euskalkultura.eus

The big Basque festival in Argentina is getting closer and closer, and even if the main program of the event is confirmed, everyday more details are begin firmed up with activities that will take place in Necochea November 7-13.  The novelties having to do with Euskera are varies.  On Saturday at 2pm there will be a “Mintzodromo,” where everyone will be able to practice Basque with Basque speakers from Argentine... or via Skype with Basques in Euskal Herria. 

Necochea, Argentina.   The Semana Nacional Vasca will take place this year from November 7-13 in Necochea, organized by the local Basque club.  Anyone coming can enjoy events throughout the week, but especially during the weekend, with a large number of proposals in relation to the Basque culture.  Some of the offerings to be highlighted are performances by invited groups from the Basque Country like Kalakan and Emon, the Dance Gala, and meetings, and public dances to name a few.

Among new events is the “Mintzodromo” a place designed for oral Basque practice that provides a privileged area to the Basque language during the festivities.  According to organizers, “the dynamic of the ‘Mintzodromo’ will be divided into two parts, Argentina and Euskal Herria.  In the Argentina part, there will be three areas: one with tables and various themes in hopes of stimulating conversation and idea sharing by taking turns (15-20 minutes) for all the groups to mix and listen to everyone’s points of view.  Another will have computers to facilitate Skyping with people in the Basque Country.  The last area is more informal, for having a mate or a coffee, in Basque, obviously.  In addition there will also be a place for anyone wishing to participate but don’t feel comfortable speaking yet.”

The “Mintzodromo” in Argentina will open its doors on Saturday at 2pm, after lunch in order to connect with folks in the Basque Country.  In the Basque Country, the event will take place at the Araeta sagardotegia in Donostia), where students will also gather in order to spend the day doing Basque activities, with the support of Mintzanet, HABE and Bagera. In Argentina, FEVA and the Eusko Etxea of Necochea especially invite Basque referents from everywhere, and in the same way, Basque students and teachers to participate in the initiative.

Also to disseminate “Mintzodromo,” students from the Euzko Etxea in Necochea invite everyone interested in making a short video (with your phone, camera, or whatever) inviting people to participate.  When recording the video you need to leave a 2-3 seconds at the beginning, in silence.  The theme is “Bi ordu Euskaraz gutxienez” (Two hours of Basque at least at SNV).  The goal is for the number 2 to appear repeatedly.  In order for that to happen, they propose that anyone making a video appear saying “bi,” (two) for example, with two things in your hands, two apples, or glasses for example.  The hope is to enforce the idea that the “Mintzodromo” will last for two hours.  The videos can be recorded at the Basque club or any other special place in the city.  The deadline to send them is October 30^th to: hatorhona@gmail.com (examples available here and here).

“This is the first time that this kind of activity has been organized between Argentina and the Basque Country.  We encourage everyone to be part of ‘Mintzodromo,’” Basque club youth said.

Following is the latest edition of the program for Semana Vasca 2016:

Monday, November 7
-19hs, Kick off for Semana Vasca 2016 with Txupinazo, raising of the flags in front of the clubhouse, Tribute “75 Years of the Dance Group,” Txikiteo and Pintxos. Place: Euskal Etxea.

Tuesday, November 8
-19hs, Opening of the exhibition of submission in the logo contest “Logo for Semana Nacional Vasco-Argentina 2016”. Place: Euskal Etxea.

Wednesday, November 9
-19hs: Exhibit “In the Footsteps of Euskera. The Basque language and its presence in Argentina”. Film about lehendakari Jose Antonio Agirre. Place: Euskal Etxea.
-22hrs, Dinner at the clubhouse

Thursday, November 10
-20hs, Cider Day at “Eneko Sagardotegia”: Complete Cider House Menu. Free Cider. Place: Euskal Etxea. Reservations encouraged.               

Friday, November 11
-Delegate Reception.
-Breakfast.
-Delegation Lunch Place: Euskal Etxea.
-15hs, Games on the beach.
-18hs, Open talks: "Gure Esku Dago" by Angel Oiarbide, spokesperson. ”Hator Hona Project" by youth from Zahar Alai in Necochea.
-20hs, Gala evening: Performance by Kalakan. Show will be opened by local group Otxote Osasuna. Place: Paris Theater.
-22hs, Dance to the music of invited group from the Basque Country Emon. Place: Euskal Etxea.

Saturday, November 12
-Delegation Reception.
-Breakfast.
-10hs, Meetings: FEVA, Libraries, Dance Directors.
-Lunch at the Euskal Etxea.
-14hs, ‘Mintzodromo’, dedicated space to Euskera. Talks Euskera.
-17:30hs, Tamborrada and kalejira. Place: Euskal Etxea.
-19hs, Artistic evening: Basque dance performances. Place: Cine Teatro Paris.
-22hs, Dance again to the music of Emon. Place: Euskal Etxea.

Sunday, November 13
-11hs, Mass at the Parish of Saint Maria del Carmen (Calle 61 among Av. 58 & Calle 60).
-12hs, Wreath laying at the Tree of Gernika in the Plaza Dardo Rocha.
-12.15hs, Dantzari parade: plaza dancing and Tamborrada at the Plaza Dardo Rocha.
-14hs, Closing banquet. Place: Euskal Etxea.
-18hs, Delegation farewell.

There will also be an International Pilota Tournament on Dec. 3 an 4, Saturday and Sunday, organized by the World Council of Basque Pilota.

Updated information on SNV available: Facebook del Centro Vasco Necochea.