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The painting will hang in the “Mikel Ezkerro” room at the clubhouse in hopes of keeping the memory alive and to learn from what occurred in thae Basque village on April 26, 1937. This is how the Urrundik Basque Club commemorated the 81^st anniversary of the bombing of Gernika, just days from the 18^th anniversary of its founding and the 28^th anniversary of its radio program “Presencia Vasca” (The Basque Presence).

Parana, Argentina.   On the same day that the Basque association Urrundik commemorated the anniversary of the bombing of Gernika, they unveiled a reproduction of Picasso’s work in the “Mikel Ezkerro,” room at its clubhouse.  The ceremony began with a welcome by club president, Juan Carlos Borras and continued with an exhibit by Federico Borras, conductor of the radio program “The Basque Presence,” The commentator and lawyer provided a panorama of the historic event lived in that “37 and about what the bombing that destroyed the town of Gernika meant for all of humanity,”

18^th and 28^th anniversary

A few days prior to April 15^th, some 100 people gathered in the Hotel Circulo in the city of Parana to celebrate together with Urrundik directors and Presencia Vasca radio show conductors their respective anniversaries, including members, dantzaris, listeners and presenters.

The festivities included two big moments.  A lunch that included an address by Juan Carlos Borras, president of the association, where he thanked their guests and gave a summary of the institution’s history, stressing the legacy left behind by several people linked to the club that are no longer with us today.  Among the guests were local and provincial authorities as well as representatives from other communities.

He also used the words of Professor Mikel Ezkerro, a close friend to Urrundik, who participates every year in the festivities.  Club representatives told EuskalKultura.com that “As usual, Ezkerro gave an emotional speech that moved those in attendance.” After lunch, activities included artistic numbers.  The show included performances by the Urrundik dance group, of the Ballet Folklorico, “Cuatro Horizontes,” as well as by soprano Mirna Donda, accompanied by guitarist Hernando "Pico" Rubio, winner of the Cosquin Festival in 2017, and the duo comprised by Juan C. Borras and Oscar Giles.

“It was a beautiful day of anniversaries that began even before, on Sunday moring, with a special audition for the 28^th birthday of the “Basque Presence,” the radio program conducted by Federico Borras,” according to club sources.

After the performances and raffles, the hosts closed the festivities with a special toast with good wishes.

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