euskalkultura.eus

Basque clubs in Patagonia held their 4th gathering at the Aberri Etxea Basque Club in Viedma, and Carmen de Patagones, where local authorities declared the activities as an event of “Public Interest.”  Members of the seven Patagonian clubs participants were satisfied with the results and they fixed the date and place was set for the next meeting, in May in Comodoro Rivadavia, as part of the 96th Anniversary of the Euskal Echea Association. 

Viedma, Argentina.   The 4th Meeting of Basque Clubs in Patagonia took place September 29-30 and was attended by representatives from Basque clubs in Comodoro Rivadavia, Neuquén and Cipolletti (Baskos de la Confluencia), Río Colorado, Puerto Madryn and San Martín de los Andes besides the hosting local Aberri Etxea Basque Club.  The program for the two days included film, a choir performance, workshops, meetings and dinner.

Without a doubt the main objective of this gathering is the exchange that takes place at the delegates meeting.  The work groups ran all day Saturday and were very productive since they allow, among other things, the creation of Internal Regulation that will now be part of future meetings.

Looking ahead, a cultural project was also launched that will include Euskera, and gastronomy among other items that will be jointly organized and will take place in November of this year during the visit of Basque teacher Javier Lasa, from the Basque Country.  The activity that is designed for people of all ages will also be coordinated by Basque teachers Rocío Basterra and Beatriz Echegaray. As at prior gatherings, the club that will host the next meeting was also decided.  The next host will be the Euskal Echea in Comodoro Rivadavia that will include the meeting as part of the club’s 95th anniversary.

After the weekend, the Euskal Etxea in Viedma and Patagones was very happy with the results of the meeting, not only by the large attendance (the Euskal Etxea in Comahue and Mendiko Euzko Etxea in Bariloche will get the conclusions via email), but also the impact of the event in the community.  In the words of club president, Raul Goicochea, “the meeting was very valuable, not only because we got to learn about everyone’s situation, and recognize our strengths and our weaknesses, but also because we could then address our problems in common and propose possible solutions. It also allowed us just to have a good time together in a relaxed atmosphere.  On the other hand, the event was also attended by the Mayor of Patagones, Jose Luis Zara and the Councilor of Block Changes, Leandro Massaccesi.  Both municipalities also declared the meeting as an item of “Public Interest,” Goicochea said.

The meeting concluded with a dinner that also included Basque music and dancing.