Pictured: ACAB at a public, well maintained, outdoor gym.
I’m a long time Hexbear lurker. I came here as a lib from r/chapotraphouse and now I’m a lib who has read some theory. Thanks y’all!
I am Basque diaspora and trans masc. I had been planning to move to Euskadi (Basque Country) years ago, but with the rise of fascism in the states and the risk of being disappeared for being trans and openly anti-fascist I decided that I had to flee the country ASAP. I used all my savings, help from family, and a fundraiser to escape. I am extraordinarily lucky and beyond grateful to my found family and other loved ones. I hope to pay it forward.
I’m now living in a punk apartment in the middle of Bilbao, a historically anti-fascist region of Spain and a former victim of Franco’s reign of terror during the Spanish Civil War. The bones and memories of the Basque Partisans who fought and died for a better future are ever present.
A few facts about the Bilbao:
- Bilbao has a massive community center called “Azkuna Zentroa”
https://www.azkunazentroa.eus/es/
The center contains:
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A massive “climate refugee” space with heating in the winter and cooling in the summer for everyone to use, for free, as needed. Inside this space there is also clean bathrooms (nicest in the city imo) and an exhibition hall.
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A library featuring DVD’s, media editing centers, reserve study sections, a floor dedicated to comics, and a residency hall for international comic artists. There are books in Basque, Spanish, various other languages.
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A movie theater featuring independent films, locally made cinema, and more popular films for families. Tickets are about $5.50 on Tuesdays.
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For an additional cost there is access to a really nice, low light, gym and a pool. People with disabilities are accommodated with their own specialized locker rooms. Gym classes are free with membership.
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The old part of Bilbao is over 700 years old and is full of Basque punks. There is fierce support of Palestine with actions performed every week. The center of the old town is dominated by CNT: Confederación Nacional del Trabajo, more information can be found here (Sorry it’s Wikipedia) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confederación_Nacional_del_Trabajo
CNT has been setting up “Free Sectors of Bilbao” and emancipating abandoned churches and buildings for use as housing for the homeless. I have seen these projects throughout the city, this org puts the work in and has been active for over 100 years.
I could go on but there is so much I want to blab about. Euskadi isn’t perfect, but it is an oasis in Western Europe.
AMA and I will try to answer what I can.
Congratulations on escaping! How are the locals treating you?
OK I have a funny story.
When I arrived I stayed in one of the local working class neighborhoods to scope out my future apartment.
I got a lot of LOOKS from the locals, but no one gave me trouble.
When I went to Azkuna Zentroa for a membership:
Me: (In Spanish) Do you speak English? Staff: No, Basque and Castillano only. You want a membership? (Rapid Spanish) You need passport, address, fill out this form etc etc)
(The following day) Me: (In Spanish) Here is my information. Staff: (Looks at passport, sees basque name) (IN PERFECT ENGLISH) OH! You’re basque! Welcome home! Me: Yes, I’m moving back. Staff: You are going to learn basque, yes? Me: Absolutely. Them: Welcome back!
I found out people were giving me dirty looks because they thought I was British lmao
I found out people were giving me dirty looks because they thought I was British lmao
Reasonable
Have you seen the stickers and graffittis encouraging balconing yet? Lmao
Lol not yet but there is so much dense graffiti on every square inch of old town I’ll keep an eye out for it.
Euskaraz badakizu?
Kopuru txiki bat. Klaseetara noa.
Why Basque country? Do you have some prior links there or were you primarilu drawn to the political scene?
Prior links, but I enjoy the political scene as well. My grandparents were forced to flee during the civil war, and I’ve lived in the Basque Country for a few months at a time prior.
For me it was a breath taking moment when I first arrived as a teen, because I went from only knowing suburbia, big box stores, and alienation- so this place is very special to me because it showed me how things didn’t have to be that way.
The political scene helps too.
For me it was a breath taking moment when I first arrived as a teen, because I went from only knowing suburbia, big box stores, and alienation- so this place is very special to me because it showed me how things didn’t have to be that way.
Beautiful
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I can’t speak on the economy too much except that I know that it’s better than the rest of Spain, with a lower unemployment rate and higher pay overall. They make a lot of effort to provide government jobs, but it’s still a struggle. The housing prices have gotten out of control because it’s so nice here. Steps are being taken to create socialized housing (there isn’t much anywhere in Spain) and the local government is good about communicating with the locals about what’s needed and where, and buildings are in the process of being made.
I will have to do more research on the Basque and EU relations in order to deep dive into that. I know that they have been (along with the rest of Spain) putting out a fig leaf for China and I’m really hoping they BRIC up lol.
As a non-Basque it can be difficult to immigrate (but not impossible!) because the best prices/locations are from the locals who speak Basque. If you make an effort to learn some of the language it will open a lot of doors and I learned that if I improve my basque I will get discounts at bars and shops. They really, really want people to keep the language alive.
As for being a trans person here: I’m pretty far along in my transition so I don’t get clocked as trans. I did let my language school know and they were supportive. It’s supportive overall and it’s very left leaning here. I’ve seen openly trans people out and about and there were no problems. Bilbao has both a summer and winter pride, with winter pride being more hot-chocolate and churros based lol. There is a trans-medical program that is provided by the government and provides care for every step of the transition, per the patient’s needs. I have yet to try it, I am hoping to get hormone implants through this service.
There is a big pagan, “witch” culture and, fun fact, Basque is a gender neutral language. AFAIK gender is only used in the context of “male” or “female” shaped bodies in the context of medicine.
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https://www.bilbao.eus/inmigracion/gestion.asp?codges=82&i=en Here are the resources for learning the basque language. In order to qualify for state jobs including sanitation/healthcare/etc employees must know Basque at a C1 level. My plan is to start next year.
Question: is the username “BilduEnjoyer” a reference to the political party? If so, do you know of GKS? They’re cool
Yes it is lol, I just whipped it up as a joke. I don’t know of GKS and I will look into it- thanks!
They’re Gazte Koordinadora Sozialista, a fairly recent breakout from the Abertzale left in Euskal Herria, and their political scene is pretty dope, my org generally has good relations with them and they seem to be a lot more actually socialist than the now rather institutionalized Bildu.
BTW, what languages do you speak? Welcome to Spain! (I’m not from Euskal Herria myself but welcome there too lol I assume you’ll be loved)
I speak English and some Spanish. I’m currently in language school. I can read and interpret through listening decently, but my speech isn’t great. I know enough to get what I need, but not enough to have full conversations. With Basque I speak like a baby.
I will def check out that org once I’m settled enough. If you have any good tips about the local art scene as well I’d love to hear them. The graffiti here is amazing.
Honestly, I’m afraid I’m a boring-ass cishet white stem dude who isn’t really into the art scene, sorry :(
I can give you some music recommendations though if you wanna know a few leftist bands that are historically quite big in Spain
Yes I will take them
La Raíz is quite popular, they dissolved some years ago but they’re back on tour this year, some of their most popular songs are Entre Poetas y Presos (talks about the victims of Francoism) and Jilgueros (talks about hunting finance capitalists).
Boikot is quite a bit older but some people still like them if you’re into more of an older rock/punk.
Ska-P is good’ol ska, and some of their most famous songs are “Cannabis” (in favour of legalisation of weed), “El Gato López”, “El Vals del Obrero”, or “Jaque al Rey”.
Chikos del Maíz is a popular but dissolved rap band with leftist lyrics and quite good quality.
Since you’re in Euskal Herria, you probably already know Kortatu, classic Basque rock, their song “Sarri, Sarri” is well known and plays in a ton of parties.
Finally, older too, “Mago de Oz” are veterans of rock/metal with Celtic influences, and since the 80s/90s they’ve been very vocally in favour of LGTB+ thanks to the drummer Txus di Fellatio. Their song “Quien Quiera Entender que Entienda” talks about the struggle of homosexual love in a homophobic society and is touching and beautiful to me, and their song “Fiesta Pagana” featuring anti-christian lyrics (common trope in this band) is universally known and loved by millenials in Spain. Their Celtic influences come because they’re originally from Galicia, where Celtic themes and culture are still present even after millennia of different cultures in the peninsula owing to the relative isolation and underdevelopment of the region.
Hope you like at least one or two of the things I recommended :)
Excellent, thank you~~
Hell yeah comrade. Spotify has been feeding me hella Spanish/French/Basque punk (bands like Gurs and Blessure) and it’s great. Big congrats to you on getting out
What orgs have you joined/considered joining, or which ones would you recommend?
Another member recommended Gazte Koordinadora Sozialista and I will check that out once I’m more settled and can hold a conversation better. I’m still getting adjusted to my new life here. I want to contribute to the arts/media scene once I can.
