Page 28 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Northern Spain

26  INTRODUCING NOR THERN SP AIN

Basque Culture

The Basques may be Europe’s oldest civilization.
Long isolated in their moun tain valleys, they
preserved their unique language, myths and art
for millennia, absorbing outside influences while
retaining their identity. Many families still live in
isolated, chalet-style stone caseríos, or farmhouses, La Ikurriña – the Basque flag –
built by their forebears. Their music and high- symbolizes Christianity (white cross) and
bounding dances are unlike those of any other a battle won by St Andrew (green cross).
culture, and their cuisine is varied and imaginative.
The ancient Basque laws were suppressed under
General Franco, but since the arrival of democracy
in 1975 the Basques have won great autonomy
over their own affairs.

Basque cuisine is among
the best in the world, and
the region is known for its
men’s gastro nomical
societies that arrange
cookery sessions and
banquets. Traditional dishes
are domina ted by fish and
seafood and exquisite
pintxos, the distinc tive
Basque style of tapas.

A tome of
Basque laws

Basque fishermen with
oars and nets

Bertsolaris are poets who
for centuries have sung their
improvised verses in rural
areas throughout the Basque
region. The tradition has
continued to evolve and is
now popular with a younger
generation in urban areas.
Traditional Law-Making
A ceiling in the historic parlia ment
of Vizcaya (Casa de Juntas)
in Gernika is covered by this
1985 stained-glass window.
The Museo Vasco
in Bilbao presents It depicts the great oak tree that
examples of Basque was a symbol of Basque rights
art and folk crafts, as and liberties, around which
well as scenes from repre sentatives once gathered
the everyday life of to engage in debate and to
the Basques. pass laws.

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