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The Argentinian province of San Luis celebrated its 15th edition of the Immigrant Festival and the Basque club in Villa Mercedes guaranteed the presence of the Basque community at the event.  With the participation of Bilbao entrepreneur Kepa Ramos Herrero, the club starred all of the activities of the Festival that took place on the Calle Angosta.  You could also hear Basque, in the film presented by Carlos Gabilondo and in the voices of the Camerata de la Luna. 

Villa Mercedes, Argentina.   The 15th edition of the Provincial Immigrant Festival organized in San Luis took place on November 13-15.  Over the three days 20 communities displayed the best of their cultural manifestations on the historic Calle Angosta.

The Villa Mercedes Basque club was present at the event with a special guest, Bilbao entrepreneur, Kepa Ramos Herrero, who traveled to the city to participate in the festival in person and to get to know the Basque Diaspora in action.  As explained to EuskalKultura.com by the club, they met “Kepa online and he expressed his desire to get to know the Diaspora in Argentina and this was a good occasion.  He was at the Semana Vasca in Macachin and later traveled to San Luis invited by us to enjoy this event,” they said.

According to the organization of the Festival, on November 8 the Basque participated in a classic car parade and at a reception given by Mayor Mario Raul Merlo.  The festival activities began on Friday the 13th with the presentation of flags.  The Basque club in Villa Mercedes offered Ramos the opportunity to carry the Ikurriña and he was accompanied by club member Deisy Cabeytu.  From Friday through Sunday there were food and cultural stands on the street.  The Basques prepared lamb and white wine, “one of the most requested dishes and one that sold the most.  We served the 800 portions that we had prepared,” Julio Esnaola said.  The first dish was accompanied by rice pudding for dessert, both special recipes of Chef Facundo Herrera.

The cultural stand was the place where the film Loreak was shown with a presentation by Carlos Gabilondo that also allowed the public to become acquainted with the culture of the Basque Country.  The Camerata de la Luna, the club’s choir also performed Agur Jaunak, Txoria Txori and Calle Angosta, in Basque and Spanish.

We should also mention that the entrepreneur from Bilbao also participated in a series of meetings linked with his profession.  During his stay in San Luis, Kepa Ramos Herrero met with the Minister of Tourism and Culture of the Province and also visited the Zona Franca and the Customs Zone, and met with the local Mayor, council members and members of his cabinet.  He also met with representatives of the Chamber of Industry and the Marfrig Group.  He was also interviewed on Chanel 13 in an interview that can be seen here.