Latest developments
We are still very much considering opening a permanent Basque centre in London. This is an issue
the Society has long looked at, and it is not , by any means, out of the agenda. We could say that just
about everyone in the Society believes that having our own place always available to organise
events would be a great advantage. It would certainly help to increase the number of events we
organise.
To this end, we did call a couple of extraordinary meetings on spring 2007 and we even saw a
couple of available properties that might fulfil the role. This was not new, since we saw some
properties in the past. However, this time we were able to gather a large number of people to come
and see these properties and to talk about this project. And so, some great new ideas that might
help to achieve this goal have been coming out lately.
First of all, we have the facts. We all basically agree the Society needs a place for:
- Getting together. The idea of providing good food and a good, relaxed environment is quite
general.
- Playing cards, listening to music, watch football, meet friends or new people.
- Organising parties.
- Organising music concerts.
- Organising cultural events, especially relating to Basque culture, and, as much as possible,
bringing our own people and customs from the Basque Country to London.
- Creating a platform to allow Basque artists and Basque people, especially those living in London,
and the UK, to develop and to introduce their skills to the UK and the world.
- Organising different types of workshops throughout the week, every week. This is a concept that
has been already successful in the past and there are some great possibilities here.
- Following on this line, and at a special level, providing a place for students of Euskara to meet
Basque people who are able to speak it. This would be a perfect scenario for all those who, as we
know, find it hard to practice and learn in London.
What is really new about this latest approach is that we have decided to create a team
dedicated to plan and organise this project, from a totally new angle. This team will be drawing a
plan, searching for a suitable place and, eventually, will start to run it till the Basque centre
is settled and secured. We have people willing to contribute with time and effort to get this new
approach going, but we would like to hear from anyone wishing to join the project. By contributing
to this project we will be contributing to the creation of a Basque centre in London. |