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The Euskal Etxea in Havana, originally known as the Basque-Navarre Charity Association, celebrated its 138th anniversary on July 12 with an even that was open to members and friends.  The festivities took place at the Palacio de la Rumba in Havana and was attended by nearly 300 people.  During the evening, the Basque club named anthropologist, William Douglass, from the Center for Basque Studies in Reno, US as an honorary member. 

Havana, Cuba.   The Basque club of Cuba, whose official name is the Basque-Navarre Charity Association, celebrated its 138th anniversary on July 12.  The anniversary festivities was for members and the entity prepared the event and food for them at the Palacio de la Rumba.  There was a large crowd in attendance with 280 people, as club president, Renato Garcia Egusquiza told EuskalKultura.com. 

Music was provided by the Septeto Habanero accompanied by many traditional Basque songs and music as well.  They also showed the documentary “Euskal Herrian Barna, Voyage to the Land of the Basques.”  The event was also attended by the presidents of the Association Castilla and Leon, Maria Antonia Rabanillo; and the president and secretary of the Nature Association Ortigueira, representing a town in Galicia, Juan Orallo and Ela Mendez.

Tribute to William Douglass

Of course, the featured guest of the day was William Douglass, professor emeritus from the University of Nevada, Reno and one of the more prominent scholars on the Basque Diaspora in America.  Douglass has worked closely with the Cuban Basque club in recent years and the center recognized his efforts and support naming Douglass an Honorary Member of the club.

The Euskal Etxea has also recently held its elections.  The new board of directors, that includes several youth, will be in charge until 2020.  The board is comprised of the following:

• PRESIDENT: Sr. RENATO GARCIA EGUSQUIZA
• FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT: Sr. DANIEL ARANGUREN ECHEVARRIA
• SECOND VICE-PRESIDENT: Sra. Ma. MARGARITA LOTINA MARTIN
• SECRETARY: Sra. NANCY GRANADO GONZALEZ
• VICE-SECRETARY: Sra. ESPERANZA MOLINA SALGADO
• TREASURER: Sra. MARTA EGUSQUIZA DIAZ
• VICE- TREASURER: Sra. REGLA ORTIZ AGUILERA
• DIRECTOR 1: Sr.  LUIS TEJERO MARQUEZ
• DIRECTOR 2: Sra. MILAGROS SANSEBASTIAN ARMAS
• DIRECTOR 3: Sr. ARMANDO CHAVEZ ARDANZA
• DIRECTOR 4: Sr. MARIO GARCIA IBARRA
• DIRECTOR 5: Sra. MARIA MERCEDES MENENDEZ LOTINA
• DIRECTOR 6: Sra. MAIDER VARELA ARTESORO
• DIRECTOR 7: Sr. LENIER LANDA HERRERA
• DIRECTOR 8: Sr. VLADIMIR ECHEVARRIA ECHEVARRIA