Korrika
Encyclopedia
Basque Country (historical territory)
The Basque Country is the name given to the home of the Basque people in the western Pyrenees that spans the border between France and Spain on the Atlantic coast....
in order to celebrate and support the Basque language
Basque language
Basque is the ancestral language of the Basque people, who inhabit the Basque Country, a region spanning an area in northeastern Spain and southwestern France. It is spoken by 25.7% of Basques in all territories...
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The race is organized by the AEK
AEK
AEK may refer to:*Apple Extended Keyboard, a computer keyboard*Athletic Union of Constantinople, also known as AEK Athens, a sports club based in Athens, Greece*AEK Athens F.C., an association football club based in Athens, Greece...
, Basque acronym for the Coordinator of Literacy and Basque Promotion, and is usually scheduled to last two weeks. The first Korrika took place in 1980, and every race follows a different course, although it always endeavours to cover a significant proportion of the historical Basque territories. The race, which proceeds continuously without even stopping at night, usually has participation levels of about 600,000 people. In order to raise funds for the promotion of the Basque language
Basque language
Basque is the ancestral language of the Basque people, who inhabit the Basque Country, a region spanning an area in northeastern Spain and southwestern France. It is spoken by 25.7% of Basques in all territories...
, each kilometre of the race is 'sold' to a particular individual or organization, who will be the figurehead of the race during their purchased kilometre. This race leader relays an engraved wooden stick, preserved from the first race held, and adorned with the Basque flag or Ikurriña
Ikurriña
The ikurrina flag or ikurriña is a Basque symbol and the official flag of the Basque Country Autonomous Community of Spain.-Design:...
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Behind the race leader, the immediately following participants carry a banner bearing the race slogan Euskal Herria euskalduntzen. Ni ere bai! (Spreading the Basque language in the Basque Country. Me too!) The race is conducted in an extremely jovial, uncompetitive spirit, accompanied by music and general fanfare, with roads thronged with spectators. During the period, a great many cultural activities are organised to promote the use of Basque, with the support of the Royal Academy of the Basque Language
Euskaltzaindia
Euskaltzaindia is the official academic language regulatory institution which watches over the Basque language. It carries out research on the language, seeks to protect it, and establishes standards of use...
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The special theme of the race's 15th edition in 2007 was a tribute to Basque women and the unique role they have played in guaranteeing the language's preservation. The last Korrika started in Tudela
Tudela, Navarre
Tudela is a municipality in Spain, the second city of the autonomous community of Navarre. Its population is around 35,000. Tudela is sited in the Ebro valley. Fast trains running on two-track electrified railways serve the city and two freeways join close to it...
(Navarre) on March 2009, and finished in Vitoria-Gasteiz on the 5th April. The slogan was Ongi etorri euskaraz bizi nahi dugunon herrira (Welcome to the country where we want to live in Basque).
2011´s Korrika will be held from the 7th April to the 17th April, from Trebiñu (Araba) to Donostia (Gipuzkoa). The slogan is "Maitatu, ikasi, ari,...kalakari" (Love it, learn it, speak it,...kalakari). It wants to be an homage to all those people who love the Basque language, learnt it or are learning it now, and use it. Kalakari is a word invented for this event, to represent the persons mentioned.
Spin-offs
The Korrika has since inspired similar events in other European countries:- CorrellenguaCorrellenguaThe Correllengua is a campaign that's held annually in the Catalan Countries. Created in 1993 by cultural Catalan association Coordinadora d'Associacions per la Llengua Catalana , it has the aim of promoting the use of Catalan language...
in CataloniaCataloniaCatalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, with the official status of a "nationality" of Spain. Catalonia comprises four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. Its capital and largest city is Barcelona. Catalonia covers an area of 32,114 km² and has an...
(since 1993) - Ar RedadegAr RedadegAr Redadeg is a relay race modelled on the Basque Korrika. It takes place around Brittany over three days and three nights from Naoned to Karaez...
in BrittanyBrittanyBrittany is a cultural and administrative region in the north-west of France. Previously a kingdom and then a duchy, Brittany was united to the Kingdom of France in 1532 as a province. Brittany has also been referred to as Less, Lesser or Little Britain...
(since 2008) - RithRithRith is a relay race organised in support of the Irish language. It was held for the first time in 2010 and coincided with Seachtain na Gaeilge, the Week of the Irish Language...
in IrelandIrelandIreland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
(starting in 2010)