“We are a people who resist fascism in all its forms; whose creative spirit is born from a multitude of voices, not just one; who were once in need of shelter so now offer it to others.”
Julian Zabalbeascoa (joo-lee-yan sah-bahl-bay-ahz-koh-ah), teacher, novelist
“The mere fact of our speaking Basque in public was an act of defiance…As children, it was instilled in us that we were the keepers of Euskara, and that to keep it, to protect it, was to speak it.”
Amaia Gabantxo (ah-my-yah gah-bahn-choh), writer, a flamenco singer, translator
“Maybe Basque language will not be saved with a state, but without a state for sure it will be lost.”
José Luis Alvarez Enparantza (hoe-say loo-ees ahl-vah-ress en-pahr-ahnt-zah), linguist, politician, writer
“With strength materialized in this place, with passion and heartbeats of joy, let us continue building this country from and with the Basque language.”
Maialen Lujanbio (my-ell-len loo-hahn-bee-yoh), oral poet
“I belong to a universe in which (Euskera) was the dominant language. What matters to me is the language, which is something as human as walking …it’s what helps us endure.”
Bernardo Atxaga (bare-nahr-doh aht-chah-gah), author
“For the Basque language the focus is on unity or “we.” It’s about “our hand” or “our land.” It’s “our.” It’s not “I” or “mine.” It’s “we” or “our” because it’s so much based on survival.”
Angeles Arrien (an-juh-lis ah-ree-yen), educator