No Firing Squads in Spain

The Burgos trial demonstrated just how little the world knows about the Basques. Their language, unrelated to any existing tongue, has long been the despair of linguists. All we know for certain is that they are the last of an ancient race that, before the advent of the Celts, inhabited parts of Western Europe and the British Isles. Having no history, they must be regarded as a non-historic people. Still, they are a highly gifted race. St. Ignatius Loyola was a Basque, as are Miguel de Unamuno, Pio Barroja, and many of the political leaders of Argentina and Chile.

Eighty per cent of all Basques live in Spain, and they share a number of traits with most Spaniards, among them religious and political extremism and a strong aversion for the middle of the road. But Basques also cherish the notion that theirs is a special role in the Spanish community. “They are a blessed people—unless they are annoyed,” runs one old proverb. Their three provinces —Vizcaya, Guipuzcoa and Alava— in the past have always enjoyed special privileges, and it is the loss of these privileges that lies at the root of the present troubles.

EK

About the Author

Erik von Kuehnelt-Leddihn

The Burgos trial demonstrated just how little the world knows about the Basques. Their language, unrelated to any existing tongue, has long been the despair of linguists. All we know for certain is that they are the last of an ancient race that, before the advent of the Celts, inhabited parts of Western Europe and the British Isles. Having no history, they must be regarded as a non-historic people. Still, they are a highly gifted race. St. Ignatius Loyola was a Basque, as are Miguel de Unamuno, Pio Barroja, and many of the political leaders of Argentina and Chile.

Eighty per cent of all Basques live in Spain, and they share a number of traits with most Spaniards, among them religious and political extremism and a strong aversion for the middle of the road. But Basques also cherish the notion that theirs is a special role in the Spanish community. “They are a blessed people—unless they are annoyed,” runs one old proverb. Their three provinces —Vizcaya, Guipuzcoa and Alava— in the past have always enjoyed special privileges, and it is the loss of these privileges that lies at the root of the present troubles.