An ikastola in the Basque coast town of Ciboure has been forced to close after the local maire refused to renew its lease and cut off the power and water. Primary schools are forbidden to teach in minority languages, such as Basque or Occitan. There are in fact many private schools which do that, often with financial support from local mairies. The local Occitan language practised by older residents is only taught as an option in secondary schools and is being kept alive by the young musicians and poets such as those appearing at Parisot on Saturday (see post below). Basque is a recognised language in north west Spain so the subject is more sensitive in that region than Occitan is here, but it is a shame that a part of a culture is threatened by a recalcitrant maire.
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