euskalkultura.eus

For two weeks, this group of seven young bertsolaris and pilotaris from Euskal Herria has traveled through Argentina with their show “Bertso-Pilota.”  They were greeted in each city by members and friends of the corresponding euskal etxea, and they didn’t only perform “Bertso-Pilota” but they also put themselves at the disposition of each club to participate in other activities related to Basque culture.  Following is a chronicle and photos from the tour. 

Buenos Aires, Argentina.   Oihana Iguaran and Beñat Gaztelumendi (bertsolaris); Iker Urmeneta, Iñaki Lizaso, Arkaitz Esnaola and Eneko Aizpitarte (pelotaris); and Ekain Ormazabal (presenter) came to Argentina on April 9th and on the same day they were welcomed and held their first performance, thanks to the teachers and students at the Euskaltzaleak Euskaltegi and Association in Buenos Aires, who welcomed their visitors with a BBQ that turned into a Bertso Bazkaria.

The second performance in Buenos Aires took place at the Laurak Bat Basque Club.  There, in the club’s trinkete, pilotaris and bertsolaris performed their first “Bertso-Pilota” in Argentina with bertsos improvised in Euskera that were translated into Spanish.

[One of the points in the match played atl Laurak Bat]

La Plata was the tour’s second stop.  The Euzko Etxea in the capital city of the Buenos Aires province filled to capacity and gave the group a warm welcome.  After the match/show, the hosts invited their guests to a typical BBQ.  Taking advantage of their stay in La Plata, the youth visited and were interviewed on the radio program “Basque Roots,” and also showed the documentary Mundu bat ahoz aho. 

Bahia Blanca was also on the program.  Due to the short time and long distances, they were only able to stay just a few hours, but were still welcomed enthusiastically by the dantzaris at the Union Vasca Basque Club, treated to dinner and also gave a short class in esku pilota to a group of children at the club.

Necochea welcomed the seven on the weekend of Holy Week so that they could also participate in the Euzko Etxea’s activities, including its 72nd Anniversary and Aberri Eguna.  Plus Korrika.  Even if they had already traveled hundreds of kilometers and had met local Euskalduns, this stop provided them with an opportunity to spend three days entirely in Basque that didn’t cease to amaze them. In the words of Oihana Iguaran taken from the Basque magazine Tolosaldeko Ataria: “In Necochea we noticed a very strong presence of Euskera and Basque identity.  Although it seemed incredible to spend three days speaking only in Basque, although many understand but may not speak, and those that don’t know the language do know the music, dances and much about the Basque culture; and we say ‘culture’ not simply ‘folklore.’’”  More information on their stay in Necochea here.

Viedma y Carmen de Patagones was their next stop.  There the berstolaris and pilotaris were welcomed by the Aberri Etxea Basque Club.  The guests provided various workshops there including singing for the children, mintza-praktika and a workshop on bertsolaritza for the Basque students, as well as providing singing after dinner, dances and more bertsos along with a dance workshop. The “Bertso-Pilota” show took place in the kantxa in Sol de Mayo.

Althouth the tour’s Schedule was tight, Oihana, Beñat, Iker, Iñaki, Arkaitz, Eneko and Ekain worked it out so they could do a visit that was not programmed.  They accepted the invitation of a member of Lagunen Etxea Basque Club in Laprida and so also went to Laprida where they were not only well received but also performed bertsos and pilota at the local Pilota Club.

The last bertsos, and farewell match in Argentina took place in Rosario.  The excitement of the seven was increased by their meeting the legacy of the great bertsolari Pello Mari Otaño (Zizurki 1857 – Rosario 1910) at the local Zazpirak Bat Basque Club.

More photos, videos and information (in Basque) here.