Sabin Etxea facts for kids
Sabin Etxea (which means "Sabin's House" in English) is the main office for the Basque Nationalist Party. It is located in Abando, a part of Bilbao, a city in Spain. The building is named after Sabino Arana, who was very important in starting the Basque Nationalist movement.
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History of Sabin Etxea
Building a Family Home
In 1857, a man named Santiago Arana built this house for his family. He owned a shipyard in Bilbao. His son, Sabino Arana, grew up in this house. Sabino is known as the founder of the Basque Nationalist Party. Many of his first political ideas came to life while he lived here.
Challenges and Changes
The house faced some tough times. In 1898, people who did not agree with Basque nationalism threw stones at the building. Later, the Arana family had to sell the house because they needed money.
A New Purpose for the House
Years later, in 1931, members of the Basque Nationalist Party in Bilbao decided they needed a central meeting place. They thought Sabin Etxea would be perfect because of its history. The party rented the building. Members paid for the rent through their fees and donations. Sabin Etxea became a busy place. People used it for cultural events and political meetings. They held Basque language classes, dance lessons, and talks there.
Celebrating Basque Culture
In 1932, the party planned a special holiday called Aberri Eguna. This means "Basque Homeland Day." The event was held on March 27, 1932. Many Basque nationalists from all over the Basque Country came to Bilbao. A big parade ended right in front of Sabin Etxea. They put up a special plaque on the building to remember Sabino Arana.
Facing Difficulties
As the Basque nationalist movement grew, the Spanish government tried to stop it. In 1933, some leaders of the party were arrested. The government also closed the Sabin Etxea building. However, the charges were dropped just two weeks later. The leaders were released, and the building reopened.
Becoming the Permanent Headquarters
For many years, this important building was empty after being bought. Eventually, the Basque Nationalists bought it again. They made it the official and permanent headquarters for their party. It remains a very important place for Basque nationalism today.
See also
In Spanish: Sabin Etxea para niños
