euskalkultura.eus

Bilbao, Bizkaia.  Txalaparta Publishers has recently published Patria y Libertad (Fatherland and Freedom), by historians Alexander Ugalde and Joseba Agirreazkuenaga and Cubans Cecilia Arrozarena and Felix Julio Alfonso Lopez.   The book analyzes the participation of Basques in the Wars of Independence of Cuba between 1868 and 1898.

During this period, there were as many new-comer Basques and Basque-Cubans of second generation or more that considered themselves completely Cuban.  Their position in the conflict was diverse according to the authors: “Some were supporters of staying linked to the Spanish State.  Others preferred integrating into the United States.  Others yet, were firm in their struggle for the sovereignty of the island,” explained the authors.

Alexander Ugalde Zubiri (Bilbao) holds a degree in History and a Ph.D. in Political Science and Sociology.  The Professor of International Relations at the University of the Basque Country has authored various research, books, book chapters and articles on the history of the Basque Country, Basque Nationalism, Foreign Action of non-central governments, and topics referring to international relations and Latin-American and Caribbean studies.

Cecilia Arrozarena Uribe (Havana) holds a degree in French Language and Literature, she is a troubadour (including in her repetoir songs by Mikel Laboa, Haika mutil, Habanera by Xabier Lete, among others) and has authored a book on the Basque presence on the Cuban archipelago, The Oak and the “Ceiba”.  Joseba Agirreazkuenaga Zigorraga (Bilbao) is a full professor of Contemporary History at the University of the Basque Country while Felix Julio Alfonso Lopez (Santa Clara, Cuba) is a doctor of Historic Sciences, with a Master in interdisciplinary studies in Latin America, the Caribbean and Cuba with a degree in Social Anthropology.

The book can be purchased online through Txalaparta’s website here  for 21 euros.