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The 3rd meeting of Patagonian Euskal Etxeas held in Neuquen brought delegations from six cities to exchange ideas and goals in hopes of strengthening ties between Basque clubs in the region.  There were meetings, talks, walks, film and a farewell dinner complete with dancing and gifts.  As in 2016, there will also be two meetings this year of clubs in Patagonia.  The next will take place at the end of September in Viedma-Patagones, organized by the local Aberri Etxea Basque Club. 

Neuquen, Argentina.  The third meeting of Patagonian Euskal Etxeas took place in Neuquen April 28-29 and was attended by representatives from Aberri Etxea Basque Club in Viedma y Patagones, Etorritakoengatik Basque Club in Puerto Madryn, the Euskal Echea Association in Comodoro Rivadavia, Mendiko Eusko Etxea Basque Club in Bariloche, Euskal Txokoa Basque Club in San Martin de los Andes and the hosting club, Euskal Etxea Basque Club in Comahue.  FEVA accompanied the clubs at the meeting represented by its president, Hugo Andiazabal, among other guests such as Mikel Ezkerro who gave a talk, and Carlos Gabilondo and Norma Carrizo who are in charge of the traveling Basque film series.

The two days were intense and began on Friday with a reception of the delegations and a visit from the city council (remember that the event was declared of city and provincial interest).  The day included a press conference, workshops and a film session.  As part of the 80^th anniversary of the Bombing of Gernika, the films chosen were Guernica 1950) by Alain Resnais and Robert Hessens, and Zerutik sua dator (2011), by Egoitz Rodríguez Olea

Saturday began with a touristic visit of the city, where visitors visited, among other places the Schroeder Family Winery.  In the afternoon there was a talk by Hugo Andiazabal and Mikel Ezkerro and the second film.  The farewell dinner, organized by the hosts, was also the result of group work with Edu Vergel, former Gaztemundu participant, being in charge of the kitchen.  Dances were also performed by groups from Viedma-Patagones, Bariloche and Comodoro Rivadavia.

After the event the Comahue Basque club president communicated his satisfaction with the experience.  “Everything went perfectly, the meeting was positive and allowed us to take another step towards agreeing on topics, many of them relative questions to our internal function.  The main goal was to continue organizing strong events in Patagonia and support the clubs in the regions with their activities,” Manu Molina explained to EuskalKultura.com.

Among the subjects discussed was the date for the 4th meeting.  This will take place at the end of September in Viedma-Carmen de Patagones.