Talk:Bilbao
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[edit] Carlo Bilbao
Carlo Bilbao - guitar genius of the psychedelic rock band "Captain". one of the most underrated guitar players in the world. Invented the "Flaming slide Guitar" Famous for his guitar sound effects without really using any, his synchopated guitar phrasing and approach and his distinct tone. Influenced by blues and rock and roll. Born to Estrellita Decena and Jaime Bilbao on September 19, 1974. Has 3 other brothers Radough, Joaquin and Adlofo.
[edit] Official Name and Nervion
The ofcial Basque name of Bilbao is not Bilbo but Bilbao itself. Nevertheless Bilbo is a popular colloquial name for the city in both Basque and Spanish.
Also the official name for the province is not anymore Vizcaya (Spanish spellin) but Bizkaia (Basque spelling, slightly different pronunciation).
Another error is that the river is officially the Ibaizabal. This is matter of confussion because both rivers the Nervión (Basque "Nerbioi") and Ibaizabal meet shortly before entering the city and reaching the stuary (precisely in Bilbao). The Ibaizabal is a longer river and therefore, according to all geographic criteria should be considered (and actually is considered offcially) the river that reaches Bilbao but centuries of Spanish (Castilian) influence have made the Nervión much more known, because its course was approximately that of the roads that went into Castile.
Anyhow, officially at least, Bilbao has the official name of "Bilbao" both in Basque and Spanish, the province of which is capital has the offcial name of "Bizkaia" (though is known as Vizaya in other parts of Spain) and the river that ends its course in Bilbao is officially the "Ibaizabal" (meaning "wide river") and not the Nervión/Nerbioi, which is just an affluent of the former.
I can tell, because I live there.
No, it's not true, the Ibaizabal is shorter (60km). Nervion is considered to be the main river because it's longer (75km), and it's more acurate to say "Nervion-Ibaizabal" system, and Ria de Bilbao from where they meet to the sea. The historic importance you say is more a POV thing, since some prefer Ibaizabal to be the main river because it's an entirely Basque river. I also live there.David 10:08, 4 October 2006 (UTC)
[edit] House of Basque Government
The house of the government of Autonomous Basque Community is not in Bilbo (castilian Bilbao) but in Gasteiz (castilian Vitoria). Where did you take that it's going to be built in Bilbao?
[edit] Pais Vasco/Basque Country/Euskadi
I didn't go as far as to change it in the article, but why is Euskadi referred to in the article in castillian? Would it not make more sense to either call it 'Euskadi' or 'Basque Country'? If it has an english name, shouldn't it be used instead in the english wikipedia?
[edit] Motto
The "invicta" phrase is more a title or honour than a motto. It was conceded by kings, not chosen by the local rulers. --Error 21:59, 3 October 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Bilbo swords
This is a miscellaneous item of information, of maybe some interest: in Early Modern england certain type of sword was named as bilbo, in obvious reference to its Basque origins (Basque metallurgy was important even in Medieval times).
This name appears in Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor, when Pistol says:
- Ha, thou mountain-foreigner! Sir John and Master mine,
- I combat challenge of this latten bilbo.
- Word of denial in thy labras here!
- Word of denial: froth and scum, thou liest! [1]
The connection is well documented and I feel the issue does deserve a mention in the article. But I'm usure where to place it. Probably in a new section but should it be "Miscellanea", "References to Bilbao in English culture" or what?
Please discuss.
In relation with this, I intuitively think that the name of Tolkien's main character Bilbo Baggins, may derive indirectly from Bilbao, via Tolkien's own cultural references. Yet I can't document this assumption. Maybe there's some Tolkien-fanatic around that can shed light. --Sugaar 22:23, 24 October 2006 (UTC)
