Petit Bayonne, marked by the history of Basque nationalism and Euskadi ta Askatasuna (ETA), remains a symbolic place. It is naturally in this district that the Basque Museum has been located since 1922 and renovated in 2001. On Wednesday December 3, around twenty activists occupied the museum. Their demand is clear: prevent the departure of Linguae Vasconum Primitiæfirst book printed in Basque, loaned by the Bibliothèque nationale de France (BNF) for a temporary exhibition until January 11, 2026.
According to France Bleu, the activists installed banners and said they were ready to stay for several days. They affirm that this founding book of the Basque language must remain “in the country”. Its exhibition at the Basque Museum should no longer be a temporary loan, but a lasting presence. Among the occupants is Gorka Torre, activist of the Euskal Herrian Euskaraz movement. This collective defends the public and daily use of Basque throughout Basque society. His participation underlines the central issue of the action: protecting not only a book, but the language itself.
Sabine Cazenave, director of the museum, spoke with the activists. She recalled that the loan is strictly regulated and impossible to extend. A response rejected by activists, for whom the question goes beyond administrative rules. Shortly before closing, Mayor Jean-René Etchegaray and Deputy for Culture Yves Ugalde visited the site. They promised to organize, within ten days, a meeting between the Euskalgintzaren Kontseilua movement and a state representative. After this engagement, the activists lifted the occupation and left the area around 6 p.m.
