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The Etxepare Basque Institute is offering another edition of “Excellence i Basque Studies,” during hte month of July, as part of the Summer Courses at the University of the Basque Country.  The goal is to train professors, or professor candidates in the lectureships supported by Etxepare at various universities around the world.  This year, the course will honor Mariasun Landa, author of literature for children and youth and one of the most translated Basque writers along with Bernardo Atxaga. 

Donostia-San Sebastian.   The Etxepare Basque Institute currently has 34 lectureships in universities outside of the Basque Country, of which 27 lecturers teach classes on Basque language and culture.  The “Excellence in Basque Studies” course is hoping to reinforce preparation of these teachers as well as other who would like to become part of this network in the future.  The course is open to anyone interested according to the Institute.

This year the course has a special focus: the children’s and youth literature author, Mariasun Landa, who along with Bernardo Atxaga is the Basque writer who has been translated into the most languages.  The program will discuss children’s and youth literature, gender studies, reading habits in the digital age and the challenges faced by a writer in a multilingual society.  During the practical seminars, on the other hand, there will also be tools provided to overcome the difficulties faced in teaching Basque at the university level, as well as various teaching resources. 

Invited Lecturers

The course will be taught by experts such as: Olga Anokhina (National Center of Scientific Research, Paris), Francesc Xavier Pla i Barbero (University of Girona), Gemma Lluch (University of Valencia), Gema Lasarte (University of the Basque Country), Nerea Arruti (University of Aberdeen) and Mikel Ayerbe (University of the Basque Country).

The practical seminars, on the other hand, will be taught by three lecturers from Etxepare: Miren Ibarluzea (New Sorbonne University III, Paris), Gorka Mercero (University of Liverpool) and Aitor Arruza (University of Warsaw).

Literary reading at the Aquarium

On July 9th there will be a literary reading at the Aquarium in Donostia entitled, “Mariasun Landarekin solasean” (Speaking with Mariasun Landa) that will be open to the public.  Participating in the event will be writers: Berardo Atxaga, Juna Kurz Igerabide, Patxi Zubizarreta, Miren Agur Meabe, Miquel Desclot and Fina Casadelrrey and illustrators:  Antton Olariaga, Elena Odriozola and Jokin Mitxelena, who will draw live; all will be accompanied on the piano by musician Juantxo Zeberio.

The course will take place at the Miarmar Palace in Donostia and will have an academic value of 30 hours; registration is now open. 

Complete program available here.