heritage. And it is the responsibility of all Europeans to preserve it. "In particular, the states encompassing Basque-speaking territories should promote its use and revitalisation, thus recognising the status that our language deserves. For this reason, it is more necessary than ever for Basque to be accepted as an official language in European institutions. Let's make it happen. All that is needed is political will.”

In this respect, Pradales stressed that "Europe has a unique opportunity to highlight the value of the motto 'United in diversity', recognising the official status of the Basque language in European institutions". For this reason, he pointed out that the new chair will allow "a further step forward in the creative potential, thought and universality of the Basque language and Basque culture".

The President also recalled the figure of Bernat Etxepare, whose legacy is 480 years old, stressing that "he was a pioneer in avant-garde linguistic policy" and that today "we are witnesses to his vision". As he pointed out, the 15th anniversary of the Etxepare Basque Institute "allows us to leap from the past to the future, celebrating a trajectory that has been able to project the Basque language and culture to the world".

In this respect, Pradales highlighted the 15 years of the Institute's work: "Fifteen years spreading the voice of the Basque language and culture to the world, creating dialogues and bridging communities. Fifteen years building bridges and promoting the global projection of the Basque language. Fifteen years of permanent opening of our language to the global stage".

For her part, the First Vice-President pointed out that Etxepare Euskal Institutua "is not merely an institution, but an essential tool for showing the world who we are, and the driving force behind the culture of a global and open Euskadi".

Special programme

Etxepare Euskal Institutua commemorated the 15th anniversary of its launch today in Paris with a bespoke artistic programme designed for the occasion, attended by more than 300 guests and a wide range of political, institutional, cultural and Basque diaspora representatives. The event was held in the main auditorium of the Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF), a setting of profound symbolic value: the institution preserves the only known copy of Linguae Vasconum Primitiae (1545) currently on display at the Basque Museum in Bayonne, the first book printed in Basque and the work of Bernat Etxepare, the author after whom the Institute is named and whose motto, "Euskara, jalgi hadi mundura" ("Basque, go forth into the world"), has inspired its mission since its origins.

Before the main event, the President visited the 'Bibliothèque de pierres' antiquarian book depository of the National Library of France. The choice of the BnF as the venue for the anniversary has a special symbolic value: it is the institution that holds the only preserved copy of Linguae Vasconum Primitiae (1545), the first book printed in Basque and the work of Bernat Etxepare. This volume is currently on display at the Basque Museum in Bayonne. The author's famous motto, "Euskara, jalgi hadi mundura", has inspired the Institute's mission since its creation.

The Etxepare Euskal Institutua is a public body of the Basque Government dedicated to the international projection of the Basque language, culture and Basque creation. Its work focuses on establishing lasting links with other regions and cultures, promoting quality artistic activities, supporting the mobility of creators and promoting Basque studies in the international academic sphere. It also fosters collaboration with cultural and academic institutions around the world.

With fifteen years of experience, the Institute reaffirms its role as an active agent in the defence of linguistic and cultural diversity, and in building bridges that connect Euskadi with the world.