Center for Basque Studies

Join us for a special screening of KARMELE, presented by its director Asier Altuna, who will introduce the film and take part in a Q&A following the screening.

KARMELE is a poignant story of sustainability, resilience, and dignity in the face of oppression, woven through culture, music, and art.

📅 Monday, May 11th
🕠 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 Craft Wine & Beer, Reno

Schedule:
5:30 PM – Grab a drink and meet new friends
6:00 PM – Introduction by film director, Asier Altuna
6:15 PM – Screening of KARMELE
Post-screening – Q&A

🎟 Free and open to the public
🍷 Drinks available for purchase

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience Basque cinema and meet the filmmaker.

The Center for Basque Studies and the University of Nevada Press present Basque American novelist and Professor of English Martin Echart, who will be talking about his novel White Dove, Tell Me. Come join us at the Rotunda of MIKC on April 30 at 3 pm!

Our next speaker at the Seminar Series is CBS faculty member Mariann Vaczi, who will speak about her anthropological work on sport in the Basque Country, Catalonia, and beyond! Come and join us at 3 pm, March 19, in the CBS classroom MIKC 305N!

Dr. Vaczi's Iberian Ethnographies seminar welcomed William Douglass and Sandy Ott, who spoke to students about the changes that took place in their field sites since they wrote their seminal work Death in Murélaga, and Circle of Mountains. Thank you, Bill and Sandy, for sharing your inspiring stories!

Please join us for a lecture by Dr. Sandy Ott, who will talk about her research, on Tuesday, March 12, at 3 pm in the Center for Basque Studies! The title of her lecture is “The Luxembourg Jews: A Peculiar Case of Refugee Migration and German Participation in Survival.” All are welcome!

“Things Your Mother Never Told You: How to Use Memoir, Research, and Historical Fiction to Tell Your Family Story”
The Center for Basque Studies Seminar Series is pleased to host Basque-American novelist Dale Erquiaga for a lecture about his family's life and heritage. The event is open to the public, all are welcome! March 5 at 3-4pm at MIKC 305N. You can also join us through Zoom: https://unr.zoom.us/j/89709775948?pwd=bUlsTWo4TDFQRGVMeHZsZmEyM1JkZz09

Join visiting Spanish muralist and Basque scholar, Leire Urbeltz, to help design and paint a mural celebrating our local Basque community!

There are multiple opportunities to participate, all are welcome! Basque heritage is not required.

BRAINSTORMING WORKSHOP: What's it to be Basque American?
Monday, October 2 at 3 PM, Rotunda at the Knowledge Center at UNR
Respond to the question "What is it to be Basque American" by using local Basque photos and inspiration. We'll be collaging under the direction of Leire to provide inspiration for the mural design. All materials will be provided, but bring your ideas!

ON-SITE WORKSHOP
Thursday, October 5 at 4 PM, Barbara Bennett Park
Continue discussing local Basque history and identity that will inform the final mural design.

COMMUNITY MURAL PAINTING
Week of October 10, exact dates and times to be announced, Barbara Bennett Park
Join Leire at Barbara Bennett Park to help paint the mural!

This project is a collaboration with the Center for Basque Studies, John & Geraldine Lilley Museum of Art, and City of Reno Arts & Culture

The CBS successfully co-organized a centenarian conference on Nevada writer Robert Laxalt on March 8. Many thanks to all the participants and everyone who came to celebrate the work of Nevada's unique writer!

Conference celebrates life of Robert Laxalt During a closing address for a conference celebrating the life and work of Basque-Nevadan author Robert Laxalt, his grandson Gabriel Urza brought out a leath...

Faculty member Dr. Mariann Vaczi was hosted on President Sandoval's podcast The Sagebrushers.

Sagebrushers ep. 10: Dr. Mariann Vaczi | University of Nevada, Reno President Sandoval talks with Assistant Professor Mariann Vaczi about growing up behind the Iron Curtain, her journey to the U.S. to play basketball and her interest in Basque culture and sports