euskalkultura.eus

Even if the motive of the trip was to participate in the ICANN conference, the director of the PuntuEus Foundation, Josu Waliño Pizarro, took advantage of his stay in Buenos Aires to meet with various representatives from the Argentinean Basque community.  In an interview with EuskalKultura.com, he stressed the importance of spreading the use of the domain .eus “also in the Diaspora.”

Buenos Aires, Argentina.   The director of PuntuEus, Josu Waliño, has been participating in a meeting called by ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigning Names and Numbers) in Buenos Aires.  And even if he stay here is short, he took advantage of his sty to meet with representatives of the local Basque diaspora to present the “.eus” project to them as well as to respond to questions about the new alternative.  EuskalKultura.com also met with the maximum authority of the PuntuEus Foundation who explained how Basque institutions in the Diaspora can also convert to “.eus.”

Let’s start from the beginning, what is the .eus domain?

-The .eus domain is the point that identifies the Basque community and its language online.  It would be like the registration of the Basque community on the internet.  It isn’t geographic, and this means that it can be used on any page that uses Basque or talks about Basque language, culture or the Basque community from any place in the world.  We consider the concept of community a broad one and since it is not geographic, it is perfectly valid for Basque clubs, associations or businesses in the Diaspora..

What are the advantages of using the .eus domain?

-The domain .com doesn’t mean anything.  Its origins had a meaning but it has been lost.  But, .eus does have one.  It identifies you as having something to do with the Basques or their language or culture.  It is a way to provide us with a place on the internet, to provide strength and presence to our language and culture online.

How do people without a website who want to use the .eus get it?

-The first step is to see if the desired name is available.  If it is, the second is to choose a registrar and access your website.  And then follow the steps available here.

Is it easy to make the change on an existing website from .com or .com.ar?

-Really easy.  In fact, if you don’t want, you don’t even have to make any transfers: .com, com.ar, .net and any other and .eus can coexist.  Anyone wishing to use .eus only has to register his/her name with this domain for example euskaletxea.eus and then path it to this page, without removing the .com.  In this case we have a page that is found in a specific place by two different pathways to get there.  And this process is very easy.  You can also only use .eus.  Nevertheless, to respond to doubts online, we have a manual  on our site that explains it all.

What is the current state of the .eus domain outside of the Basque Country?

-Right now 90% of those registered are in the Basque country with the remaining 10% abroad.  But, .eus is for everyone and we want to encourage everyone to use it.  Any individual can request it or Basque clubs and institutions from anywhere in the world.  The page doesn’t have to be in Euskera.  It can be about any Basque topic in another language.  In fact, we consider the domain to be inclusive that is to say that instead of us creating the criteria, it is up to the user to be reflected in .eus.  If anyone feels that they should be able to use .eus, it is very difficult for us to not consider their reasons valid.

What else would you say to encourage folks in the Diaspora to use .eus?

-I would say that we also need to find our place online.  The .eus domain identifies us and the .com or .net doesn’t.  And that is how a Basque in the Diaspora can express his/her identity, and origin through activities that take place at the Basque club, but also online using .eus.  It is about a specific domain for everyone who identifies as Basque or lovers of Euskera.  And associations, institutions and Basque clubs in the Diaspora are a very important part of the Basque speaking community.