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Patraix, Spain.  Julian Celaya, Director of Relations with Citizens and Basque Collectivities of the Department of the Exterior of the Basque Government, attended the opening ceremonies of the 22^nd edition of Patraix’s local festival; a town which is today part of Valencia city.  Celaya was welcomed to the city by representatives of the Laurak Bat Basque club, whose headquarters is there.  Maite Najarro, daughter of club president Luis Najarro, served as the host on behalf of her father who was recovering from a recent illness, but who nevertheless wanted to be present at the ceremony.

Celaya was invited tour the facilities of the euskal etxea, which had just concluded one of its Basque language classes.  The Basque club was founded in 1948, “even though it wasn’t official until 1950,” explained Juan Dorronsoro, club vice-president.  After the tour, the Basque delegation was taken to the headquarters of the local Associació de Veïns (Association of Neighbors) where he proceeded to officially inaugurate the festivities.

[Julian Celaya with Navarrese Basque club, Laurak Bat’s, board of directors]

Official Town Crier

Antonio Plá, association president, thanked the Basque Government for its collaboration during the tribute.  Before a large audience of citizens and politicians, Celaya inaugurated an exhibit of photos of traditional Basque tools.  Next the group of authorities made its way to the main stage, in the Plaza de Patraix, where they were met by an audience of more than 2,500 people. 

Julian Celaya, acting as official town crier and delivering the keynote speech, was thankful for the opportunity to link Euskadi and the Valencian community.  After recognizing social groups and relevant figures of the year, the dance group Ereintza from Errenteria, performed and was greeted with much applause.

Madrid’s Basque club Choir

[Madrid’s Basque club Choir during its performance in Patraix]

On the next day, Ereintza continued to entertain during the festival with a kalejira through the streets of Patraix, which lead into Madrid’s Basque club’s choir performance.  The fifty member group offered a repertoire of Basque folk songs which began with Agur Jaunak and ended with Maite.  The Basque contribution continued on Saturday with a weightlifting exhibition by harrijasotzailes Iñaki and Inazio Perurena, from Leitza (Navarre).