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The Advisory Board of Basque Collectivities approved the proposal of September 8th as “Diaspora Day” at its meeting celebrated last Tuesday in Vitoria-Gasteiz.  September 8^th coincides with the anniversary of the first circumnavigation of the globe in 1522 by a crew that arrived at the port of Seville on that day, led by Getaria-born Juan Sebastian Elkano.  Once the relevant steps are taken, it is possible that “Diaspora Day” will be celebrated for the first time this year. 

Vitoria-Gasteiz.  The Basque Government proposed this date after a participatory process in which Basques local and those abroad were asked for their input on the potential celebration date.  The deadline for submitting ideas was December 31^st and a total of 46 suggestions were received.  These were eventually narrowed down to three, including the unanimous winner, September 8^th.

Lehendakari’s greeting at the beginning of yesterday’s Advisory Board meeting (video Irekia)

The three Basque club representatives from around the world Arantxa Anitua (Argentina), Lorea Palacios (Mexico) and Unai Lauzirika (Germany), all supported the September 8^th date “because of the meaning and the prowess of a trip around the world and its relevance to the Basque Diaspora,” Lorea Palacios Urquiola told EuskalKultura.com.

Besides this agenda item, attendees also listened and analyzed reports by Marian Elorza and Gorka Alvarez Aranburu, who summarized the activities undertaken in 2017 and presented priorities for 2018 that focus on the four-year plan established at the last World Congress of Basque Collectivities.

The meeting of the Advisory Board of Basque Collectivities Abroad was held on Tuesday at the Lehendakaritza and was presided by Lehendakari Iñigo Urkullu with the participation of the Secretary General of Foreign Action, Marian Elorza, who is the board’s vice-president, and the Director of the Basque Community Abroad, Gorka Alvarez Aranburu, who serves as the board’s secretary.  They were joined by representatives from various departments in the government as well as the Basque Parliament, the deputies of the Provincial Governments, other institutions and the three Basque club representatives who were elected at the last World Congress of Basque Collectivities, along with Benan Oregi, Andoni Martin and Manu Meaurio, technicians from the same department.