Idaho celebration of all things Basque aims to transcend politics

Idaho party to celebrate all things Basque

BOISE, Idaho — As one of the largest Basque communities in the United States prepares for the traditional Jaialdi festival in southwestern Idaho, a not-so traditional Basque president is expected to be among the visitors.

Patxi Lopez was elected last year, ending nearly 30 years of rule by the Basque Nationalist Party, which governed — to varying degrees — on a platform of independence from Spain.

Lopez is scheduled to visit this week. Some 15,000 Basques live in Idaho, making up one of the largest concentrations in the world behind the Basque homeland on the Spanish-French border and Argentina.

The visit is likely to be closely monitored for any sign of political protest.

But a festival organizer, Dave Eiguren, say protests are unlikely. Eiguren says Lopez is coming as a visitor and “has nothing to do with Jaialdi.”