Respaldan en Bilbao el salto cualitativo del euskera

More than 270 people from all sectors of society gathered this afternoon at Azkuna Zentroa in Bilbao for an event under the slogan ‘Jauzia Gara’ about the qualitative leap that the Basque language needs. The Lehendakari, Imanol Pradales, announced that the Basque Government will organize a «Congress for the Revitalization of the Use of the Basque Language» in 2027 with the goal of achieving «broad consensus on the principles and basic axes around the Basque language in the coming decades.»

The announcement was made by the Lehendakari, accompanied by the First Vicelehendakari and Minister of Culture and Language Policy, Ibone Bengoetxea, along with 270 people from various sectors of society: business, finance, hospitality, unions, universities, training, culture, media, health, immigrant organizations, leisure entities, Basque language schools, language technology entities, public institutions, and political parties, among others.

The event, presided over by the Lehendakari, revolved around an idea: «one word is enough to carry the Basque language within. The challenge is to make it grow.» Through two videos, this concept was developed, explaining the trajectory of the Basque language in recent decades and the challenge for the future: «There was a time when it was difficult to find them (words). Basque words did not live on our streets. Slowly, we began to recover them. One by one. With great effort. Together…; Because there are still places where Basque words are missing. And because there are words looking for hearts to inhabit.»

The Basque language, a millennia-old language, «remains alive,» stated the First Vicelehendakari, who thanked society for its contribution to the Basque language: «to all those people who, generation after generation, used the Basque language to communicate, relate, get to know each other, understand the world, and build relationships; and to all those people who, coming from other places, made a commitment for their daughters and sons, grandchildren to learn Basque and keep it in their hearts. Thanks to that past, we are here today.» She also reviewed the various actions taken in the first year of the legislature.

Subsequently, six individuals, representing society, took the stage to share, through a single word, the challenge that the Basque language faces in their respective fields: Eneko Agirre Bengoa, director of the HITZ Research Center and professor at the Faculty of Informatics at the EHU, chose the word «vanguardia» («aitzindari») to connect the Basque language with the world of technology and digitization; Janire Atxurra Lekanda, a content creative, believes that the presence of the Basque language is essential («beharrezkoa») in the new ways we interact through social media; Luis Cárdenas Gonzalez, a nurse of Colombian origin and a student at a Basque language school, selected the word «resiliencia» («erresilientzia») to explain his experience with the Basque language; and Itziar Idiazabal Gorrotxategi, a linguist, researcher, and honorary academic at Euskaltzaindia, identified «euskalirakaskuntza» (teaching in Basque) as a guiding light for the future.

Additionally, Joxean Alustiza Usandizaga, president of the Fagor Group, believes that «development» («garapena») is the concept that links the Basque language and the business world, while Miren Arzalluz Loroño, director general of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao with an international background, thinks that the Basque language needs greater «recognition» (aintzatespena) to continue growing in the global arena.

The event also featured the participation of the Mirua group, composed of young musicians aiming to take the Basque language «beyond borders.» The song they performed is titled «Mugaz gaindi.»

The First Vicelehendakari and Minister of Culture and Language Policy, in her speech, reviewed the various actions taken in the first year of the legislature. She mentioned that «the Basque Government has listened to over 600 agents and 350 entities.» All this to understand the concerns of society and make the best decisions.

She recalled the steps taken in different areas such as labor and socioeconomics, knowledge and language learning, digital presence, social relations, and the promotion of the language.

The initial efforts were focused on knowledge and language learning. «We wanted to provide economic incentives to those who want to learn Basque, moving towards free access,» she said.

This initiative has led to a 20% increase in enrollments in the most basic level (A1) in the current academic year and a 73% increase among students aged 16-18 in the C1 level over two years. Last week, the Government announced that from next academic year, anyone enrolling in the basic A2 level at Basque language schools will be able to do so practically for free.

In the field of technology and digital world, the Basque Government has supported the launch of Euskorpora to integrate the Basque language into new developments in artificial intelligence and make it accessible to society. Progress is also being made in the research of language technologies through the Hitz Zentroa.

Furthermore, the development of the Ingura platform continues, offering the opportunity to learn Basque from any device, at any time, and from anywhere in the world.

In the realm of social relations, there is a strong focus on Basque-language media. The Basque Government has increased funding for these media outlets by 50%. «There is no better information than what you receive in your own language. Writing and reading in your language generates knowledge. That’s why we believe it is strategic to support media outlets, particularly those that provide information in Basque. It is a strategic commitment that goes from local to global,» she emphasized.

In the field of human relations, the Vicelehendakari announced the launch of the «ZuBIAK» project, aimed at linguistic reception, building bridges, social recognition, and achieving a more cohesive society.

In the socio-economic and labor field, the Basque Government launched the Lanera Project 15 days ago. Throughout June, meetings will have been held with the 252 municipalities in Euskadi. Encounters have already taken place with 90 municipalities to understand their needs and discuss how to introduce the Basque language in businesses, commerce, and hospitality in the vicinity.

In September, there will be a shared diagnosis, and from October, the Government will meet again with all localities to start collaborating with businesses.

Currently, the Basque Government allocates €2.2 million to companies through the LANHITZ call for proposals to increase the use and presence of the Basque language in their organizations. Last year, 186 companies received this financial assistance. Finally, it was highlighted that the leap must also be taken by «looking at the world» hand in hand with the Etxepare Basque Institute. It was also mentioned that the official status of the Basque language has been on the agenda of the European Union.