500 years of the Fuero of Bizkaia and the Treasury (1526–2026)
International Congress | Bilbao, April 27–28–29, 2026
Bizkaia Aretoa - University of the Basque Country (EHU)
Fueros and Treasury of Biscay
The Reform of 1526, a Fuero for Modern Times
On April 5, 1526, the General Assembly of Biscay appointed a commission to undertake the reform of the Fuero of Biscay.
On August 21, 1526, a reformed or new Fuero was created, and the Fuero of 1452 subsequently became the Fuero Viejo (Old Fuero). The preamble stated that the Fuero Viejo (Old Fuero) had been “written and organized at a time when there was not so much peace and justice,” and that the Fuero, renewed for modern times, was urgently needed because in 1527, “the Emperor’s ratification” of Charles I, Lord of Biscay and King of Castile, was obtained, as well as the printing license, which was issued in 1528 in Burgos.
World History of Bizkaia
In this congress, we aim to analyze the 500 years of evolution and ups and downs of the Fuero and Biscayan society, taking into account that the Foral Treasury is the stronghold of Bizkaia’s authority and government. Furthermore, all Bizkaian citizens could benefit from the Fuero of Bizkaia, regardless of their place of residence. Therefore, the results of this congress can also serve to lay the foundations for a “world history of Bizkaia,” following the model of Patrick Boucheron’s book.
The program will address all aspects of the Fuero and its evolution to the present day: institutionalization and political governance of Bizkaia, General Assemblies, the Foral Treasury, all areas of the economy, private law, society, daily life, population and sociability, places of memory, intangible heritage, festivals and popular culture, music, and lives that have made history in Bizkaia, etc.
Submission of Proposals
We invite researchers to submit their contributions (title, author(s), academic affiliation, and a 200-word abstract) to the following address: ituna@ehu.eus
Ituna Center for Basque Economic Agreement and Fiscal Federalism Studies (EHU).
Faculty of Social Sciences and Communication (Leioa, +34946 01 22 40) and Faculty of Economics and Business (Sarriko, Bilbao).
Submission deadline: November 30, 2025.
The Congress Scientific Committee will evaluate the proposals received and reserves the right to finalize the final program.
Organizing Committee
Ituna Center for Basque Economic Agreement and Fiscal Federalism Studies (EHU).
Established research groups at the University of the Basque Country / Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea:
- Biography&Parliament.
- Basque Country, Europe, and America: Atlantic Links and Relations (GIU 21/062)
- Ad Concordiam – Association for the Promotion and Dissemination of Economic Agreement.
Congress Registration
If you would like to attend the International Congress 500 years of the Fuero of Bizkaia and the Treasury (1526–2026), which will be held at the Bizkaia Aretoa of the University of the Basque Country (EHU) from April 27 to 29, 2026, in Bilbao, please fill out the following registration form.
Congress Program
Institutionalization, Economy, Society, and Culture of Bizkaia
The program will address all aspects of the Fuero and its evolution to the present day: Institutionalization and political government of Bizkaia, General Assemblies, regional treasury, economy, private law, society, daily life, settlement and sociability, places of memory, intangible heritage, festivals and popular culture, music, and lives that have made history in Bizkaia.
Conferences at the Congress
The conferences of the International Congress 500 years of the Fuero of Bizkaia and the Treasury (1526–2026) will be held in the Baroja Auditorium of the Bizkaia Aretoa of the University of the Basque Country (EHU) between April 27 and 29, 2026.
April 27
Bizkaiko foru eta ogasunaren 500 urte (1526-2026)
Joseba Agirreazkuenaga Zigorraga
Ekonomia Itunaren eta Foru Ogasunen Ikerketarako Ituna Agiritegiko Zuzendaria
- April 27
- 12:00
April 28
Bizkaiko foru eta ogasunaren 500 urte (1526-2026)
Joseba Agirreazkuenaga Zigorraga
Ekonomia Itunaren eta Foru Ogasunen Ikerketarako Ituna Agiritegiko Zuzendaria
- April 28
- 12:00
April 29
Bizkaiko foru eta ogasunaren 500 urte (1526-2026)
Joseba Agirreazkuenaga Zigorraga
Ekonomia Itunaren eta Foru Ogasunen Ikerketarako Ituna Agiritegiko Zuzendaria
- April 29
- 12:00
Ituna Center for Basque Economic Agreement and Fiscal Federalism Studies
Organizer
The Ituna Center for Basque Economic Agreement and Fiscal Federalism Studies was founded in 2007 following the signing of a collaboration agreement between the Regional Government of Biscay and the University of the Basque Country / Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea.
Since its creation, the Center has provided a documentation service with the aim of collecting information, streamlining, analyzing, and disseminating academic knowledge on the Economic Agreement and Convention, the Regional Treasuries, the Basque tax system, and, in general, on fiscal federalism or fiscal and financial decentralization systems.
Collaborators
Congress Venue
Bizkaia Aretoa - EHU
The Bizkaia Aretoa of the University of the Basque Country is located in an emblematic area of Bilbao, overlooking the estuary and the Guggenheim Museum. Designed by architect Álvaro Siza, it is located in the center of Abandoibarra Avenue, between the Pedro Arrupe and Deusto bridges.
Today, it hosts all kinds of social, cultural, academic, and scientific events, many of them organized by the UPV (University of the Basque Country). This has made Bizkaia Aretoa a benchmark venue in Bilbao’s events sector.
Contact
Congress Information
If you would like more detailed information about the Congress, please contact the Ituna Center for Basque Economic Agreement and Fiscal Federalism Studies.
Hours
Monday to friday
09:00 - 14:00
Ituna Center Leioa
+34 946 012 240
Ituna Center Sarriko
+34 946 017 011
ituna@ehu.eus
Downloadable book
History of the Regional Government of Biscay. 1500-2014
The Regional Governments and the General Assemblies are one of the main institutions of the Basque Autonomous Community. Each of the three territories of the Basque Autonomous Community (Álava, Gipuzkoa, and Bizkaia) has a legislative assembly—the General Assemblies—and a regional government with broad powers, including the regulation and collection of direct and indirect taxes.
The General Assemblies, unlike the rest of the Spanish State, are the true parliaments of the Historical Territories and elect from among their members the General Deputy who presides over and chairs the Regional Government. The Regional Government of each territory is led by the General Deputy, who elects a group of deputies of a maximum of ten. They will be responsible for the regional departments, according to the distribution of matters such as Finance, Public Administration and Relations with Municipalities, Economic Promotion, Public Works and Public Transport, Environment and Agriculture, Social Action, and Culture.
This historical monograph, published by the Regional Government of Biscay, identifies and lists all the “General Deputies” of Bizkaia from 1500 to 2014 (the year of the book’s publication), including those who were not democratically elected during the Franco regime but did hold office. It also analyzes the history of Bizkaia’s regional institutions from that time to the present.
Authors
Dr. Joseba Agirreazkuenaga, Dr. Eduardo Alonso, Dr. Alberto Angulo, Dra. Nieves Basurto, Lourdes Etxebarria, Dr. Iñaki Garcia, Aritz Ipiña, Dr. Santiago Larrazabal, Dr. Rafael Lopez, Dr. Fernando Martinez, Ramón Oleaga, Dra. Susana Serrano, Dr. Mikel Urquijo, Dr. Mikel Zabalza.