Western Basque Festival Collection

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: BAQ103

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection contains the records and correspondence associated with the organization and operation of the festival on June 6-7, 1959 in Reno, Nevada, as well as newspaper articles in English and French about the event. There are also newspaper articles and a VHS Tape of the 1999 Basque Festival in Reno and a letter opener with a Basque symbol on it.

Dates

1959-1999

Language

Materials primarily in English, with some French and a smaller amount in Spanish and Basque

Conditions Governing Access - Restrictions

Collection is open for research. Materials must be used on-site.

Biographical / Historical - Biographical Note

The Western Basque Festival of June 6-7, 1959 was an important milestone for the Basque-American community in terms of affirming the community's cultural heritage and contribution to the development of the American West to a wider audience. It was also important in that it was the first time leading Basques came together to organize an event that attracted a wide swath of Basques from across the Western United States and it showed that going forward the Basque community could organize and play a greater role in American culture.

References:

Saitua, Iker. "1959 Basque Festival: The Woodstock of the Basque-American community in the West." Elko Daily Free Press Jul 17, 2018. Accessed Arpil 11, 2019. https://elkodaily.com/lifestyles/basque-festival-the-woodstock-of-the-basque-american-community-in/article_471203c4-c5f5-5d7d-b903-10e5d0bdc176.html

Extent

1.50 Cubic Feet (2 boxes)

Additional Description

Abstract

The Western Basque Festival held in Reno, Nevada, June 6-7, 1959 was the first Basque Festival held in the United States and was an important source of pride for the Basque-American community. The Western Basque Festival collection consists of correspondence and records associated with the organization and operation of the festival, plus newspaper clippings about the event primarily in English and French. There are also newspaper clippings in Spanish, English and Basque as well as a VHS tape from Basque Television about the Basque Festival held in Reno in 1999.