euskalkultura.eus

Bilbao, Bizkaia. The bilingual book by Gregorio Arrien Erbesteratuen oroimenak-Memoria y exilio (1982-2012) gathers stories of various groups of exiles such as the “Children of War,” residing both in the Basque Country and abroad, and how they were able to establish various organizations and initiatives giving way to a lot of memories of activities, conferences, publications, exhibitions, meetings and celebrations.  The collaboration of these exiles from abroad has taken place, especially on great occasions like anniversaries of the War and Exile, as well as requiring their presence often in the Basque Country.

Many in number and in initiatives, these groups have, since their beginning in the early 80s, the firm conviction that they were pioneers in recuperating and cultivating the memory of the exile since they think, rightfully so, that the work that they started at a time when relative questioning and evacuations were almost unknown, and in spite of the participation of thousands of children and adults.  We also didn’t know what they were capable of the “andereños” and adults that accompanied the children.

The beginning of the story

The story told by Gregorio Arrien begins when the “Pedagogical Collectivity Onura,” decided in 1982 to pay tribute to teachers in the exile as part of the activities of the ikastola Lauaxeta in Euba.  The huge tribute took place in June of 1983 and included thousands of exiles present along with authorities including Jesus M. Leizaola.  Speakers highlighted the work done by the “andereños” as promoters of a Basque, democratic and quality education in the middle of great difficulty.

The enthusiasm that surrounded the huge event in Euba, created various official associations, regulated by law and in hopes of developing and disseminating its collective memory to the entire society. The first was founded in 1986, and was called “The Association of Evacuated Children of 37,” as part of the 50^th anniversary of the Civil War. The second parallel association was created in the 90s, called “The Association of Retired Evacuees of the Civil War.”

Written word

On the 75th Anniversary of the War and the Basque evacuations abroad many large celebrations were organized, especially in Santurtzi, since that there is where the majority of the evacuees of 1937 left from.  At the end of the same year, the association “Children of the War in Euskadi” a group that for many years had been one of the main transmitters of its memory and history with the society was created.

It dissolved mainly due to the advanced age of the majority of its members.  Faced with this reality, the book puts on record the main activities and initiatives that it supported with the help of Basque institutions both public and private.