euskalkultura.eus

The Gure Mendietakoak Basque Club in Caldas, Antioquia, closed 2016 very satisfied with its activities and its contribution to making people aware and sharing the Basque culture in this part of Colombia.  Among its activities, the club emphasized the gathering and its traditional participation at the Medellin Book Fair, at Basque family gatherings and in genealogy…

Medellin, Colombia.   The Gure Mendietakoak Basque Club prepared a summary of its best activities in 2016 for EuskalKultura.com, in a year where the club has achieved making the Basque voice heard, and its contemporary and historic presence in the region in the North West of the country felt.  One of the events that has become a classic of the entity is its participation at the Medellin Book Fair, which celebrated its 10^th edition this year.

The Gure Mendietakoak Basque Club made its presence known “with a stand that included information on the club, its goals, activities and career as well as displaying elements and contributions of the Basque culture through a sample of Basque literature, books in Euskera and a presentation of two historic investigations: Basque Navarrans in Antioquia, 1890-1970. An Approximation of Migrants, Religious and Exiles and The Basque in Antioquia during the Reign of the Austrias (1510-1700) both written by member John Alejandro Ricaurte.

Saldarriaga and Montoya

Thanks to the work of John Alejandro Ricaurte the Basque club is present in the research of the historic Basque present in the area.  On September 20^th, Gure Mendietakoak attended a meeting of the Saldarriaga family in Medellin and did a presentation on the Basque last name at the same, emphasizing the participation of the first migrants of this family who came to Antioquia.  At the same event, promotional activities also took place and the book The Basque in Antioquia during the Reign of the Austrias (1510-1700) was also for sale.

On November 20th, the club attended the meeting of the Montoya House in Medellin, also carrying out the presentation on the first Basque families, and distinguishing the participation of the first migrants from this family in Antioquia as well.

Christmas Dinner

The Basque club closed the year with its traditional Christmas dinner that took place on December 19th.  Several members gathered to enjoy dinner and share their experiences in Basque culture, with members born in Gipuzkoa, and Bilbao and of some other born in Antioquia, in places like Pereira and Medellin.

At this event, the documentary Euskara Munduan, Besteen Ahotan by Iñigo Asensio for EiTB was shown as it included the participation in Basque of club member, Jose Miguel Ramirez.