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The event took place at the Juan Bautista Alberdi Public Library of this town of the province of Santa Fe, in Argentina, and was led by Jorgelina Otegui and Roberto Landaburu.  Through books, images and dance, the organizers provided the audience a panorama of the Basque culture.  They also remembered Gernika, with the testimony of Modesto Egia, from Eibar, a witness of the Bombing who died two years ago in Venado Tuerto.

Venado Tuerto, Argentina.  The event, as indicated to EuskalKultura.com was extremely successful, especially given that there is no Basque club in the area.  Fifty people came to the library in Venado Tuerto, for a gathering where Basque topics were addressed from various perspectives “always in hopes of introducing those present to the culture of Euskal Herria and the Basque legacy in Argentina.”

Jorgelina Otegui presented a book A Child like No Other written by her father, Raul F. Otegui, about the history of their family that originated in Andoain, Gipuzkoa.  She also exhibited and explained several paintings and photos she made and took during visits to the Basque Country.  In the case of Roberto Landaburu, he referenced the arrival of Basque immigration to Argentina.  In his presentation, and just days after the anniversary of the Bombing of Gernika, Landaburu also shared memories of Modesto Egia with those present, as Egia was in Gernika on that fateful day.

Landaburu told EuskalKultura.com “Modesto was originally from Eibar and on the day of the bombing he was in Arbatzegi.  He was about 12 years old and when he told the story, he remembered the airplanes flying so low that he could see the pilots’ faces.  Modesto lived until the time of his death, two years ago, in Venado Tuerto; he was the last Basque Country native in the city,” Landaburu remembered.

To conclude the event, students from a local dance school performed traditional Basque dances prepared especially for the occasion.  Those attending were also treated to pintxos.