The new space opens its doors to partners and agents who may be interested in collaborating and promoting initiatives in their field.
Eusko Ikaskuntza-Sociedad de Estudios Vascos has dressed up to present its new offices at number 19, Calle Bergara. In fact, this will be the main headquarters of the entity, after leaving behind the space occupied during the last few years in the Miramar Palace and after 106 years of itinerary. A fully renovated premises of 250 m2 divided into two floors where 10 people currently work but with ample capacity to host meetings and gatherings. Thus, it maintains its presence in all the capitals of Euskal Herria, that is, in addition to Donostia-San Sebastián, it is also in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Bilbao, Pamplona/Iruña and Baiona.
At the opening ceremony, the president of the entity, Ana Urkiza, spoke together with the mayor Eneko Goia. Also attending the event were, among others, the representatives of Eusko Ikaskuntza in Gipuzkoa, Manu Olariaga and Josemanuel Bujanda; the general secretary of the entity, Iaki Zabaleta; Yosu Arraiz, member of the Governing Council for the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa; Joseba K. Pérez de Heredia, member of the Governing Council for the Provincial Council of Lava; Javier Arakama, also a member of the Governing Council for the Government of Navarre; the former presidents of Eusko Ikaskuntza Javier Retegi and Iaki Dorronsoro (the first in the period 2002-2008 and the second in the corresponding period 2012-2020); also the former manager Josemari Velez de Mendizabal or José Angel Ormazabal.
In the words of President Ana Urkiza, "This new headquarters represents a change, not only because of its modern and contemporary appearance, but also because its intentions clearly open up to the street. We are now more accessible: we want to be a meeting and work place, which promotes synergies and multiplies the possibilities for closer collaboration with members and agents," she stressed. Furthermore, the existence of our own space "has been a long-standing aspiration for Eusko Ikaskuntza and has been present on the boards of directors of recent mandates," Urkiza added.
For his part, Mayor Eneko Goia has pointed out that "Having Eusko Ikaskuntza in the centre of San Sebastián is an honour. It is an essential entity for knowledge and thought."
On the way, different venues
This is the fifth headquarters of Eusko Ikaskuntza since its creation in 1918. In the first stage, until the outbreak of the Civil War, it was housed in the Palacio de la Diputaci n in the Plaza de Gipuzkoa in San Sebastian. After its restoration in 1978, it had offices at Calle Churruca, 7 (1982-1987), Calle Legazpi, 10 (1987-1994) and the Palacio Miramar (1994-2023). During the last fifteen months, the activity has continued provisionally in two auxiliary premises owned by the Society in San Sebastian (Paseo de los Fueros) and Usurbil (polgono Txikierdi).
The project of settling in a location that could be permanent had been entertained by successive management of Eusko Ikaskuntza for years, without the various proposals received coming to fruition. Finally, in July 2022, the General Assembly of members approved the move to what will from now on be the centre of operations of the institution whose motto is "Asmoz ta Jakitez" (for thought and knowledge).
Open doors to discover the space
Finally, the entity has announced several open days to promote the establishment: from October 23 to 26, from Wednesday to Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
