Euskal kultura

As every year, the Iparraldeko Euskal Etxea-Centro Vasco Frances will celebrate the beginning of the Winter Solstice in the Southern Hemisphere, with its typical Sorgin Afaria – Witches Dinner. In the heart of Buenos Aires, “the “Akelarre,” (coven) will include witches and spells beginning at 9:30pm, on June 24t. With this anounce and invitation the Club's Sub-commission of Culture shares with us photos of its Herri Urrats celebration.

Buenos Aires, Argentina. The Sub-commission of Culture at the Iparraldeko Euskal Etxea announced its upcoming activities and invites the community to join them. On the 15th, Professor Mikel Ezkerro will give a talk, “Basques in Argentina,” at 7:30pm at the clubhouse.

Basque film will come on Wednesday the 21st thanks to Carlos Gabilondo with two titles: Paper Flowers, by Luis Vil, and the Swedish documentary Basker.

On June 24th, the event will take place on the longest night of the year in the Southern Hemisphere, facing the cold with a fun Akelarre. The event is at the club’s BBQ pit where dinner will be served, and there will be raffles and a costume contest. Closer to midnight there will be spells to scare away evil spirits and to begin a new stage. Tickets are $200 and can be reserved until June 23rd by emailing: ibaiak@hotmail.com; or by calling: 1537845370. Attendees are asked to dress in black, wear hats and bring along allusive elements.

The month’s activities will close with a Sorgin Afaria, on June 29th at 7:30pm with Juan Carlos Ibarrola giving a talk “Witches and Solstices.”

Herri Urrats

One of the Sub-commission of Culture’s activities at the Iparraldeko Euskal Etxea is to carry out activities that are part of the Basque cultural schedule in Iparralde. That is why Herri Urrats is also celebrated at the clubhouse on Moreno Street. At the 34th edition of the event that took place around the lake in Senpere, money was raised to pay the moving of the Liceo Bernard Etxepare in Baiona.

The night before the official event, Saturday, May 13th, members and friends of the Iparraldeko Euskal Etxea were part of the Argentine version of Herri Urrats. To initiate the activity, Carlos Martinez addressed those present and explained what Herri Urrats is, as well as Seaska (the federation of Ikastolas in Iparralde), he also talked about the situation of Euskera on the north side of the Pyrenees, the Public Office of the Basque Language, the agreement with Euskadi and the new Commonwealth of Iparralde, including the promising news about the first meeting that included the appointment of a Language Policy manager.

Afterwards, Mariana Arla presented a video done by the music group Ken Zazpi to promote the festivities that generated an interesting debate between audience members. Afterwards the (H)aizu! Logo was presented and everyone there was invited to leave their handprints on two pieces of cardboard (Herri Urrats means the print or mark of the people). The night continued with raffles for crafts done by Juan Carlos Ibarrola, and a pintxo tasting along with lentils prepared by Cristina Cordara.

Decorations were done by club secretary, Norma Rios de Ibarrola, and bartenders were Cesar Arrondo, Carlos Bordagaray and Rosita Misagna.