Associations

Emakume Abertzale Batza

First of all, we must not forget that this Association had its precedents in the "Ropero Vasco" and in the "Junta Nacionalista de Socorros de Nuestra Señora de Bego a", both in Bilbao. Emakume Abertzale Batza was born in Bilbao and from there spread throughout the country, in the midst of a gesture of propaganda, organization and activities of its competence, such as preparation of children (gaztetxus), cultural education, collaboration in the great national celebrations and work and social assistance and charity. The "Basque Wardrobe" functioned since 1908 under the presidency of its founder Mrs. Victorina de Larrinaga de Basabe. In 1933 it celebrated its silver wedding anniversary. He distributed approximately 4,000 and 5,000 articles of clothing annually to the most needy workers. The "Nationalist Aid Board of Our Lady of Bego a" was founded in 1921 by "Basque Youth" of Bilbao. At that time, Basque nationalism was divided into two groups, that of the Basque Youth of Bilbao, which constituted the Basque Nationalist Party, and that of the Basque Nationalist Communion. Basque Youth was chaired by Eli de Gallastegui when the Irish patriot Ambrosio Mart n O'Daly happened to pass through Bilbao on his return from Argentina. He was invited to give a lecture at the Basque Youth premises and he so dramatically explained the role of Irish women in the nationalist movement in his country that right there, he proposed the constitution of a Basque women's association similar to the one Cumann nan Ban Irish. 50 of the Basque women present signed up. This occurred in April 1922. The first Board of Directors was integrated as follows: president: Karmele de Errazti; vice president: Pilar de Eguirun; secretary: Alicia de Aretxabaleta; treasurer: Mar a Jesús de Ibaseta; Members: Petra de Gandarias, Jesusa F. de Arbeloa and Paulina R. de Orueta. Its president recounts this event in these words:

"With their eyes and hearts set on JEL, God and Country, the motto of the Basque Nationalist Party, founded by Sabino de Arana-Goiri, on a free route towards the glorious vision, they began their apostolate among Basque women, and a success The unexpected crowned the happy initiative promptly. From day to day the number of its associates increased; a high spirit of proselytism, fiery and courageous, invaded all of us, and soon we reached one hundred, then two hundred, three hundred, four hundred... The patriots were no longer alone in the fight, their wives, their mothers, their daughters and sisters, walked by their side, and suffered with them and enjoyed with them."

Its life span was short, as it only lasted until 1923, when the dictatorship of General Primo de Rivera took over. However, in such a short time, and always from Bilbao, he organized classes in Euskara, shorthand and typing, took part publicly in the great nationalist demonstration in Sukarrieta, where his flag was blessed; likewise at the evening held in honor of Arana Goiri at the Bilbao Philharmonic, its president Karmele de Errazti speaking for the first time; accompanied the beggars on their great mountain excursions; He promoted the adornment of balconies with ikurri as, and organized the body of spinners that would later decorate all manifestations of Basque art so beautifully.

Original textBernardo Estornés Lasa