euskalkultura.eus

Elko, NV.  Elko hosted, last weekend, one of the largest Basque meetings planned for 2013 in the US.  The50th anniversary of the first “Elko National Basque Festival” also served as an excuse to host the 2013 NABO convention.  The goal was to celebrate this festival that has the longest tradition in the country.  Under the slogan, “Elko Jaietan 50 urte: Celebrating 50 years of Basque tradition” numerous Basque from all of the US gathered at the event organized by Elko’s Euzkaldunak Basque club.

According to everyone consulted by EuskalKultura.com, the even was a success.  Before the festivities began, there was a regional Basque club meeting, even though many of the region were not able to attend, representatives from the US and Canada were present.  The meeting was also attended by director of the Basque Government’s Basque Communities Abroad, Asier Vallejo, accompanied by technicians Andoni Martin and Benan Oregi, all from the Basque Country, along with Miren Perez Egireun from the Basque Government’s office in Boise, Idaho.

At 8am on Friday morning the NABO meeting began presided by Valerie Arrechea from San Francisco.   More than 30 clubs were represented at the gathering along with guests and Basque Government representatives along with newly appointed Delegate of Euskadi in the US and Canada, Ander Caballero Barturen.

The festivities began officially at 6pm on Friday.  Remember that Elko’s festival always coincides with the 4^th of July holiday, Independence Day in the US – displays of dual identity with the Ikurrina and the stars and stripes being two sides of the same coin in Basque-America.

Supporting the latter, Nevada State Senator, Pete Goicoechea once again attended the parade Saturday morning with his traditional float that included patriotic paraphernalia, and from whose speakers was heard military and patriotic music, along with the repeated narration of Republican values that Goicoechea represents.  The recording was directed to the audience in English…and in Basque in Anita Anacabe’s voice, in a show of respect for the Basque audience and Basque culture which 10,000 kilometers from the Basque Country takes on great value.

Throughout the weekend there were pilota matches at the fronton in Elko’s municipal park, along with aizkolari and harrijasotzaile exhibitions, with none of the participants coming from the Basque Country. There was a sausage contest that included chorizo, blood sausage and lukainka categories.  Winners of these were Susan Gavica of Winnemucca for chorizo, Valerie Arrechea from San Francisco for lukainka and the Basque club of Utah for blood sausage.  ON Saturday afternoon all activities took place at the fairgrounds, where there were various sport and dance exhibitions.  Among the dance groups were: Elkoko Arinak, Utah-ko Triskalariak, Reno’s Zazpiak Bat, Boise’s Oinkaris, Chino’s Gauden Bat, San Francisco’s Zazpiak Bat and Buffalo’s Zaharrer Segi. That night, Amuma Says No from Boise provided music for the public to enjoy at the local clubhouse, as they had done the night before to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of Ormaza Construction in downtown Elko.

Sunday began with an outdoor mass at the Basque clubhouse, followed by a picnic.  One of the day’s highlights was when NABO president, Valerie Arrechea, presented NABO’s life achievement or Bizi Emankorra awards to Jim Ithurralde from Eureka, NV and Bob Goicochea from Elko.  Both have made significant contributions to not only NABO but also to their local Basque communities.

The last of the dance performances took place on Sunday afternoon and little by little groups who had participated left Elko to return home, which in some cases could be 8 or even 12 hours away.

The 50^th Anniversary of the Naitonal Basque Festival as well as the 2013 NABO Convention were filled with great atmosphere all weekend long at various venues, the Fairgrounds, the municipal park, the fronting as well as through the streets of Elko and its various Basque restaurants and establishments, in particular the Star Hotel and the Biltoki and Toki Ona restaurants (despite the recent sale of the Biltoki to an American that was managed for the last 30 years by Ramon Zugazaga of Gernika).

Next year’s convention will take place in Bakersfield, California hosted by the Kern County Basque club.