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Along with the Laminiturri Association from Spanish Rioja, the Lagunt eta Maita Basque Club (LEM) in Pau, in Bearn, is the closest Basque club to the Basque Country.  It recently held, on April 3, it main annual festival, and just before, on February 12, its General Assembly.  The club was founded in 1967 and its members have already begun to think about the program of events to celebrate its 50th anniversary next year. 

Pau, France.   From the capital of Bearn, Albert Olharan summarizes for both Herria and EuskalKultura.com the news from the veteran Basque club, born in 1967, when Jacques Etchebarne, founded it gathering a large number of Basques and Basque families in the area.  “Since then it has done nothing but grow,” he said.

Lagunt eta Maita was recognized as an euskal etxea by the Basque Government in 2009. Another milestone was in 2011, when it established its current clubhouse that today hosts nearly 600 Basques and families for meetings and recreation.  That is also the meeting point for classes, practices, meetings of other activities, including the dancers (1) and choir (3 groups), and the Gau Eskola among others…

The club’s annual assembly took place this year on February 12th and a little later, on April 3, members of the big Basque family in Pau celebrated the club’s festival.

Following tradition, first there was mass at the chapel at the nearby Immaculate Conception school.  Mass was in Basque and was attended by Vicaire General Landart, who came expressly for the occasion, with the Basque choir of nearly 50 members (all three groups in one), with six musicians including three txistularis, Basque club members.

After mass, the txikis dance group performed and gained much applause form the audience.

Lunch was remarkable, "as always", and gathered 280 people in Lons who were delighted by the contribution of Arño Bidart.  For the first time, there were also representatives from the Jakintza Association in Ziburu, who showed their books, the result of research on what life was like in the country a long time ago.

Pantxoa Challet, Lagunt eta Maita’s president, addressed those present and thanked everyone for coming and their support throughout the year.  He also mentioned the upcoming celebration in 2017 when the club will celebrate its first half century of existence.  They are already thinking about proposals and how to celebrate this important anniversary.