Organisation

With a degree in Communication Sciences from the University of Navarra and extensive experience in the cultural sector, Larraza (Tolosa, 1970) has held various positions of responsibility in the areas of communication and cultural management. She began her career as an radio announcer and writer at Herri Irratia, where she worked for three years. She then served for three years as head of Promotion and Dissemination at the Koldo Mitxelena Kulturunea cultural centre in San Sebastián, followed by eight years as head of Promotion, Communication and Publishing at Syntorama, an agency representing musicians. Between 2008 and 2012 she worked for the city of Tolosa as Coordinator and Director of Culture. In 2012 Larraza joined the team at the Etxepare Basque Institute, first as Communications Manager and in 2016 as Director for the Promotion and Dissemination of Basque Culture. Larraza has headed the Etxepare Basque Institute since 2018.

Imanol Otaegi (Errenteria, 1979) holds a bachelor’s degree in Audiovisual Communication and a diploma in Tourism, and has over 15 years of experience in the cultural sector. Over the course of his career he has worked on cultural projects of international impact and has extensive experience in the production of cultural projects in various disciplines. He worked for three years with Fundación Donostia / San Sebastián 2016 in charge of the international projects developed as part of the European Capital of Culture. He has also worked at the San Sebastian Film Festival as production coordinator for the Zabaltegi-Tabakalera section and the International Film Students Meeting. Previously, Otaegi worked as producer of various series and entertainment programmes for Basque Television (ETB), as well as for several dance and theatre shows.

Monika Madinabeitia (Eskoriatza, 1971) holds a degree in English Philology (1994) and a PhD in Western American Literature from the University of the Basque Country (2006). Since 2005 she has worked as a lecturer and researcher in the Faculty of Humanities and Education Sciences at Mondragon University. Madinabeitia´s research is centered around Basque identities, culture, migration, and diaspora. In 2018 her illustrated book ´Petra, My Basque Grandmother´ was published in collaboration with the Center for Basque Studies at the University of Nevada, Reno (USA).