ZORTZI PROBINTZIAK

The association of Zortzi Probintziak (8 Probintziak) works on several axis.
The confirmation on behalf of the association Euskal Argentina at the time of it’s administrative consul on July 27, 2004 demonstrates the volume of tasks accomplished and to be accomplished.

Since July 27, 2004, 8 Probintziak and Euskal Argentina have decided to work together on several of the following issues listed below.

In effect, the first objective of the association is to support the relationship between Euskal Herria and the Basque Diaspora throughout the entire world. To achieve this objective, several things must take place, for example:

• The co-ordination between the associations (cultural and sportive) of Euskal Herria and the associations of the Diaspora (Euskal Etxe and associations)
• A genealogical research project (until now assured by Euskal Argentina)
• The search for isolated Basque throughout the world -Information concerning Basque communities throughout the world about Euskal Herria (culture, traditions and sports) by means of the internet at : www.amalur.org and through it’s discussion forum.
  
• The creation of the Diaspora House (which could be built or restored by young people of various Basque communities originating from different parts of the world) to:
  
• welcome families and groups coming to Iparralde
• open a museum of Basque emigrants
• provide a place for classes and vacation retreats
• The development of fruitful exchanges between the enterprises of Euskal Herria and the Diaspora for:
  
• employment opportunities
• economic (markets) and financial data

Why undertake such a project?

Due to several facts and questions. The fact ? More than 3 million Basque in Euskal Herri and more than 15 million world wide (Basque or descendants of Basque).

If the identity problem is important for those of us who live in Euskal Herri, how much more so for those who don’t? Among the numerous research and contacts established by means of the internet one can understand how important the desire to know ‘who am I’ and ‘where do I come from’ is.

One understands easily, by means of the internet again, that the tools of communication between Basques are being created more and more and not only by the Basques of Euskal Herri. The present project is something that we have been thinking about for several years because we thought that such a project existed already. We were mistaken.

What is amalur? Without taking into account the literary version, this term represents exactly a desire to come together on the part of expatriated Basques. My mother land, where I was born, which made of me a Basque, a Euskaldun. It also stands for solidarity between the Basques people and we think that it is up to us here in Euskal Herri to set an example.

Such a structure owes it to itself to exist and to be at the disposal of all new structures and those persons wishing to draw nearer to Euskal Herri, an extra service for our language and our culture.

Benoit Etcheverry