Korrika Is Coming! But What Is It?

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Korrika is just around the corner, and I wanted to dedicate a blog post to this event because maybe you’ve heard of it but aren’t sure what it is. Or maybe you have no idea what Korrika is.

For years, I would see pictures of Korrika events at Basque clubs all around the world and I didn’t get it. Why were these people running? What were these jerseys they’re wearing? And what did it have to do with the diaspora?

So I’ve finally done the research to educate myself, to take a closer look at this Korrika and I see it’s an incredibly noble project. And in the Basque Country, it’s actually kind of a big deal.

Korrika is an event organized every two years by AEK, an organization that teaches Euskara to adults with the aim of reviving the language in the Basque Country. It sees hundreds of thousands of people all of the Basque Country band together to run a relay race nonstop day and night. The goal of the event is to promote awareness and use of the Basque language throughout the Basque Country.

Runners carry a baton adorned with the ikurrina (Basque flag) and pass it along every kilometer. The baton holds a secret message that is only revealed at the end of the run.

Not only is this event great publicity for Euskara, but it also serves as a fundraiser for AEK’s Basque language schools with local people and businesses sponsoring kilometers of the race. All of the money raised goes toward funding adult education in the Basque language.

The next Korrika will begin on April 4th from Gares, Nafarroa. This year in the 21st edition of the race, participants will cover 2,000 km (~1,243 miles) over 11 days. The race ends on April 14th in Gasteiz, Araba with a closing party, where the baton’s message will be read out.

Every year Korrika has a theme, and this year’s theme is ‘Klik.’ The organizers use this word to mean making the decision to learn and speak Euskara. Check out AEK’s energetic promotional video to learn more:

So this is a major event in the Basque Country. As I said, some Basque clubs in the diaspora choose to host their own solidarity events in support of Korrika during this time. They organize family friendly walk/run events in their communities.

I saw through A Basque in Boise that there was a Korrika event in Boise on March 30th. See their post for more details. And rumor has it there will be an event in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park this weekend.

I haven’t seen anything else from other Basque clubs, but if you’re near a Basque club please get in touch with them and ask if they’re having a Korrika event. They very well might be.

Don’t you love seeing such enthusiasm for promoting the Basque language?

I sure do!

CONTINUE READING:

• 25 Resources for Learning Euskara Online
• Euskara Thriving in the Basque Country with Euskaraldia
• How Many People in the Basque Country Actually Speak Euskara?