Page 330 - YGARTUA : The Work Of A Genius
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YOUR BIOGRAPHY IS QUITE SPECIAL. HOW IS IT A ‘GORLIZTARRA’
LIKE YOU IS BORN IN LIVERPOOL, OF ALL PLACES?
In 1936 my father, Pablo Francisco Ygartua, jumped ship with 22
other Basques in Liverpool and claimed political asylum. Due to the
military age of the Basque boys on board, they decided to jump ship
to avoid military service under Franco against the Basques. There
was a group of British in place to help the young political exiles
PAUL YGARTUA HISTORY relocate and place them with families so they could learn English
and become part of British society. During the Second World War
Gorliz, Vizcaya: The town of Gorliz was farmland, with traditional my Father met my Mother, the love of his life, Dorothy, a painter,
Basque farmhouses, the church and square situated on the free-spirited and open-minded. She was exceptionally gifted and
Bahia de Gorliz, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Basque not only adapted to the Basque customs but helped my Father
Country. Today, Gorliz has a population of 9,000, a thriving introduce these to myself and my brother. Eleven years after the
Basque resort town just 20 minutes from Bilbao. Spanish Civil War, Spain declared an amnesty for all the political
exiles. Upon this declaration from the Spanish government, we left
Amezaga: Family caserio (the farmhouse, Amezaga, is over England for a six month sojourn to Gorliz, my Father’s hometown; I
300 years old) El caserio, Amezaga, where my Father and his was four and half years of age.
brothers were born and now where my cousin Javi Ygartua, his
wife Josune Mendia (The Mendia Wine Family) and family have YOUR FATHER LEFT THE BASQUE COUNTRY VERY YOUNG, HOW DID
taken pride in renovating and restoring this traditional caserio. HE MANAGE TO KEEP AND SHARE HIS BASQUE HERITAGE WITH YOU
Pacho Francisco Ygartua –mi abuelo, was the grand chef, the AND YOUR BROTHER? HOW DO YOU KEEP YOUR HERITAGE?
Mayo Domo (head chef) with 100 chefs under him on La Reina You keep your heritage through your customs, cuisine, sports
del Pacifico in the 30’/40s, the largest ocean liner at that time. and language, the heart of every race is their language and this
He had the foresight to invest in this most precious farm belt just is why the re-introduction of the Basque Language, Euskera (the
above the Atlantic Ocean. This land took over half the mountain oldest language of Europe) into the school system in 19s, was an
side, just above the Atlantic with three farmhouses, Amezaga, el essential part of the preservation of the Basque Culture and the
Molino and Recaldes, a large shoeing farm for the work horses. independence of the Basque People. My Father did everything
During the Civil War the Guardia Civil destroyed the farm land possible to preserve his heritage, his culture and his connection
for a short while as they rode through the farmland using it for to his beloved land and family. Looking back, I must say, my Father
training and a place to keep their horses. My Father often talked had a profound influence on me. His strength, his pride of being
of my grandfather and grandmother, the character and strength Basque was the most predominant factor in my life. He talked all
of a young couple that took on a great deal of responsibility the time about the Basque country, growing up, the fiestas, and his
during difficult times. My grandmother ran the farm, with family. As he came from a farm, his passion was his garden and he
employees and her six children during my grandfather’s absence. grew produce that was typical from his region. My Mother learned
This left a great impression on me and still to this day I marvel at Spanish and learned how to cook the Basque traditional food. My
their tenacity and foresight. Father kept close ties with some of his comrades from the ship and
we would get together every month at the Basque Club in Liverpool.
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