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While many Basque clubs in Argentina are already enjoying their summer vacation, others like Necochea are currently holding some of their most important events of the year: The Festival of Communities January 15-17, and San Sebastian Week from January 19-23.  While his way through Argentina, Olentzero also visited Basques in Necochea giving candies to old and young alike. 

Necochea, Argentina.   2016 is full of proposals at the Euzko Etxea in Necochea since it is now submerged in organizing its January events.  Its program of activities for the new year will begin in two weeks with the Festival of Communities and will extend through November when the city will again be the site of the Semana Nacional Vasca from the 7-13.

In January, the Euzko Etxea invites the community to two events.  From January 15-17 it will be at the Festival of Communities at the Jardín Francés (French Garden) at the Miguel Lillo Park (Av. 10 y 89). The Basque club will have a food stand that will include txistorras, solomo and sandwiches.

On January 19 the Basque San Sebastian festivals will begin in Necochea at its Aste Nagusia with the following tentative program:

-Tuesday, January 19, 19hs. Basque Film
-Wednesday, January 20,, 20hs. Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes and tamborrada (danborrada) at Villa Balnearia
-Thursday, January 21, 19hs. Paleta exhibition – first level (TBA)
-Friday, January 22, 21hs. Pintxo Eguna and dance. Group dancing. Participation of Otxote “Osasuna”
-Saturday, January 23, 22hs. Big Paella, dinner/dance. Tickets available from the club’s secretary beginning on the 18th

Olentzero and San Tomas in Necochea

As tradition dictates, in this case the night before San Tomas, the legendary coal maker came to Necochea to meet club members and friends at the small plaza in front of the clubhouse.  Children and adults waited for him there, and the dantzaris and the curious also came to participate in the festivities.  The Olentzero was welcomed with dancing and then turned his attention to passing out gifts.  During the evening everyone present shared txistorra and chorizo in cider.