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Lima, Peru.  Lima’s Basque club celebrated Aberri Eguna 2012 with holy mass celebrated by Monsignor Miguel Irizar at the Basilica of the Virgin of Pilar followed by lunch at the Basque clubhouse.  The choir sang various songs at the Basilica both in Basque and Spanish.  Monsignor Miguel Irizar, who just retired as the Bishop of Callao, officiated and during his homily referred to the significance of the celebration.  He greeted the new board of directors of the club headed by Raul Noblecilla and remembered Victor Ortuzar , recently deceased club president, ending with the Monsignor and the choir singing Agur Jaunak.

Later at the Euskal Etxea there was a lively and crowded lunch where the most applauded dish was the marmitako.   Lima’s Euskal Etxea has been celebrating Aberri Eguna for the last 26 years; the first one during the presidency of the beloved and very dear friend Pedro Aramburu, and last year during the presidency of another endearing and also very dear friend Victor Ortuzar. 

Even if it is celebrated in the Basque Country on Easter Sunday, in Lima and other cities in the Americas it is celebrated later on as many take advantage of Holy Week to travel.  The celebration in Lima took place on Sunday April 22.

This event of remembrance also marks the reaffirmation and the incorporation of the youth who should adopt the commitment and motto “Continue and Grow!”

After singing many songs of remembrance those present sang Agur Jaunak as a way to end the event.