Daniela Albizu Berasategi (Urrugne, Lapurdi, 23 May 1936 - Bayonne, 26 February 2015) was a Basque-speaking teacher, writer, and councillor. She dedicated her entire life to the Basque language and culture.

Albizu in 2015

Biography

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Her father was from Alava and her mother from Guipuzcoa, having emigrated to Urrugne. Albizu developed a particular attachment to her mother tongue, Basque, after being prohibited from speaking it at school.[1]

Albizu taught at the Maurice-Ravel College in Saint-Jean-de-Luz.[2] In addition to teaching French and Spanish, she devoted herself to teaching Basque.[1] She promoted the Gau Eskolak initiative of Basque classes on the Gure Irratia radio station in Bayonne and was president of the Basque Studies Society.[3] She was the first nationalist councillor in Urrugne, participating in the organisation of the Herritarrak - Herritarron Alderdia [eu] group in 1982.[1]

Albizu wrote several books in Basque, including Hiru uhainak (1979, Elkar), Lau sasoi (2003, Maiatz), and Ilargi eta hontz sorginen ipuinak (2006, Pyrémonde). She also collaborated with Joseba Aurkenerena on a collection of poems and stories which were published in Iturri-aldeko nere leihotik (2011, Maiatz).[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Taberna, Goizeder (27 February 2015). "Daniela Albizu s'en est allée" [Daniela Albizu has passed away]. www.mediabask.eus (in French). Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  2. ^ "Urrugne : Actualités et info en direct : faits divers, météo, sorties, sport" [Urrugne: News and live information: news, weather, outings, sport]. SudOuest.fr (in French). Sud Ouest. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  3. ^ "Premios/ Primera edición" [Awards/First edition] (in European Spanish). Alkartasuna Fundazioa. Retrieved 15 August 2024.