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This group of Young Basques in Lima (Limako Euskal Gazteria) was born in august of last year and in just a few months has managed to bring new life in the Basque Club in Lima with Basque classes, diners, genealogy talks and a very special solidarity project where they take gifts and school supplies to children who live in the middle of the jungle.  The group was created when some young Basques moved to Lima and started getting together at the club, that received them with open arms.

Lima, Peru.  They feel comfortable in Peru and they say that they couldn’t have had a warmer welcome by the Basque community in Lima;  that the Euskal Etxea doors were wide open to them and that weekly dinners every Thursday soon weren’t enough.  In just a few months they were able to put together several activities and now their next task will be to bring Korrika 19 to Lima.  In addition, they invite all young Basques in the area to come join them on any Thursday at the Basque Club.

-How many are you in Limako Euskal Gazteria?

Legaz (Limako Euskal Gazteria) is mainly made up of ten people, even though we have been able to count with the help of many others, without whom it wouldn’t have been possible.  The daily management and work is carried out by Xabier Gil (Iruña-Pamplona) Iván Huerga (Iruña-Pamplona), Ismael Halcón (Iruña-Pamplona), Iranzu Martínez (Tafalla) and Bittor López (Bilbao), but we hope to meet more young Basques in Lima.  The more that can participate in our projects, the better!

-Are there many of you from the Basque Country? How did you end up in Peru?

Among us there are different cases.  For example, some came with a scholarship to study and afterwards just stayed here, others have come since there is no work in the Basque Country.  There are also some who have been sent here by their companies, and there are also some who met a local girl at university and have come here to live.  Not everyone in Legaz was born in the Basque Country, we also have many fiancées of Basques that are part of the group, or spouses and children as well.

-When was the group formed and what is your relationship to the Lima Basque club?

It was formed last year, in August 2014.  We can say that it is a young group that isn’t even a year old comprised by young people.

The club itself was formed in 1950 (they say, one of the oldest in the world) and we met there, at the Thursday dinners.  As the weeks passed, we started to think that new ideas were needed and so we created Legaz.  So I guess you can say that Legaz is part of the Lima Euskal Etxea.

-I suppose that it was a beautiful thing for the club that young people would gather there.  How were you received?

We didn’t approach the Basque club, it must be said that we were created and grew thanks to the Basque club.  They are very happy.  We decided that new activities needed to be created and so we proposed forming a youth group.  Their answer was positive and they provided us everything we needed.  Now the young, and not so young, come, increasing our Basque family. 

-What do you think you contribute to the local Basque community?  What do the youth in Peru think about the Basque Country?

When we talk about Euskal Herria they are always very attentive, and want to learn about the land of their parents, or grandparents.  They know that it is a different place, where the mountain meets the sea, with a log of rain (in Lima in almost never rains), and that we are a country of very deep roots, and traditions and culture.  We try to transmit this message to them and in exchange they help us to integrate and to feel part of Peru.

-You created Basque language classes, what other activities do you have underway?

We realized that there were no Basque classes at the club and so we decided to start teaching on Tuesdays.  The teachers are two youth part of Legaz and the number of students is changing.  We only teach one level, although we don’t have a lot of resources, but there is usually an average of five students.

We have carried out many activities around Euskera.  The Day of Euskera, for example, we taught a special class and we sent a postcard to students at an Ikastola in Oñati.  We have taught classes on Basque mythology, another on Basque surnames (in the history of Peru there are many, and many streets in Lima are named after people holding Basque last names), we sang Christmas carols…

-What projects are coming up?

Korrika is our next major Project and we are already in touch with the organizers.  And of course we celebrate all the Basque feasts (San Fermin, Andra Mari Zuria, Bilboko Aste Nagusia….), along with pintxo contests and a mus tournament.  We also want to create activities that unite Basque and Peruvian cultures, and we want to take some trips to historic places in the area. 

Another special aspect of Legaz is to participate in solidarity projects.  In Christmas we worked with the “Christmas in the Jungle” project and we were able to gather 19 boxes of toys at the Basque club, clothes and school supplies for children who live in the jungle.  We will participate this year in similar projects too.

-Are you comfortable in Peru?  Are you planning to stay?

Yes, we are happy here and they have welcomed us very nicely.  In regards to plans, there is a little of everything.  Some of our members no doubt, they will stay, and some say they will go home for sure.  Even if you are comfortable it is still hard to live so far from home.  In spite of all that, today our projects are here, our daily life is in Lima and Legaz and the Euskal Etxea are our small family.

-Any advice for youth who may want to try their luck in Peru?

In the beginning it is hard anywhere you are, but try to adapt.  If someone decides to go and live in another country, don’t be afraid, you must be prepared.  In Peru there are a lot of projects going on.  It is a country that is growing and we got work here, but you have to be patient.  Specifically, one of the goals of Legaz is to provide information and help to young Basques who come here.

For those who come to sightsee, we want to tell them that Peru doesn’t stop at Machu Picchu.  There is a coast, mountains, deserts, and incredible jungles, and the food is also very famous. Whether you come to Peru on vacation, or to live, we want to see you on Thursday at the Euskal Etxea! 

-Limako Euskal Etxea: www.euskaletxeaperu.org