José Antonio Aguirre

José Antonio Aguirre was a prominent Basque politician and lawyer who served as the first lehendakari (head of the Basque Government) from 1936 to 1960. A leader of the Basque Nationalist Party, he played a key role in advocating for Basque culture, autonomy, and rights during a tumultuous period marked by the Spanish Civil War and Franco's dictatorship. Known for his commitment to democracy and regional identity, Aguirre balanced political activism with efforts to preserve Basque traditions and language, becoming a symbol of Basque nationalism and resilience.