Basque writer (1942–2020)
Joan Mari Torrealdai Nabea (24 November 1942 – 31 July 2020) was a Basque writer, journalist and sociologist. He was a member of Euskaltzaindia (the Royal Academy of the Basque Language). He was born in Forua, Biscay, Basque Autonomous Community, Spain.
Career.
He has carried out bibliographic work on books published in Basque annually since 1977, with two main features:
Torrealdai conducted his research into Basque language and culture with an aim to foster the use of this language, and to catalyze its cultural production, in order to make it survive.
In 1967 Torrealdai became editor of the "Jakin" and "Anaitasuna" journals. In 1985, he presented the first degree dissertation done in Basque in the University of the Basque Country on Basque Public Television (ETB) and its use of Basque language.
In 1990, he joined the Administration Council of Euskaldunon Egunkaria to create and manage the first modern Basque newspaper; he was later elected president of its Administration Council.
In 1993, he compiled a catalogue of 20th-century Basque books. In 1998 he published "El libro negro del euskera" (The Black Book of Basque) dealing with the attacks endured by the Basque language over the centuries. In 1998, he wrote a biography of Martin Ugalde, the first President of the Administration Council of newspaper "Euskaldunon Egunkaria": "Martin Ugalde. Andoaindik Hondarribira Caracasetik Barrena" (Martin Ugalde, from Andoain to Hondarribia via Caracas). In 1998, he wrote "La censura de Franco y los escritores vascos del 98" (Franco's censorship and Basque Writers of the 98th Generation).
In 2003, he was arrested and tortured by the Government of Spain in a campaign against the newspaper "Euskaldunon Egunkaria". In 2007 he was appointed as a full member of the Royal Academy of the Basque Language. In 2011 he took charge of the Azkue Library of the academy.
In 2010, he was acquitted of all charges, along with all his companions, including Txema Auzmendi, Martxelo Otamendi, Xabier Oleaga and Iñaki Uria.
From 2015 to 2017 he served as Chairman of the PuntuEUS Foundation.
Prizes.
Among others, he has received the following prizes:
References.
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