Land of creativity
Land of creativity Discover the land of Basque
Land of traditions
Land of traditions Discover the land of Basque
Land of inspiration
Land of inspiration Discover the land of Basque
Land of taste
Land of taste Discover the land of Basque
Land of arts
Land of art Discover the land of Basque
Land of culture
Land of culture Discover the land of Basque
Land of authenticity
Land of authenticity Discover the land of Basque
Land of Basque
Land of Basque Discover the land of Basque
Basqueculture

Basqueculture.eus is an official website designed for international audiences, focusing on various aspects of Basque culture, art, creativity, heritage and language (Euskara). It is a window into the culture of our land. We invite you to look through the window and explore the articles, stories and essays by the people who create and shape our culture.

Stories

Alain Urrutia Art

Alain Urrutia, challenging the passage of time

On one wall of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao hang 40 small paintings. Facing us, we see a landscape or a sparrow, a gaze, a feather, and a mirror reflecting the visitor in 19th and 20th century circular and oval gilded frames. The author of this time-defying mosaic is Alain Urrutia.

M-5 stapler
Architecture, design and fashion

Basque design proving its worth

This is the beginning of an amazing history, the history of the Basque people through small stories of production, industry, culture and intangible heritage.

Kirmen Uribe in his appartment in New York. Photo: Oier Aranzabal Literature and books

Kirmen Uribe and skyscrapers lined with books

New York is an impossible puzzle made up of pieces of the world. Immigrants erected the skyscrapers that caress the clouds, and built the imagery that symbolises the city. The history of New York has been written by immigrants and since 2018 Kirmen Uribe (Ondarroa, 1970), one of the most relevant Basque writers of his generation, has also become part of this mosaic of identities, languages and cultures.

Basqueculture.eus is also a gateway for industry professionals from other countries seeking information on the audiovisual, music, publishing, performing arts and plastic art sectors, as well as Basque heritage and language. This website will allow you to contact the main actors in these sectors.

Get in touch

BASQUE. IN 10 POINTS

Land

01. The land of the Basque language

Euskal Herria, which means ‘land of the Basque language’, is located in southern Europe, at the western end of the Pyrenees. It straddles both sides of the mountain range, through valleys and plains to the wild Cantabrian Sea. This ancient land boasts an extraordinary culture, and a language unlike any other in the world. The Basque Country, also known as Euskadi or Euskal Herria, is inclusive and welcoming, and everything is within easy reach. Having adapted to change, this modern society leads the way in Europe in terms of quality of life and sustainable development.

Language

02. Euskara, an ancient language of unknown origin

Euskara is the oldest living language in Europe. Its origin remains a mystery and it bears no resemblance to any other family of languages. It has survived for centuries, and in so doing, the Basques have preserved a rich, unique culture. A case in point is the robust health enjoyed by the Basque art of improvised verse (bertsolaritza), a formidable force in Basque culture today. Currently, some 900,000 people speak Basque. The language also enjoys a strong presence in the educational, cultural, social and digital spheres.

Society and traditions

03. A land of authenticity

This is a land of deep roots and unique traditions, folklore, and mythology. Together with the language, they occupy a prominent place in the collective imagination. But more than just a way of interpreting the past, our heritage serves as a basis on which to forge our future. Ours is a modern land where tradition and modernity live together in harmony.