Mugaz Gaindi 2008 conference

Alberto Santana Ezkerra and John Bieter attend the 5th Mugaz Gaindi International Seminar, “Basques in the West”, in Bakersfield California

The Mugaz Gaindi 5th International Seminar was celebrated in Bakersfield, California (Oct 22nd – 24th) attracting the leading Basque Studies scholars from universities representing the western United States and the University of the Basque Country.

The purpose of the seminar, coordinated by Steven Gamboa (California State University, Bakersfield) was to disseminate and update the most recent knowledge regarding “Basques in the West”. This topic was approached from these different perspectives:

In the opening lecture, William A. Douglass (University of Nevada, Reno) reviewed progress on the investigation of the Basque-American diaspora over the past four decades.

Joseba Agirreazkuenaga Ziorraga (University of the Basque Country) rescued the memory of the largely unknown Basque diplomat, Joaquin M. Satrustegui Bris, Consul of Spain to San Francisco during the years of the California Gold Rush.

Joxe Mallea (University of Nevada, Reno) presented the most recent findings of his extensive research project on the tree carvings done by Basque sheepherders in the West.

Argitxu Camus Etchecopar (University of Nevada, Reno) presented an in depth analysis of the Basque ethnic institutions in the western United States.

The contrasting views of Basques in American literature and America in Basque literature were addressed by David Rio (University of the Basque Country) and Marijo Olaziregi (University of Nevada, Reno).

Oscar Alvarez (University of the Basque Country) and Argitxu Camus Etchecopar (University of Nevada, Reno) clarified the intense and not always easy relationships between religion and Basque diaspora in America.

Xabier Irujo (University of Nevada, Reno) provided extensive firsthand information on unknown facts and hidden motives of Basque politics in America.

John Ysursa (San Diego State University) and John Bieter (Center for Basque Studies, Boise State University) offered complementary visions on three generations of Basque immigrants in the American West, underscoring their cultural values and their choices and opportunities.

Alberto Angulo (University of the Basque Country) unveiled the historical strategies of the early Basque associations developed in the Spanish Colonial Era and the important patterns of social behavior they settled for later experiences of the Basque immigrants.

Jeronima Echeverria (California State University, Fresno) lectured, in the very evocative historical atmosphere of the “Noriega” Basque restaurant, established in 1893, on Basque Boarding Houses in America.

Intense debates and question/answer periods followed each of the presentations.

Next, the participants focused on the future agenda of the Basque Studies Consortium Project. Four initiatives were identified: the development of workshop offerings; a tentative schedule for upcoming Basque Studies conferences; the possibility of creating an international journal of Basque Studies; and, as part of the conference conclusion, a written agreement for implementing further collaboration on Basque Studies, proposed by Alberto Santana Ezkerra (Basque Studies Center, Boise State University), was signed by the participants.

Boise State University agreed to take the lead on organizing a list of workshop offerings that can be accessed by interested parties. These titles and accompanying professors will make it possible to interested universities and organizations to offer credits and flexible programs in Basque Studies.

The draft design of the next “Mugaz Gaindi” conference was presented by Viola Miglio (University of California, Santa Barbara) and will be celebrated in November, 2009, on the topic of Basque whalers and fishermen in the North Atlantic and other issues in Basque Studies. Boise State University also agreed to host a Basque Studies conference in conjunction with Jaialdi in July of 2010.

Finally, the long time felt need of a regular academic publication on Basque topics written in English was addressed by many of the scholars who took part in the Seminar. It was commissioned to Alberto Santana Ezkerra (Basque Studies Center, Boise State University), Sara Velez Mallea (University of Nevada, Reno) and Joseba Agirreazkuenaga (University of the Basque Country) to study the creation of an International Journal of Basque Studies in the near future.

All of these activities represent the robust exchange that took place in Bakersfield and point to a very promising future for Basque Studies.