Euskal kultura

Over the last few years, the Euskal Etxea in Pergamino has enjoyed a beautiful recovery, the fruit of the constant work of members and friends of the club and resulting in a big injection of energy contributed by the club’s youth in including its dantzaris. That is why its 65th anniversary was especially joyful and included a vast program that allowed showing the community some of the history aspects of the Basque culture.

Pergamino, Argentina. The program to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Lagun Onak Basque club was divided into two blocks. On the morning of November 5th, Basque club representatives gathered in the Plaza Merced, in front of the town hall, to plant a new oak in the space that was historically given to the Euskal Etxea. The ceremony began with the National Anthem of Argentina followed by Gernikako Arbola.

In front of the newly-planted oak, Basque club president, Marta Arrillaga, addressed those present, not only explaining the significance of the oak for the Basque people, as a symbol of liberty, but also read the words of Iparragirre to say “Eman ta zabal zazu munduan frutua” (give and extend your fruits to the world).

During the event, dantzaris and danborjoleak concluded the morning’s events with a performance of dance and music. Juan Ignacio Bonansea danced an Aurresku, and later directed the danborrada. The dantzaris joined the musicians to dance the “March of San Sebastian (see video here). It is worth mentioning that the Coordinator of Culture Ines de la Sota presented president Arrillaga with a souvenir of the event on behalf of the local mayor.

Dinner, Basque dances and White Magic

At 9pm Lagun Onak members and friends gathered again at the clubhouse. Sold out, the room was filled to capacity during the evening. Guests enjoyed a menu prepared by the club’s cooks led by Carlos Miguelena, as well as Basque dances, performed by the various groups that make up the club’s dance troupe. The festival lasted until dawn with live music provided by the group “White Magic.”

Board of Directors 2016-2018

At the assembly held on October 26, the Lagun Onak Basque Club elected a new Board of Directors:

-Presidnet: Marta Arrillaga
-Vice President: Carlos Miguelena

-Secretary: Daniela Albarracin
-Pro-Secretary: Milena Badia

-Treasurer: Alicia Ruiz Moreno
-Pro-Treasurer: Graciela Arzuaga

-Directors: Raquel Gomez Echevarrieta, Ana Franco Arregui, Susana Andreoni, Silvia Caminos
-Alternate Directors: Carlos Manzoco, Juan Bonansea, Carlos Otegui, Maria Delia Larrauri

-Bookkeepers: Julio de Sautu, Silvia Arregui, Ethel Arregui
-Alternate Bookkeepers: Rebeca Ugarte, Alejandro Carnevale