Euskal kultura

Upholding commitments in the community’s activity circuit, the Ekin Dantzari Taldea in Buenos Aires represented the Basque Country this time at the local Flea Market Anniversary and the second edition of the Gastronomic Patio in San Fernando. As well as being the reference for Basque dance, the Eusketxe also provided a dance workshop at the Lagun Onak Basque club in Pergamino.

Buenos Aires, Argentina. The Ekin Dantzari Taldea, dance group from the Eusko Kultur Etxea in Buenos Aires, had a double commitment last Saturday. Around 2pm they opened the show that took place at the local Flea Market on its 25^th anniversary in the neighborhood of Palermo. During the show, organized by the city government, the dantzaris, directed by Aitor Alava performed Soka Dantza and Txulalai bringing the ambience of Basque plazas to the capital.

The second date was in the province of Buenos Aires, in the Mitre Plaza in San Fernando. The occasion was the second edition of the Gastronomic Patio where the dancers also participated, performing a selection of dances from Euskal Herria. In the words of Alava, “we had to have Basque at the festival, since San Fernando is linked to the Basques since its foundation, as well as being the site of a Parish where the Virgin of Arantzazu is venerated.”

Throughout the afternoon, the dantzaris from Lizarraenea danced “Bralia Kontrapas,” “Euritakoa,” “Aurreskua,” “Agurra,” “Dance of the Patrons of Gesaltza Añana”, the Jota “La Perra” and finished with a choreographed Arin Arin, “Arin Bodarin.”

Artists but also professors

In addition to performing at the shows, the Ekin Dantzari Taldea also organizes workshops at the Basque clubs interested in having them. On June 6, four members of the group traveled to Pergamino to teach local dancers there.

Alava told EuskalKultura.com that “the workshop was developed on the worries and needs that the Basque club expressed. "Content was addressed through a simple lens and provided the necessary guidelines so they can further develop them in the future.” The director of Ekin also taught an eight-hour intensive class where good humor prevailed, and the chance of repeating the experience has not been ruled out.