Viedma, Argentina. The “Emakume Euskalduna Patagonian” (The Basque Woman in Patagonia) project at the Aberri Etxea Basque Club in Viedma and Carmen de Patagones is a project to recover family memories with a gender perspective in the north of Patagonia in Argentina. The project is led by Ruben Suarez, Ph.D. in history according to club sources. “There are a large number of life stories circulating in the club at various activities, for example, the Literary and photographic Contest organized in 2018 to celebrate the Day of the Basque Diaspora provided a space for socializing that encouraged stories that took place in the Diaspora beginning with their direct relatives.”
Suarez explains that this year, the program will include two stages: one on individuals for Basque families to investigate and the other that includes fieldwork (interviews, letters, family trees…). The project coordinator also met with Mikel Ezkerro who has offered his help.
The first fruits of the work done will be presented next September 8th at the Day of the Basque Diaspora event at the club. This will include a general presentation and first images from selected genealogies. At the end of the year, fieldwork results will be shared, accompanied by a photo exhibit, “emphasizing gender.”
The club hopes to link with local and regional academic centers interested in recovering Basque culture and the migratory process in North Patagonia beginning in 2020.