The International Day of the Basque Language, annually celebrated on December 3rd, was institutionalized by the Basque Government and the Royal Academy of the Basque Language (Euskaltzaindia) in 1995.
However, its origins go back to 1948, when the 7th Congress of Eusko Ikaskuntza-Society for Basque Studies reached the following agreement: “a day of the Basque language will be celebrated worldwide once a year on December 3rd”. Following that proclamation, Euskara celebrated its first International Day in 1949 to vindicate the universality of the Basque Language.December 3rd is St Francis Xavier day, a missionary from Navarre born in the 16th century. According to the legend, his last words before dying on December 3rd 1552 were in Basque.
On the occasion of the International Day of the Basque Language, public and private entities alike, as well as various associations, organize several activities (roundtables, exhibitions, workshops, conferences, cultural performances, etc.) to celebrate and support Euskara.
Last year Basques in London gathered at Trafalgar Square, invited by the London Basque Society (photo London Basque Society)
