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For the second time in a row, the Eusko Txokoa in San Martin de los Andes accompanied its city on the anniversary of San Martin's foundation.  This year, they participated with new guests; the Basque buruhandiak, that surprised the spectators and opened carnival.

San Martin de los Andes, Argentina.   Located on the banks of the Lacar Lake, the city of San Martin de los Andes, in the province of Neuquen, celebrated its 118th anniversary.  The Euskal Txokoa Basque club has participated in the event since its foundation in 2014, even though, in the words of its members, “being on February 4, it doesn’t give us time to breathe.  We haven’t even finished with the yearly events, and in January we have to get ready for the parade.  Nevertheless, we are very happy; happy to have participated and be so warmly received by the community, which is great recognition for us.”

The applause this year, was most of all directed to certain characters that surprisingly appeared in the parade.  “The note of color that the Burundarena family gave, they appeared suddenly each as a buruhandia [giant-headed carnaval figure], made by themselves.  It was completely unexpected; they were especially highlighted in the parade and in this way made an impromptu nod to carnival,” Basque club president Manuel Bustingorry explained.

2016 Agenda.

The Basque community in San Martin de los Andes began the year strong, but as they say, it is just the beginning.  Looking forward, they have various projects that they will carry out at the club in 2016.  For starters, adapting to the community calendar in the country, they will organized their big Basque Taberna at the end of April or the beginning of May.  “We know that during the second semester Basque clubs are getting ready to travel to Semana Nacional and we don’t want our activities to interfere.  Additionally, we also want to go to Necochea with a little bit bigger delegation than we had in Macachin in 2015.”

In regards to the activities that they will carry out all year long, the Euskal Txokoa hopes to continue with a Basque film series, after the success of the 2015 edition.  “Last year we were also able to videoconference our txikis with those at the Avellaneda Ikastola in Sodupe, Bizkaia, something that was made possible by teacher, Nagore Aboitiz, and the committee that we formed to this end; the activity was really fun for the children, and we’d like to do it again,” Bustingorry said.

An intensive start for the Euskal Txokoa – and only the beginning, since they have so much on the table that EuskalKultura.com will continue to publish as they come along – all the result of team work.  “That is why we want to thank everyone who has collaborated with us and supported us in our efforts, the committees that we have created for every special event, and especially the Mendiko Eusko Etxea Basque club in Bariloche and the Union Vasca Basque club in Bahia Blanca.”