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The Baradero Basque club doesn’t currently have a lot going on, nevertheless, the number of Basque descendants in the area is elevated and the Basque community wanted to be present and record its legacy in the city as part of the 400th anniversary.  That is why, as part of the celebration, the Basque club presented the book Our Grandparents, planted a sapling and left a message for future generations. 

Baradero, Argentina.   It is not unusual to see ups and downs in a Basque club in the Diaspora.  In fact, it happens rather often in some clubs, after a period of great activity comes periods of less activity and vice-versa.  In response to the stillness, the return to meetings, projects and carrying these projects out. Currently at Aurrera in Baradero, in the province of Buenos Aires, there isn’t a great work force, nevertheless, there are a couple of people who are ready to bet on the future and keep the club alive, and along with mantain a local reference for the culture of the Basque Country. 

Neska de Elorduy, current president, and Griselda Esconjaureguy, club secretary have worked hard so that Basque descendants were present as part of the city’s 4the Centennial festivities. Not only that, they also gathered a large audience including the Mayor, Aldo Carossi, governmental authorities and the press, at all the activities that they carried out.

Among them, the presentation of the book Nuestros Aitonas (Our Grandparents) should be highlighted. It took place at a ceremony at the Hotel Edelweiss.  As Esconjaureguy told EuskalKultura.com, “There were moments of great emotion, including to the point of tears, when remembering our grandparents.  The song “El Abuelo” by Alberto Cortez was very moving, performed by Fernando Cristobal Beyer.  This song touched the hearts of everyone present and opened this significant event.”

As part of the presentation, each person and family that told the stories in the book shared why they wanted to be part of it.  “That is how we saw the unity of the families,” the club secretary explained.  Remember that Nuestros Aitonas was edited by the club and is divided into the following parts: information on the Basque Country, the Ikurriña, poetry and the Our Father in Basque; the story of Basque families in the city and finally, a photo archive.

Next on the program sponsored by the club, the publication Una Charla Entre Vascos (A Talk among Basques) was presented at an event that was also attended by families in the community and was described by its organizers as an “interdisciplinary activity that combined music and literature.”

The club also planted a sapling of an oak as part of the anniversary festivities.  The tree, “a symbol of the Basque” was planted on the corner of Perito Mroeno and Saavedra streets in tribute to the first brick oven installed in the area by Jose Golonechea.

To conclude the festivities, members of the club visited the Retirement Home in Baradero and celebrated San Ignacio with a tribute in the Colon Plaza.  The ceremony included burying a time capsule with information about the club that is marked not to be opened for a century.  In this way, Aurrera concluded its participation in the city’s events with a message for generations to come.