Abertzale (Basque pronunciation:[aberts̻ale]; English: "patriot", literally "fond of the fatherland") is a
Basque term usually referring to people or political groups who are associated with
Basque nationalism.
Although the term is synonym of "patriot",[1] its common use in Basque mainly refers to
Basque nationalism, whereas in the
Spanish languageabertzale (also spelled aberzale) means "Basque nationalist".[2][3]
The use of the term by members and sympathizers of
Herri Batasuna, and the fact that the followers of the
Basque Nationalist Party (Partido Nacionalista Vasco, PNV) call themselves jeltzales more than abertzales, has brought about a situation where in the Spanish language the word is at times associated with that particular
leftist current of Basque nationalism.
Several organizations past and present have used this word in their official Basque-language names:
Emakume Abertzale Batza (Women's Abertzale Organization), onetime women's section of the PNV, made illegal by the rebel junta in
Burgos during the
Spanish Civil War.
Euskal Abertzaletasunaren Museoa (Museum of Basque Nationalism).
The name Eusko Abertzaleak (Basque Patriots) is used by various parliamentary and town council groups of the
Basque Nationalist Party. In fact,
Eusko Alkartasuna was meant to be founded under the name Eusko Abertzaleak, but the Basque Nationalist Party registered this name first.[4]
Eusko Abertzale Ekintza (Basque Nationalist Action), a Basque nationalist and leftist party.
Ezker Mugimendu Abertzalea (Leftist Abertzale Movement): A political party in the French Basque Country.
Gazte Abertzaleak (Abertzale Youths): the youth group of the Spanish Basque political party
Eusko Alkartasuna, left of the
PNV but not aligned with ETA or Batasuna.
The term ezker abertzalea (abertzale left) is used to refer to parties or organisations which are Basque nationalist, but at the same time, left-wing. This may be Marxist, communist, socialist or social-democratic. The term is used to distinguish these organisations from the usual traditionalist or conservative character of the
Basque Nationalist Party.
References
This article draws on the
equivalent article in the Spanish-language Wikipedia, accessed December 6, 2004.