La Plata, Argentina. The party, the get-together, the Friends are already there. In the capital of the province ofBuenos Aires, La Plata, the highlight of the largest annual gatherings organized by the Argentine Basque community begins today. The week has been greatly anticipated, with a program that began on the 1st of November (see EuskalKultura.com last Monday) and concludes this Sunday with a huge parade of dantzaris and a farewell meal that will include nearly 1,000 participants (limited by the venue’s capacity).
“We are happy and can’t wait to welcome so many Friends, we hope that they are comfortable and have a good time,” said Javier Clua. “We appreciate the presence of the clubs and their members and the youth because we know what it took to be here today, after raising money for months, as well as after traveling hundreds or thousands of kilometers, and practicing all year long to participate or perform in Semana Vasca.”
“We are responsible for taking care of them and we have tried hard, opening the program with different proposals for everyone and activities from literature, sport, dance, work, and business to Politics and cultural dissemination…all of that in a relaxing festive atmosphere,” the president said. “We have worked hard and we hope you’ll excuse any mistakes that we surely will make. As they say in Basque, “’Ongi egindakoak haintzat hartu eta gainerakoak barkatu' (Keep in mind our successes and excuse our errors. Welcome to La Plata!”
This week’s program has included activities from the inauguration of the exhibits “Gure arropa-Our Clothes” by Magdalena Mignaburu on traditional Basque dress and “Euskaldunen Argentina – Argentina of the Basque” on Basque emigration to Argentina, to sporting activities like the International Pelota Tournament (with special female participation, from Mexico, Uruguay, Venezuela, Chile, Euskadi and Argentina.)
The cultural offerings included talks on Basques in Argentina by Mikel Ezkerro, the origin of the Basques by Jorge Beramendi, Basque lectureship at the UNLP by Dani Oiarbide, Basque literature by Carlos Irisarri and Basques in Newfoundland by Luis Luquez as well as writing in Basque today by Fito Rodriguez. There was also the book presentation of Magdalena Mignaburu’s book Basque Motherland in Argentina: A Century of Basque Nationalism.
In the area of cinema Carlos Gabilondo did a talk on Basque film (1895-2013) followed by the showing of a film. There was a choir performance by the local Euzko Etxea choir that other clubs will join on Friday afternoon. There was also the presentation of the works in “Basque Stories of the South” by the Delegation of Euskadi in Argentina-Mercosur.
Besides Basque pelota (paleta cuero and paleta argentina), organized by the World Council of Basque Pelota and Associates, sporting proposals also included jockey gatherings and children’s soccer and an exhibition of the club’s blind soccer team. There was also the 7th City of La Plata Open Chess Tournament at thre Basque Club.
SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEKEND
Friday November 7
-8:00hs, Delegate Reception / Delegate Breakfast. Event hall. Basque Club/Restaurant. Accompaniment of delegates to their lodging.
-11:30hs, the International Pelota Tournament organized in conjunction with the World Council of Basque Pelota and Sports Associations. Participating countries: México, Uruguay, Venezuela, Chile, Euskadi and Argentina. Modalities: Paleta Cuero and Female Argentine Paleta Location: Fronton at the Parque Pereyra Iraola. Centenario Street.
-13:00hs, Delegate Lunch. Place: Cancha, sports complex, Basque club restaurant.
-19 a 21hs, Basque choir meeting with Denak Bat from Cañuelas, Euskal Etxea in San Nicolas, Euskaltzaleak in Buenos Aires, and Euzko Etxea in la Plata. Place: Golden Room in the city of La Plata. Calle 12 – 51 and 53. 1* Floor.
-20:30hs, Tribute to Basque work: meeting organized jointly with the Union Industrial Argentina subsidiary of Gran La Plata and the municipality of La Plata. The work of Basque or the Basque community-related companies will be recognized:: Bodega Goyenechea, Basque Culinary Center, BATSA S.A., Euskal Abereak, AMPO, BIO-BRANDSEN S.A. of Hernán Cruchaga, and ORKLY. Location: República de los Niños. General Belgrano Street, corner of Calle 500. Gonnet.
-21:30hs, Annual dinner of the Union Industrial Argentina subsidiary of Gran La Plata. Location: Domo. República de los Niños. General Belgrano Street, corner of Calle 500. Gonnet.
-22:00hs, Dinner: Kantu Afaria. Place: Cancha, Basque club restaurant.
-23:30hs, Basque music by musicians from various Basque clubs and the Basque Country. Dance. Location: Toki Alai Hall. .
Saturday November 8
-8:00hs, Delegate Reception / Delegate Breakfast. Place: Event Room Basque Club/ Restaurant. Accompaniment of delegations to their lodging.
-9:30 a 11:30hs, FEVA meeting followed by a reception for Basque Government authorities, specifically, Cristina Uriarte Toledo, Minister of Education, Linguistic Policy and Culture; Maria Angeles Elorza Zubiria, Secretary General of Foreign Action; Asier Vallejo Itsaso, Director of the Basque Community Abroad; and Sara Pagola Aizpiri, Delegate of Euskadi in Argentina-Mercosur: Location: Republica de los Niños..
-11:30hs, International Pelota Tournament organized in conjunction with the World Council of Basque Pelota and Sports Associations. Participating countries: México, Uruguay, Venezuela, Chile, Euskadi and Argentina. Modalities: Female Argentine Paleta Location: Fronton at the Parque Pereyra Iraola. Centenario Street
-11:40hs, Presentation of the Diaspora Project by Maialen Zamponi, from Eusko Ikaskuntza Iparralde. Location: Casa del Teatro room. República de los Niños
-9 a 13hs, 16º National Basque Library meeting, attended by Lic. Carolina Bergaglio, who will talk about ‘Conserving Paper,’ and Lic. Guillermo Gubitosi, who will talk about ‘Library Marketing. Location: Basque club.
-10:00hs, Dance group meeting. Location: Basque club.
-12:30 a 17hs, Euskera stand. Location: Members’ dining room. Basque club.
-13:00hs, Delegate luncheon. Location: Basque club.
-15:00hs, Talk on “Independent Networks” by Txutxi Ariznabarreta. Location Events room at the Basque club.
-17:00hs, Kalejira. Locatión: From the club Plaza Moreno (53 & 13) through 12th street to 58th, to the Athens Club.
-19:00hs, Evening of dances. Recognitions
- Basque Government will recognize Mikel Ezkerro and Isidro Legarreta for their contribution to the development of the Basque community and the dissemination of the Basque culture in Argentina. They will be recognized by Cristina Uriarte, Minister of Education, Linguistic Policy and Culture.
- The Euzko Etxea Basque Club will recognize EuskalKultura.com for its more than 10 year career working as a means of communication between the Basque country and the Diaspora, open to the society as a whole. Location: Athens Club.
-22:00hs, Kantu Afaria – Dinner. Location: Basque club.
-24:00hs, Concert by “Itzarren Semsank.” Dance. Place: Toki Alai Room, Basque club.
Sunday November 9
-10:30hs, Mass. Place: Chapel “Our Lady of Mercy”. Republica de los Niños. .
-11:30hs, Dancing. Place: Football field. Republica de los Niños.
-13:00hs, Closing banquet. Awards ceremony for the Euskera and Pelota contests. Acknowledgements: Place: Domo. Republica de los Niños.
-17:00hs, Delegation Farewell.
Send to a friend
Add comment
