Cultivating Basque and American Identities: Espe Alegria and the Basque Radio Hour
Tue, Sep 22
|CSI Fine Arts Center
How One Woman Sounded Basque Identity in America.
Time & Location
Sep 22, 2026, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
CSI Fine Arts Center, 315 Fls Ave W, Twin Falls, ID 83301, USA
About the event
Espe Alegria (1906-1991) has been described as a matriarch of the Northwest Basque community centered
in Boise Idaho. She involved herself in efforts to preserve and promote Basque language and culture, assist
with the arrival of new migrants from Europe, and offer translation services. Among Alegria’s most enduring
contributions was her time as host of the Basque Radio hour broadcasted on KBOI from 1955-1982. The
program was delivered in the Basque language and included news bulletins, information about birthdays,
deaths, and anniversaries, and traditional Basque and Spanish music in addition to popular American songs.