Oharrak Spring 2009 Vol 1 Iss 1
SEE Oharrak Spring 2009 Vol 1 Iss 1
read moreSEE Oharrak Spring 2009 Vol 1 Iss 1
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Pablo Picasso's Guernica
April 26th marks the 72nd anniversary of the bombing of Gernika, which was one of the 1st ever bombings of a civilian population, a significant event in the Spanish Civil War and the inspiration for Pablo Picasso’s “Guernica.” Picasso’s “Guernica” was safely shown in New York during Francisco Franco’s reign and later transferred to the museum el Prado in Madrid. Basques have long demanded that it reside in Gernika, Bizkaia, its namesake, and many a Basque has a copy of this painting hanging in there home, commemorating the events that took place on April 26th, 1937.
It is difficult to understand a historical event, even one as important and life-altering as the bombing is and was, for many fellow Basques. So often we are inundated with reports of death and destruction on the news and yet some how it always seems that it is happening to someone else, somewhere else.
Growing up in a Basque family in Boise, ID, I was aware of the bombing of Gernika. A small copy of Picasso’s Guernica did, and still does sit in our family room right as you enter my parents home. Along side the painting are pictures of various generations of our extended Basque family, even one of my Aitxitxe Antonio in his military uniform from the Spanish civil war.
On one visit to my father’s home town of Munitibar, Bizkaia I spoke to my Atxtitxe about the war. I had been examining the baserri (farmhouse) and noticed that one of the major beams along the portal (entrance) seemed to be “newer.” That is to say, this beam seemed less worn and darker; not nearly as faded by time or the humidity. In asking about the beam Atxtitxe explained matter of factly that it had been replaced during the war. He related that during the bombing of Gernika, the entire valley had been carpet bombed and one of the bombs landed right in front of our baserri, Oloste, completley blowing up the huerta (garden) and cracking the beam which was then replaced. Luckily the beam supporting the fachada (face) of the house, which actually sat closer to the garden, did not give way, or the entire house would have tumbled.
No one in my family lost there lives that day, but hundres of people in Gernika did and hundreds of others were scarred by the images of watching there homes and towns destroyed. These weren’t the “surgical” strikes we are used to conjuring today or watching on CNN, if a bombing can ever truly be described as “surgical” or “precise”. The collateral damage is always there, and sometimes it goes much beyond the physical. Bricks and mortar can be rebuilt, trees can be re-planted, but for those that experience them the memories are eternal.
For the rest of us let us not forget the lives lost at Gernika, because Gernika is not alone. There are the Auschwitz’s, the Dresden’s, the Hiroshima’s, the El Salvadors, the Kosovo’s, the Darfur’s amongst many others.
Until we learn as a people, as a human race, to communicate and dissent without resorting to violence we will have many more Gernika’s.
To find out more about the bombing of Gernika check out:
General information on the Bombing of Gernika-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombing_of_Guernica
Boise Basques remembering the bombing in Gernika:*
http://www.democracynow.org/2009/4/24/on_anniversary_of_1937_guernica_bombing
*Thanks to Gorka Galdos, a long time SEE member and supporter for providing me the link above and inspiring me to write this post.
read moreApril 6, 2009 Board Meeting
Attendees
Danielle Bock – President
Joe Guerricabeitia – Vice President
Gaizka Mallea – Treasurer
Amaya Michelena – Secretary
Marilou Michelena – Board Member
|
Topic |
Objective |
| Funds Update | Current balance $— |
| 2009 Grant Update | Due in BG office May 5, 2009
Amaya to send email for next |
| Spring Dinner Recap
|
For 2010,
Mail Bought 3 Bought 20 Tables – Mus Separate |
| NABO Mus Tournament |
Chino, July 11, 2009
http://www.nabasque.org/NABO/mus_tournament.htm
Next |
| Fall NABO Meeting |
Columbus Day Weekend
Marilou is collecting |
| Club Member/Event Communication |
We will send communications via mail and request people to contact us if they prefer email. |
| Newsletter | Recap dinner, schedule of events, etc. Joe and Danielle to get draft newsletter together. Joe to send draft to board by Friday. We will print and stuff for Monday meeting. |
| Gaztealde status | Joe emailed Toni and she indicated that she had no applications. There is a very good chance it will be cancelled. Amaya will wait until the last minute to cancel reservation at Fort Warden |
| Website | Joe to recap changes – Google calendar will be imbedded in website. Google group to be created. Email aliases have been set up i.e. president@seattleeuskal.org goes to Danielle. |
| San Fermin |
Marilou knows a guy with an inflatable bull costume – Amaya to contact Txori for information |
| Movie Night |
Robert Huxley may have location information. Joe will follow up in a few weeks. |
| Next Meeting | April 13 at Amaya’s for Grant and Newsletter May 5 at Danielle’s |
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