Basque writer Bernardo Atxaga to teach at Stanford University

Bernardo Atxaga, a prominent Basque writer whose books have been translated into more than 20 languages, will teach two courses on Basque culture in the US university of Stanford during the spring quarter of 2010.

Atxaga, a pseudonym for Joseba Irazu Garmendia, will teach at Stanford as visiting professor by virtue of an agreement between the Californian University and Society of Basque Studies Eusko Ikaskuntza.

The course The Hedgehog''s Awakening: Basque Culture''s Return will go over the reasons for the development of the Basque language from 1960, despite the predictions of Austrian linguist Hugo Schuchardt who said the Euskera, would vanish in first half of the 20th century. It will also analyze various cultural aspects, from phenomena like bertsolaritza—oral improvisation—to the literary, film and art production by new Basque authors.

The second seminar, entitled "Cultural and Political Change in the Basque Country", will study the work of leading figures of the cultural rebirth of Basque culture such as sculptor Jorge Oteiza, linguist Luis Mitxelena, poet Gabriel Aresti, and the musicians of the group Ez dok amairu, especially Mikel Laboa, and their influence on today’s Basque social life.