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On 21st September 1919 the Basque Language Royal Academy, or Euskaltzaindia, was born, bringing it to its 90th birthday on Tuesday. The Academy was set up during a meeting at the Gipuzkoa Provincial Council between its four founding members: Resurreccion Maria Azkue, Arturo Kanpion, Luis Eleizalde and Julio Urkixo. During the meeting, eight further members were named: Txomin Agirre, Pierre Broussain, Jean Blaise Adema, Ramon Intzagarai, José de Agerre, Juan Bautista Eguzkitza, Raimundo Olabide and Pierre Lhande.

90th anniversary celebrations of the Euskaltzaindia began in 2008 with the 16th International Meeting last October in Pamplona. Since that first event, a further three have taken place until now: the first in the Basque capital of Vitoria-Gasteiz - in the Provincial Council of Alava - the second in Iparralde, or Northern Basque Country - in Hazparne, France - and a third in Bilbao, in the Academy headquarters on 17th July.

The next event will be in October in Donostia-San Sebastián, and will last for two days, with an artistic recital in the Kursaal on 8th October followed by an institutional event at the local council the following day. On 9th October, members of the Academy will meet with representatives from public institutions and various agencies from the world Basque culture.