© 2016 | UHD 32 min | TV-Documentary
Author & Director: Hansjürgen Schmölzer
Camera Operator: Gerfried Guggi
Editor: Uwe Seifner
Production: BSX-Schmölzer GmbH
Comissioned by ORF
Donostia/San Sebastián’s cuisine is considered one of the best in the world. And the story of how it came about is not just about cooking.
It is the story of the struggle for political and cultural self-assertion of the people in this region. Under Franco’s dictatorship, the use of their language and the practice of their traditions were largely forbidden. But what Franco could not forbid was cooking and eating. And this is how they developed a true culinary art form.
“Txokos” is what the Basques call their cooking cooperatives. There are hundreds of them in and around San Sebastián. They are unique worldwide and have profoundly shaped the society, the culture and the politics of the Basque Country in a self-assured, defiant yet subtle way. A society that is difficult for outsiders to understand: always ready to celebrate, humorous and extremely hospitable. At the same time, they are capable of arguing about everything at any time—from the right of peoples to self-determination to the one and only ‘correct’ way of preparing the tuna and potato stew marmitako.
You might almost think: “The Basques are crazy…”