Before a revolution

1994/06/01 Irazabalbeitia, Inaki - kimikaria eta zientzia-dibulgatzaileaElhuyar Fundazioa Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Multimedia

A few days ago Elhuyar Kultur Elkartea presented the CD-ROM Ezagutu Gipuzkoa. This fact is really satisfying.

The CD-ROM is a physically small thing, barely 12 cm in diameter. However, I think it is a very important step in Basque culture.

Why? you will ask. Just look at the history of Basque culture to find the reason. The unfortunate fate of Basque culture in recent centuries has been to lose or delay the train of cultural advances; written language, university, printing, language union, newspaper, radio, television... We have always arrived late and have clung to the handrails of the last train wagon that moves away.

However, at the moment when cultural expressions are facing a revolutionary leap, Basque and Basque culture, for the first time in their history, are in the opportunity to catch the train on time and in comfort.

Fourteen times, someone may think I'm in mannequins to greatness, and that's what I might think. Not so, and recently I have been able to check it.

A few weeks ago I was in Italy at the prestigious book fair in Bologna. In it the ebook and multimedia products had a special place and the main publishers of the world showed their products.

Seeing the products, talking to the managers I realized that they are no longer ahead of us. They and we are at the beginning of the multimedia race, all in the same line, with knees bent, shot and shot of the judge. Therefore, we will leave at the same time, some faster, because its cultural capacity is greater and others, slower, because we do not have enough strength behind. But we went out together, not when the others have already run 50 meters.

It is not, therefore, a challenge before our eyes. Some have already been aware of this, as the Diputación de Gipuzkoa, so I want to thank the Diputación de Gipuzkoa and, at the same time, my sincere congratulations. Thank you for your invaluable and generous collaboration in the multimedia career. Congratulations for showing that the Gipuzkoa County Council is looking forward. Because he has had the skill and commitment to the current challenge of Basque culture.