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The invitation is aimed a Basque youth between the ages of 18-30 years old.  Participants are responsible for their passage to Villa Maria in the province of Cordoba and the local Basque club will provide room and board.  “Anima Zaitez!” is an initiative of the Euzko Etxea Basque Club in Villa Maria and this year will take place July 7-22, 2018.  During their stay, the youth will teach workshops in Basque dance and music, Euskera, Basque sports, and gastronomy.  The deadline to apply is May 9^th.

Villa Maria, Argentina.  This initiative began in 2016 inspired by the Hator Hona program at the Euzko Etxea in Necochea.  Both exchange programs have similar characteristics and goals.  In regards to its goals, it hopes to create ties between the Basque Country and Argentina through activities associated with Basque culture, and that the Basque youth and the locals share their common culture, knowledge and experiences.  According to Flor Deniz, Basque teacher at the club “during this exchange they also get to know the work that we are doing in our Basque clubs and how we are integrated in the Basque Diaspora.”

Criteria to participate

This year’s program will select four youth between the ages of 18 and 30 (at the time of the exchange), who speak Basque and with at least a basic level of Spanish (meaning that they can be either form Iparralde or Hegoalde).  The selected individuals should have knowledge enough to teach workshops in at least two of these areas: Basque dance, Euskera, Basque sports, food and Basque music.  It is not necessary to hold a degree in these areas, but the willingness to share this knowledge with the Basque community in Villa Maria is required. Eligible persons will need to be able to travel to Argentina from July 7-22, and also upon their return home, spread the news of the activity and recruit individuals for future editions.

All activities will take place at the Euzko Etxea Basque club headquarters in Villa Maria, Cordoba.  During the 15 days, the program will include workshops taught by the Basque youth.  Lodging will be provided by local club families, and meals will be provided in their homes as well as at the Basque club.

Participants will need to pay their roundtrip from the Basque Country to Villa Maria as well as for travel insurance.  The program will take care of other program costs including room and board and teaching materials required over the two-week period.

Applications can be sent until May 9^th to the following email addresses: cvascovm@gmail.com and animazaitez.cvascovm@gmail.com. Results will also be communicated via email, and the names will be published on the Anima Zaitez!  during the last two weeks of May.