Cira Crespo Wins Santiago Onaindia Scholarship

Unearthing Forgotten Voices: New Research to Illuminate Early 20th-Century Basque Women Writers

A new research project, funded by the Santiago Onaindia Scholarship, will delve into the largely unacknowledged literary contributions of women in the Basque Country between 1899 and 1922. the initiative underscores a growing commitment to promoting intellectual creation and recognizing overlooked figures in basque literature.

The Zornotzarra City council announced on Wednesday the selection of historian and journalist Cira Crespo as the recipient of the XIX edition of the Santiago Onaindia Research Grant. The program aims to foster intellectual creation in Basque and encourage fresh perspectives on the region’s literary heritage.Crespo, a long-time resident of the Basque Country with a proven track record of disseminating Basque history through a feminist perspective, will lead the groundbreaking study.

Did you know? – The Santiago Onaindia Scholarship is named after a Basque historian and writer who dedicated his life to preserving Basque culture and language. Its a key funding source for humanities research in the region.

A Lost Generation of Basque Women Authors?

Crespo’s project, titled “The roots of the Basque women’s literary revival (1899-1922). A decolonial reading,” seeks to recover and analyse the earliest literary works penned by women in Basque, predating the establishment of Emakume Abertzale Batza, a prominent Basque women’s institution.The research is predicated on the hypothesis that a notable female literary generation existed before 1936, yet has been systematically ignored by historical and critical analysis.

“This project aims to challenge the existing narrative and bring to light the voices of women who were actively engaged in literary creation during a pivotal period,” a senior official stated. Crespo intends to employ a decolonial reading to reinterpret these texts, acknowledging their political, literary, and cultural meaning within the context of dual marginalization – stemming from both gender and linguistic identity.

The study will focus on previously little-known authors such as Juliana Agirrezabala, Karmele Errazti, and the collective known as “Lili artein.” A key component of the research will be an examination of Basque-language press publications from the early 20th century.

Pro tip: – Decolonial readings analyze texts by considering the impact of colonialism and power dynamics on both the author and the content. It’s a critical lens for understanding marginalized voices.

Reclaiming a Cultural legacy

The proclamation also highlighted the recent publication resulting from the 18th edition of the Santiago Onaindia Scholarship. Developed over two years by alexander Gurrutxaga Muxika and Lorea Jainaga Albizu, the research is titled Lourdes Iriondo, Violator and offers a critical reevaluation of Lourdes Iriondo’s legacy. the work positions Iriondo not only as a pioneer of modern Basque music but also as one of the first creators of children’s literature in Basque during the repressive years of Franco’s regime.

The study emphasizes Iriondo’s role in recovering unpublished materials and applying feminist and equality keys to her work, solidifying her place as a cornerstone of Basque cultural history.

Reader question: – How might recovering these forgotten voices change our understanding of Basque cultural identity and literary history? What impact could this have on contemporary Basque literature?