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Buenos Aires, Argentina.  In the province of Buenos Aires, Carnival is a recent phenomenon in the city of Cañuelas and its celebration is reminiscent of the one that used to take place in the 60s and 70s.  The first edition called “Carnavales de antaño” (old time carnival) took place last year and its success encouraged organizers to do it again in 2014.

[In Cañuelas, the dantzaris from the Denak Bat local Basque club brought the color of the Basque Carnival of Lantz to the Antaño Carnival (photoEE)]

As the local media summarized, a large gathered in the Plaza San Martin to enjoy the colorful show led by classic and antique cars escorted by masks, floats, and artistic groups.  It should be stressed that the local Denak Bat Basque club won second prize in the “Floats and Artistic Expression” category, a prize awarded in part due to the participation of the club dancers doing Lantzeko Inauteria (Carnival of Lantz).

There was another award-winning Basque institution, the Itxaropen club in Saladillo, with their candidate being chosen as the Queen of the 2014 Carnival.  Marilé Negri is 17 years old and is finishing high school.  The crowning took place on February 14^th at the Marconi Theater.  This wasn’t the only thing the club participated in, they were also among the five institutions chosen to man the bar during the Corsican nights, for the fifth year in a row.  “The goal is to raise money to finish the clubhouse that is actually making great progress,” according to club sources.

[A great group of collaborators participated in the Carnival bar, among them were members and friends of the Basque club (left side).  At the right, Marilé Negri – Queen of the 2014 Carnival (photoCNSaladillo)]

It should also be noted that the Basque club also received a 35,000 peso donation on March 4^th from the local municipality.  The club hopes to inaugurate its new clubhouse on July 31^st, coinciding with the city’s anniversary.

We also learned that the club in General Villegas also participated in the city’s carnival festivities.  Following a tradition that began some years ago, the Basque club is one of the institutions chosen to serve at the public bar that gathers to enjoy Carnival.

 [Directors of the Euskaldunak in Villegas didn’t waste any time.  While they are working on their new headquarters they prepared “choripanes” and tortilla for the city’s Carnival (photoEE)]

As every year, the club anniversary in Villegas coincides with these festivities and that is why the anniversary celebration has been postponed a few weeks.  Members of the Villegas’ko Euskaldunak have a lot of work to do.  According to club president, Victor Eguren, the club is trying to finish constructing its clubhouse that will begin functioning soon.  “Even though there are some things left to be done, we hope to open soon, and start holding activities there.  There will be a formal inauguration later on,” said Eguren.