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Laurak Bat in Buenos Aires began 2018 with an extraordinary visitor.  Catalan songwriter, Joan Manuel Serrat, practiced in the Basaldua room at the clubhouse before performing at the “The Unique” festival at the acclaimed Colon Theater.  “It was an unusual way of ending the 140^th anniversary of the club,” according to club members that are currently submerged in preparations for Buenos Aires Celebrates 2018.

Buenos Aires, Argentina.  The international festival “The Unique,” began yesterday and will run through March 2^nd.  On this occasion, Joan Manuel Serrat will perform today accompanied by the Symphonic Orchestra from the Colon Theater.  To get ready, the Catalan composer practiced on Monday at the Laurak Bat clubhouse.  Club members told EuskalKultural.com that the halls of Laurak are often selected for these kinds of activities because of their excellent acoustics.

Accompanied, also at Laurak by the Theater’s Symphonic Orchestra, the oldest club in the area had the privilege to enjoy this intimate closed-doors performance.  After the rehearsal, Serrat thanked his hosts for having welcomed him and his musicians in the “Basque house in Buenos Aires.”

Joan Manuel Serrat’s repertoire includes a song that includes a Basque topic and even some sentences in Basque.  “Edurne,“ (1970), which tells the story of a young girl form Tolosa, Gipuzkoa who, after losing her partner, turns her house into clandestine shelter for those headed to the border to fee the Franco regime.  The CD, published in Argentina, includes the Basque text translated into Spanish by Teresa de Zavaleta.

(Serrat performing “Edurne” singing some sentences in Euskera) 

2018 Program of Activities

Last year was an especially intense one for Laurak Bat that celebrated its 140^th anniversary in style.  Even if the anniversary is now behind them, this doesn’t mean that the oldest Basque club won’t face the new year with less intensity or fewer activities.  On March 13^th the club will celebrate its 141^st birthday, following the tradition with a floral offering and an Aurresku.

In March, they will also celebrate Aberri Eguna and in April, they will commemorate the Bombing of Gernika.  Throughout the year, the club will also continue its regular activities like Basque and dance classes.

“Buenos Aires Celebrates the Basque Country”

Without no doubt one of the most anticipated events in the first part of the year is “Buenos Aires Celebrates,” (BAC) that this year reaches its 7^th edition.  The event will be on May 6^th and according to organizers will be formatted and will have similar characteristics to prior editions, meaning it will take place on Avenida de Mayo and Bolivar, from noon-6pm on the aforementioned date. All afternoon there will be music and dance shows and several dozen stands with sports, genealogy, Basque, and of course food.  Currently, the board of directors from Laurak Bat is holding meetings with the city government to firm up details as well as launch an invitation to the community.

In a conversation with EuskalKultura.com, club president, Arantxa Anitua, confirmed that this Basque festival is one of the best-attended proposals in “Buenos Aires Celebrates.”  “Some changes have taken place this year and some communities have been asked to combine their celebrations. That isn’t our case, we are one of the communities that is best attended, participants and audience, and so we will continue to have our own festival.  Buenos Aires continues celebrating the Basque Country,” she added proudly. Zorionak!