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Invited by the Gure Txokoa in Azul, Professor Mariana Fernandez Castelli gave a workshop at this Basque association in the Argentinean province of Buenos Aires.  The program covered a wide range of topics, from pre-history to current-day Euskal Herria, in an intensive class.  Along with this news, the Basque club in Azul also invites everyone to participate in the mateada on Spring Day that will take place this Sunday. 

Azul, Argentina. On September 13th the first Basque Culture Workshop in Azul took place at Gure Txokoa, taught by Mariana Fernandez Castelli. It lasted from 9am-5pm.  Castelli broached topics such as "the Kingdom of Navarre, Euskal Herria, Euskadi, Nation and State".  She also focused on some moments in Pre-History and History, using the Kingdom of Navarre as a departure point to reach today. 

Among the topics addressed were the situation of the Basque language, its importance and valor as an element of identity; the natural landscapes of Euskal Herria and the human action on them; the relation between economic activities and games and sports.  “Even if I am used to teach these topics, it is always a challenge to organize them in a way with  a common thread, that each was supporter the former.  I think that we accomplished that gauging from the questions asked, and by the participants’ interest,” Fernandez Castelli told EuskalKultura.com.

In regards to the second Workshop, and according to Silvia Iceta, it will be part of the 2015 schedule, maybe during the first part of the year.  Besides the workshop at this Basque club, Mariana Fernandez Castelli also gives an introductory workshop on the Basque Country on Facebook.  “It was actually through Facebook that the folks in Azul contacted me. Facebook is a way to get together.  There are various Basque clubs who have contacted me through Facebook, and I must confess that I am surprised and pleased by it,” she said.  The proposal is free and can be accessed by becoming a part of the Introductory Basque Country workshop community.

Last weekend, but this time in the neighboring locality of Rauch, the Basque club in Azul accompanied members of the Rauch Basque Club in the parade for the "Festival Nacional del Ave de Raza".  The event took place on Sunday the 14th in the morning and also gathered a group of representatives from the Loretako Euskaldunak Basque Club in Las Flores.

Looking towards next Sunday, the club invites everyone to greet spring with a 'mateada' in the shade of the sapling from the Tree of Gernika.  The event will take place on September 21st at 4pm in the Municipal Park.