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Yesterday, July 4, marked the halfway point at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival 2016, which has clearly marked the city with a Basque touch over the last week.  Everyone is very satisfied with how it is going, according to sources that EuskalKultura.com has talked to.  Yesterday’s rain forced some changes and an earlier closer of events, but besides that everyone’s delight was obvious.  Here are some more videos. 

Washington DC.  The weather had been threatening over the last week, but somehow the sun continued to shine day after day delaying the rain.  Yesterday, the good weather gave way to rain, and even though it subsided in the afternoon, the weather obliged some changes in the scheduled activities for outside, moving them into the Arts and Industry building, and pushing up the close time for the day and the first half of this cultural gathering.

The second half of the festival will begin on July 7, with the final day being Sunday July 10.  During this time, some Basque-American groups will pass the baton to others who will entertain during this second portion of the festival.

Here are some more videos from the Smithsonian Folklife Festival 2016:

Different trades and guilds related to traditional fishing activities and Basque seafaring showed their best work (video EuskalKultura.com)

The Joaldunak from Ituren, traveled around the festival grounds, as well as answering questions from the audience (video EuskalKultura.com)

You could also learn some Basque language in Washington at this class in the middle of the Folklife Festival (video EuskalKultura.com)

Traditional pottery also had its place, allowing children to play and showing their different shapes (video EuskalKultura.com)

The Basque-American group, Noka, sang and English/Basque version of “Old McDonald had a Farm” introducing children to the language (video EuskalKultura.com)

Izpegi, a beautiful song performed by Noka, and very appropriate for the event, with Mikel Markez accompaniment on the guitar and vocals (video EuskalKultura.com)

The Tree of Gernika in the Capitol Gardens: words by Basque congressman John Garamendi and planting of the sapling (video EuskalKultura.com)

Not only performing but teaching Basque dance: dancers form the Gauden Bat group from Chino, CA teaching traditional polkas (video EuskalKultura.com)

(to be continued)