euskalkultura.eus

The Basques in Necochea had three reasons to celebrate last weekend: its 72nd anniversary, Aberri Eguna and Korrika.  Everything started on Saturday afternoon, with the “Bertso Pilota” show and concluded on Sunday with Aberri Eguna. “A feeling of great camaraderie and wonderful atmosphere reigned,” club sources said. 

Necochea, Argentina.   As at all birthday parties, Euzko Etxea’s in Necochea also had guests, this time from the Basque Country.  In fact it was them the bertsolaris Oihana Iguaran and Beñat Gaztelumendi, and pilotaris Iker Urmeneta, Iñaki Lizaso, Arkaitz Esnaola and Eneko Aizpitarte along with presenter Ekain Ormazabal who were in charge of the festivities first activity.  The show “Bertso Pilota,” that unites two of the most genuine artistic expressions from Euskal Herria, bertso and pilota,  was performed on Saturday, April 15th on the same day that the club celebrated its 72nd birthday.

After pilota, with green beating red 40-39, dinner was served at the club’s Gastronomic Society.  The night before Aberri Eguna, songs and music entertained the korrikalaris who gathered the next day for Korrika 20 in Necochea.  “We organized Korrika on this weekend so that youth form the Zahar Alai group that are studying or who live outside of the city could come for the weekend after Holy Week, so they could also join in the movement in favor of the Basque language.  Korrika was originally planned for Saturday morning, but the bad weather changed that.  It was run, however, on Sunday with a reduced circuit, but not any less emotional,” Arantxa Zubillaga told EuskalKultura.com.

There was also Easter Sunday Mass for Aberri Eguna.  After mass there was a tribute at the Tree of Gernika and club dancers performed an Aurresku.  Club president, Juan Antonio Alustiza addressed those present explaining the celebration of the Day of the Basque Homeland and the foundation of the Basque club that was followed by singing “Gernikako Arbola.”

The festivities culminated in a txikiteo at the clubhouse, “where a constant feeling of camaraderie reigned,” Zubillaga said.  “The participation of those from “Bertso Pilota” in all of our activities from Thursday from Sunday was a highlight for us all.  On Sunday they left for Bahia Blanca,” club sources said.