Dance will particularly always have a special place in my heart, because it is the way I connected with the Basque American community. I grew up spending my Saturday afternoons at dance practice, and as a teenager being part of a dance group got me to travel to different Basque festivals in the summer.
While spending eight hours in the car driving to Elko, Nevada might not sound like the most exciting way to spend a summer, it really was. Traveling to festivals allowed me to make the connections with other Basque American youth that are still important to me today.
Without dance to introduce me to wonderful Basque people and traditions, this blog would never exist. Straight up, I wouldn’t feel anywhere as close to connected to the Basque American community as I do today if I hadn’t spent countless hours of my youth dancing.
So this month in the Basque Youth Spotlight series, I want to recognize the hard work of our young Basque American dance instructors. They do so much for the community that I want to give them a platform to share their experience.
In the coming days, you will hear from young people who organize large groups of people to put on a good show, for no pay and no glory. Out of the goodness of their hearts and their dedication to the continuation of Basque culture in the United States, these instructors donate their time, energy, skills, and brainpower for the success of their dance groups.
You can expect to read about:
- Cirbie Sangroniz of Utah’ko Triskalariak, Salt Lake City (Tuesday)
- Ben Monasterio and Teresa Franzoia of Oinkari Basque Dancers, Boise (Wednesday)
- Hannah Isom of Gauden Bat, Chino (Thursday)
- Christian Jaureguy of Gauden Bat, Chino (Friday)
I hope that by the end of the week you are just as impressed as I am with the countless hours they donate to perpetuating Basque culture.
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