EUSKADIKO ORKESTRA

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the Basque National Orchestra

“I vividly remember listening to a classically-trained musician play traditional Basque music on a piano as a kid – it was an experience that changed me forever. I longed to experience that again here in the U.S., so discovering the Basque National Orchestra online was nothing short of an amazing, beautiful gift.” – the reviewer, BEO Board Member

The Basque National Orchestra (BNO) was founded in 1982 as a nationwide orchestra committed to educating about symphony music from all periods, emphasizing the creation and expansion of Basque music. The orchestra plays over 100 concerts every season. It performs in the Euskalduna Concert Hall in Bilbao, the Kursaal Auditorium in San Sebastián, the Principal Theatre in Vitoria, and the Baluarte Auditorium in Pamplona. Their current Chief Conductor is Mexican-American Robert Treviño.

The BNO generously offers an abundance of experiences for those of us who aren’t able to enjoy their work in person. Included in their online library are collaborations with other musicians such as Huntza, Kalakan, or Izaro… or the exploration of a Basque composer’s identity such as Ravel, or a piece that incorporates the txistu such as Gutizia, or the incredible blend with Kepa Junkera.

Whatever your jam is, explore what Euskadiko Orkestra offers on their website and YouTube channel, press play, pump up the volume, close your eyes, and enjoy.

WATCH PERFORMANCES
SIT BACK AND LISTEN
EXPLORE THE ENTIRE DISCOGRAPHY

BASQUE COUNTRY: A CULINARY JOURNEY THROUGH A FOOD LOVER’S PARADISE

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a cookbook

“Growing up, Gateau Basque was a staple at any family birthday or dinner. After uncovering La Vina Cheesecake in Marti Buckley’s cookbook, it’s become a family favorite and is now part of the family-function dessert rotation! Even if you don’t enjoy cooking/baking, this book is filled with stunning photos of the Basque Country and is worth the read (would even be a great coffee table book for friends and family to peek at!).” – the reviewer, BEO Board Member


If you are looking for a great Basque cookbook, look no further than award-winning author Marti Buckley’s Basque Country: A Culinary Journey Through a Food Lover’s Paradise. Not only is it filled with recipes of iconic Basque dishes, but Buckley also intertwines stories and photos of the Basque Country, culture and customs throughout the book. If you can make it through a handful of pages without running to your fridge to whip up something delicious, you’ll find yourself reminiscing over your last visit to the Basque Country or thinking about planning a trip ASAP!

The best part: Buckley’s next book is all about pintxos and comes out April 9th. Entitled “The Book of Pintxos: Discover the Legendary Small Bites of Basque Country,” it has over 70 recipes, highlighting their story and the bars they were created in. You can pre-order wherever books are sold, including Amazon.

PURCHASE: Basque country
PURCHASE: THE BOOK OF PINTXOS

JOANES OR THE BASQUE WHALER 

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a trilogy of graphic novels

“Zubiaga does a wonderful job entertaining and educating his readers on Basque whaling throughout his historical fiction trilogy.  I enjoyed reading this trilogy, and have learned so much about the history of Basque Whaling. ” – the reviewer, BEO Board Member

Joanes or the Basque Whaler is a trilogy of graphic novels written by Guillermo Zubiaga. In sequential order, they are The Flying Whaleboat, Whale Island, and Priest of Pirates. Zubiaga introduces Garat, the narrator, and immediately begins giving the reader background on Joanes, the main character or Basque skipper. This character was inspired by the real-life whaler Joanes de Etxaniz from Orio, Gipuzkoa, who died in Canada in 1584.  

This historical fiction trilogy is loaded with exciting expeditions experienced by Joanes.  Not only does this trilogy focus on whaling, but it also includes Basque mythology, witchcraft, and piracy. Due to the content and language, I would recommend children be at least fourteen years old to read.

PURCHASE YOUR COPY

BASQUE HERITAGE CINEMA

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a short documentary

“As we launch into our 20th Anniversary of hosting the Basque Film Series, I thought it would make sense to learn a bit more about the history of Basque filmmaking. This isn’t just about what Basque culture is and means to its people, it’s about how the history of filmmaking has been impacted by the complicated history it has survived.” – the reviewer, BEO Board Member

“Basque Heritage Cinema” is an approximately 35-minute short documentary that walks the viewer through the cinematic journeys that articulate, as best as they can, the Basque region’s identity and politics. Director Rob Stone demonstrates not only the direct reflection of how the act of Basque filmmaking was impacted by its environment but also how the Basque culture was later expressed, whether by a single perspective of history or by romanticizing it. Either way, this film challenges one to carefully watch how Basque people are reflected in films and to really think about whether “being Basque” has been, or could be, truly reflected in motion pictures.

WATCH THE FILM HERE

WHAT AMATXI WHISPERED

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a children’s book

“The book resonated with me in two ways: As the child in me who is a daughter of immigrants, and as the Amatxi I am today who is working to build this bridge.” – the reviewer

“What Amatxi Whispered,” a children’s book written and illustrated by Zoe Bray, is a delightful story that captures the essence of an American-born child, Artemisia, who is made aware of her mother’s Basque heritage through her language and stories. And while she’s intrigued by it, Artemisia doesn’t fully comprehend, as an American, her mother’s heritage. However, a trip to the Basque Country to meet her Amatxi (her mother’s mother) for the first time, changes that. She experiences her Basque heritage through both nature and her Amatxi’s way of life and learns that being Basque is a part of who she is, her roots are with her wherever always, anywhere.  

*The book is written in English and Basque and suggested for 3 years and above.

BUY YOUR COPY TODAY

ZETAK

Posted on by beobasque in BEOpicks, Streaming Available

a Basque music group

“I searched for Basque songs online and stumbled on ‘Akelarretan.’ I played it a few times, and soon enough, it was stuck in my head. Now we love to play it, dance, and try to sing along though we don’t know Basque; it’s a simple, feel-good song that makes me feel happy. I’ve started listening to their other songs and have found them equally enjoyable.”  -BEO Board Member

ZETAK is a Basque music group formed in 2019. Known for their electronic music with Basque lyrics, today you can find ZETAK’s music with millions of streams on Spotify. The group members include Pello Reparaz on vocals (previously part of the ska group Vendetta), Leire Colomo on percussion, Gorka Pastor on keyboard and synth, and Iban Larrreboure on drums.

ZETAK’s latest album was composed and released in 2020, called Zeinen Ederra Izango Den. This fun music video to one of their songs, Akelarretan, shows good times with friends and family during uncertain times in 2020. 

ZETAK performs next on July 21, 2023, at the 58th San Sebastian Jazz Festival, 58 Jazzaldia.

LISTEN ON SPOTIFY
WATCH “ZEINEN EDERRA IZANGO DEN” MUSIC VIDEO

Little Brother – An Odyssey To Europe

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by Amets Arzallus and Ibrahima Balde

This book, written by Basque Bertsolari Amets Arzallus and refugee Ibrahima Balde, tells the story of Balde’s journey through West Africa in search of his younger brother. While he endured hunger, heat, human trafficking, and torture during his travels, he was still able to embrace the different customs and languages and develop friendships with people who ultimately helped him on his journey despite those adversities. This true story of determination and perseverance eventually lead him to Europe and “is a deeply moving, eye-opening novel that gives voice and a face to the refugee crisis.”

BORROW FROM THE BEO LIBRARY

Home Away From Home: A History Of Basque Boarding Houses

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by Jeronima Echeverria

Jeronima Echeverria provides a detailed understanding of why Basque boardinghouses, or “ostatuak,” were created and the importance of their operation to the immigrants who came to the United States.  She continues by sharing the history of each geographical location where the various ostatuak operated, providing historical references on locations, owners, boardinghouse layouts, and, where possible, personal recollections from boarders. This book provides a wonderful historical account and research of 500+ ostatuak between 1860 and 1950. The book is available to borrow from our library or available for purchase on Amazon.

BORROW FROM THE BEO LIBRARY

Euskadiko Orkestra

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by the Basque National Orchestra

By most standards, the Basque National Orchestra is a young symphony since it was formed in 1982. Their music catalogue is vast and rich, but what is a fun and luscious experience is traveling through their Basque Music Collection, a 15-volume discography that reflects Basque musicians and composers of international fame.

While the pandemic may have been the inspiration for the Brucknerian-inspired version of “Agur Jaunak” (click here to listen), Euskadiko Orkestra is the gift that keeps on giving, particularly for those of us who are not able to experience their work in person.

We encourage you to follow their YouTube channel, but also many of their recordings can be found on other digital formats such as iTunes and Amazon Music. In the meantime, to get your feet wet, we dare you to go to their website, pick an album, press PLAY, close your eyes, and take part in all the beautiful journeys so many Basque composers have created for us to enjoy. Happy listening!

VISIT EUSKADIKO ORKESTRA

Intimacy (Intimidad)

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a Netflix series

Looking for a weekend television binge? Curled up on the couch with a glass of red wine in hand and wondering what to watch? Well, Intimidad (Intimacy) is our BEOpick for that. Starring celebrated Basque actress Itziar Ituño (of Money Heist fame), Intimacy follows the story of Malen Zubiri, vice-mayor of Bilbao, as she navigates the male-dominated world of politics. Sex, intrigue, betrayal, scandal – Intimacy has it all. Yet, at the core, this BEOpick is a window into modern Basque urban life, highlighting the barriers that women everywhere face when standing against oppression.

The eight episodes of Intimacy are currently streaming on Netflix.

GO TO NETFLIX