Oregon Public Broadcasting

The worldwide Basque diaspora converges on Boise, Idaho this week.  The occasion is a cultural festival and party so big, it's held only once every five years.

Tom Banse sampled opening night of an event expected to draw more than 35,000 people.

Tom Banse / Northwest News Network

The worldwide Basque diaspora converges on Boise, Idaho this week. The occasion is a cultural festival and party so big, it’s held only once every five years.

The Basque Country straddles the border of France and Spain.  Immigration from there to the American West started with the California gold rush and peaked about a hundred years ago. 

Today, Idaho has one of highest concentrations of Basque-Americans.  An ethnic festival started more than 20 years ago by second and third generation descendents has morphed into a party big enough to justify charter flights from the old country. 

It even merits coverage by native Basque journalists like Igor Lansorena.

Igor Lansorena: "There is no other festival so big as this one here in Boise."

Tom Banse: "Anywhere in the world?"

Igor Lansorena: "No. I mean there are good festivals, but not so big."

The event is called Jaialdi, a Basque word meaning "big festival."  The 6-night run includes singing, dancing, sporting contests, an academic conference and even a visit by the president of the Basque Country from Europe.

Online:

Jaialdi 2010