Living a unique experience for the preservation of the Basque language, that's Korrika.
Korrika, zer da? What is this ?
The Korrika is a “relay race” organized by AEK, the training and education organization for adults (gau eskola), which travels the Basque Country for 11 days and 10 nights non-stop. Whether it's raining, windy, snowing or sunny, the Korrika travels 2 km through 500 towns and villages.
The first edition took place in 1980 from Oñati to Bilbao. It's 43 years later, the 23rd route will start on March 14 from Irun and end on March 24... in Bayonne!
On the day of departure, a message is slipped into the relay: a message written by a Basque-speaking writer whose content will only be read upon arrival. Thus, this message will be relayed from kilometer to kilometer, from hand to hand, from runner to runner.
Korrika: much more than a race
Organized every two years, Korrika is a major event in the Basque festivities calendar. Over the years, the number of participants has continued to increase. Today, hundreds of thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds participate.
The objective of this race is to promote the use of the Basque language by strengthening the mobilization of residents of the Basque Country and to raise funds to finance AEK (gau eskola) learning centers.
Each edition has its own slogan, this year it is “Harro Herri”, which means “proud people”. The message is clear: free yourself from complexes and prejudices to be proud of the Basque language which makes us a united people.
The increase in participants each year demonstrates “the extent of the commitment of Basque Country society to the reappropriation and development of its language”1.
How to participate ?
Basque speakers or not, everyone can participate in Korrika! For this, several possibilities are available to you:
- Help financially: buy the products of this edition, a bib, or make a donation. The money collected is used to finance the training centers.
- Run!! Whether it's 10 meters, 500 meters, 1 kilometer or even 10 kilometers, take part in the Korrika by running! Rest assured, the goal is to participate and help carry the message to the finish. And then, after the effort often comes comfort...
- Become a volunteer: help organize the passage of the Korrika locally or prepare for its arrival in Bayonne.
- Take part in the Korrika Kulturala (Cultural Korrika): during the months preceding the passage of the Korrika, several events are organized with the aim of developing and promoting Basque culture. Find the agenda HERE !
Learn Basque with AEK
AEK is an association which offers Basque learning or improvement courses for adults. It has around a hundred training centers across all seven provinces of the Basque Country.
The association offers different training formats:
- Classes are organized during the day or evening (3 to 6 hours per week), from October to June.
- There are professional training courses, residential training courses (24-hour immersion), and intensive internships (24 to 3 months).
More information here.
Training centers near Bidart:
– Arbonne: Arantzola: 05 59 41 97 31 / arbona@aek.eus
– Biarritz: 9 rue Jules Ferry 05 59 22 30 32 / biarritz@aek.eus
Photo credit: AEK Korrika