Irrintzi
Encyclopedia
Irrintzi is an armed Basque nationalist group or cell that acts in the French
Basque Country (Iparralde in Basque). The word irrintzi refers originally to the traditional Basque folk high pitched scream used to express celebration or happiness.
The first known action of Irrintzi was sabotage in 2006 around Bayonne
(including a bomb against the summer house of the French Minister of the Interior Michèle Alliot-Marie
). Since then, the organization has attacked railroads, tourist sites, and political party headquarters, mainly by bomb. The Monégasque
chef Alain Ducasse
, with a restaurant near Biarritz
, was accused by Irrintzi of being a speculator and of "folklorice" the Basque Country, and was forced to leave the Basque Country due to the constant attacks that his restaurant suffered. Their declarations are usually closed by the slogan "Euskal Herria ez dago salgai" (The Basque Country is not for sale). This calling card was found in more than 30 attacks against tourist targets during 2007.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
Basque Country (Iparralde in Basque). The word irrintzi refers originally to the traditional Basque folk high pitched scream used to express celebration or happiness.
The first known action of Irrintzi was sabotage in 2006 around Bayonne
Bayonne
Bayonne is a city and commune in south-western France at the confluence of the Nive and Adour rivers, in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department, of which it is a sub-prefecture...
(including a bomb against the summer house of the French Minister of the Interior Michèle Alliot-Marie
Michèle Alliot-Marie
Michèle Jeanne Honorine Alliot-Marie, born 10 September 1946 and nicknamed MAM, is a French politician of the Union for a Popular Movement . A member of all but one right-wing governments of the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s, she was the first woman in France to hold the portfolios of Defense , the...
). Since then, the organization has attacked railroads, tourist sites, and political party headquarters, mainly by bomb. The Monégasque
Monaco
Monaco , officially the Principality of Monaco , is a sovereign city state on the French Riviera. It is bordered on three sides by its neighbour, France, and its centre is about from Italy. Its area is with a population of 35,986 as of 2011 and is the most densely populated country in the...
chef Alain Ducasse
Alain Ducasse
Alain Ducasse is a Monégasque chef. He formerly held French nationality. He operates a number of restaurants including Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester which holds three stars in the Michelin Guide....
, with a restaurant near Biarritz
Biarritz
Biarritz is a city which lies on the Bay of Biscay, on the Atlantic coast, in south-western France. It is a luxurious seaside town and is popular with tourists and surfers....
, was accused by Irrintzi of being a speculator and of "folklorice" the Basque Country, and was forced to leave the Basque Country due to the constant attacks that his restaurant suffered. Their declarations are usually closed by the slogan "Euskal Herria ez dago salgai" (The Basque Country is not for sale). This calling card was found in more than 30 attacks against tourist targets during 2007.
