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The Naguanagua Basque club, near Valencia, in the Venezuelan state of Carabobo, celebrated its patron Saint on August 15, the Virgin of Begoña.  Despite it being vacation time, many members didn’t want to miss the festivities and the once again the attendance also included friends from the Basque club in Caracas, from Maracay and San Felipe. 

Valencia, Venezuela.   The festivities for the Virgin of Begoña is one of the most traditional dates on the Valencia Basque club’s calendar, in the state of Carabobo.  The Basque advocation of Begoña is the patron Saint of this Venezuelan town since the colonnial era. The celebration this year gathered many members and friends and including some from other parts of the country.  

The events began with mass celebrated by Fr. Nelson Borges followed by a short talk by club secretary, Odon Ulibarrena Iroz, who highlighted the social aspects linked historically of the Virgin of Begoña in the ancient manor in Bizkaia.  Ulibarrena explained that the boards of the Merindades began their sessions in the sacristy of aforementioned church and they were popular in character, in contrast to the stately Gernika.  Nevertheless, its agreements were as binding as those in Gernika. 

After the presentation, pilotaris Juan and Gabriel Contreras and Boris Salcedo and Moises Santiago (from the state selection of Aragua and Carabobo) played a handball match with Carabobo wining 22 -18.  It should be mentioned that all players were trained under the direction of Odon Ulibarrena at the Basque club facilities.

Afterwards, members enjoyed a meal that was followed by the 2015 Venezuela National Mus Championship, between Alberto and Josu Ugalde and Odon Ulibarrena and David Garcia, with the latter winning after a hard-fought battle.  According to club sources, “the festivities concluded with a farewell for friends from the Caracas Basque club, with songs and hugs.  The day concluded at dusk, despite the good atmosphere, but given the dangerous conditions in the country currently.”