Viedma, Argentina. The itinerary of “Kutxa bira,” and initiative of the Iparra Hegoa Association in the Basque Country began last weekend with a double celebration in the cities of Carmen de Patagones and Viedma, both gathered at the Aberri Etxea Basque Club. On the 25th anniversary of the institution, the Basque community in this county that extends both sides of the Rio Negro, received and said farewell to the “Kutxa,” (box) with a great artistic display that included dance, music and poetry. Information about the initiative here.
[Video taken on Saturday in Carmen de Patagones]
The activities on Saturday took place at the Luis Piedra Buena Park in Carmen de Patagones and began with the arrival of the “Kutxa,” thanks to founding member “Negrita” Borja Andia, accompanied by Matias Gorostiaga and Liliana Vasquez, members of the local choir, Abestu Beti. In her opening remarks, club president Rocio Basterra de Vall Iturria stressed the importance of the Basques and their language in the county.
The city of Carmen de Patagones was represented by the City Council President, Julio Constantino; and the Director of the Government, Adriana Llambay, as well as the Director of Culture, Vicente Paredes.
After reading the first part of the poem Hitza da gure Lurra by Amets Arzalluz, and as “as show of the community’s participation,” there were local folk dances as well as Basque dance performed by the Lagun Onak Basque Dancers who debuted a new choreography created especially for the occasion. The event concluded with opening the “Kutxa,” for dreams and wishes to be placed inside by the community, for the future of the Basque country and culture.
After this event, the “Kutxa,” was taken to the Naval Prefect of Argentina where it crossed the river to arrive in Viedma. There it was welcomed by the club’s txikis as shown in this video:
[The Kutxa crossed the Rio Negro to arrive in Viedma and was welcomed by the Euskal Etxea’s txikis]
The activities continued on Sunday morning in the Fundador Plaza in Viedma. The “Kutxa” transported by founding member Miguel Angel Basterra, was welcomed with remarks by club vice-president, Maria del Carmen Elzaurdia who stressed the importance of the Basque language over time, and its significance to the community’s culture in the Diaspora. The Mayor of Viedma, Professor Pedro Pesatti, also addressed those present and read the second half of the poem by Amets Arzalluz.
[Images from Sunday in Viedma]
On the second day, the Abestu Beti Choir sang the Province of Rio Negro’s anthem and “Siyahamba” in Zulu, Spanish and Euskera, a version exclusively produced at the Aberri Etxea. On this second day of festivities there were also tangos and more messages to be sent to the Basque Country in the “Kutxa.”
Club sources from the Aberri Etxea in Viedma y Patagones told EuskalKultura.eus that the event “served to consolidate ties between both cities and the Basque community in the Diaspora, which is deeply rooted in the region.”
Zorionak eta Eskerrik asko, Viedma eta Patagonesko euskaldun eta euskaltzaleok!
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