Buenos Aires, Argentina. The Euskaltegi in Buenos Aires will celebrate this Friday, August 2nd, its 75th anniversary since a group of euskaltzales led by Ildefonso Gurrutxaga, Quintín Mugica, Rufino de Arregui, Benito Montoya, Luis Ormaechea and Miguel Zárate created a place in the heart of Laurak Bat in July of 1944. According to historian Mikel Ezkerro, it was a young and new “institution with its own independent entity, capable of developing a transcendental and fundamental action such as the care of the Basque language, root of the genuine character and modality of the Basque people.”
Years have passed and Euskaltzaleak with a faculty of 7 high-level teachers and some 100 students, with its own headquarters that not only meets its daily objectives but has also created new spaces for Euskera and the Basque culture. As an example of the latter, they now have classes in new neighborhoods, an online class, and evens like its famous triki-poteos through the streets of Buenos Aires, inaugurated by the Euskaltegi in 2013.
The 75th anniversary festivities this Friday, August 2nd will begin with a talk on Basque mythology by Silvia Azpiazu. Following the talk, there will be an anniversary dinner that will include a typical menu, as well as Txapela Cider. The event will begin at 8pm at the Campustellae Space, Sarandi 1280 in the capital city. Reservations by July 31 by emailing en euskaltzaleak@yahoo.com.ar. Zorionak Euskaltzaleak!