Santiago, Chile. Due to the current health situation, the Basque Community of Chile Basque Club celebrated the second annual Basque Week virtually in July-August. The proposal carries with it the sadness of not being able to gather in person at the clubhouse where activities normally take place. This year’s event was a success since thanks to being virtual, some Basque clubs in Argentina, including dance groups, and txistus from the Basque Country were able to join in.
The Basque Week took place over three days with each day concentrating on a different theme. July 30th began with a greeting by Gorka Alvarez Aranburu, Director of the Basque Government’s Directorate for the Basque Community Abroad; Juan Erenchu, President of La Condes Spanish Stadium; and Rossana Arza president of the hosting Basque club; and continued with the “7th Choir Gathering.” Besides the local choir, others participated from Chile, also the Coro Lirain from Gorlitz, Bizkaia; and the Lagun Onak Choir from Buenos Aires.
[Video of the first day of Chile’s 2021 Basque Week: Choirs]
July 31st was dedicated to dances and txistularis. On this occasion, they shared dances by the local Basque Community in Chile BC dancers, as well as videos sent from Argentina and the Basque Country. Argentine Basque clubs who joined in were Beti Aurrera from Chivilcoy, Euzko Etxea from Villa María and Lagun Onak from Pergamino.
From the Basque Country Mulixka Dantza Taldea contributed with a video that also included a heartfelt greeting from Iñaki Perurena on the occasion, Gazte Alai Txistu Taldea from Getaria and the Donostiako Udalaren Txistulari Taldea.
[Video of Day Two of Chile’s Virtual Basque Week: Dance and Txistu Groups]
The week concluded on August 1st with an in person celebration also shared on social media including the San Ignazio mass with the participation of the host Basque club.
[Third day of the Virtual Basque Week: Mass]