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Mar del Plata, Argentina. Semana Nacional Vasca Argentina 2018 that is being celebrated in Mar del Plata as part of the 75th anniversary of the Denak Bat Basque Club began on Wednesday of last week, October 10th, with an ample program of activities including a pilota tournament, literary events, Mus and Canasta tournaments, and talks.  For this Wednesday, the options include an artistic show with dantzaris from the group “Akelarre,” who came especially from Euskal Herria for the occasion, and the hosting dance group “Beti Alai.”

However, the main events of the week will take place on Friday the 2nd with the massive arrival of delegations from Basque clubs from Argentina as well as neighboring countries.  This Friday will also be the Inter-Congressional meeting of Euskal Etxea in Central and South America and the txupinazo  that will be attended by local mayor, Carlos Fernando Arroyo as well as Lehendakari Iñigo Urkullu that will start the worlds’ largest annual Basque festival in the Diaspora.

Accompanying Lehendakari Urkullu on his visit to Argentina will be Secretary General of Foreign Action, Marian Elorza; the Director of Foreign Relations, Leyre Madariaga, the Director of the Basque Community Abroad, Gorka Alvarez Aranburu aa well as the delegate of Euskadi in Argentina-Mercosur, Sara Pagola.  

A plural represenation from the Basque Parliament will also attend incluiding parlamentaries Jone Berriozabal, Iñaki Agirre, Jasone Agirre, Pili Zabala, Txarli Prieto, Carmelo Barrio and lawyer Juan Carlos Areizaga.

Key members of the EAJPNV will also be in attendance including the Secretary of Euzkadi Buru Batzar (EBB) Mireia Zarate; Ana Esther Furundarena, Director of Education, Euskera, Sports and Culture also of the EBB and Gorka Mostajo from EGI.

Final Program

Wednesday, October 31

-20: 00hs: An artistic evening in with the groups 'Akelarre' and 'Beti Alai'. Place: Basque Center Auditorium.
-22: 00hs: Pintxos. Place: Basque Center Auditorium.

Thursday, November 1

-16: 00hs: documentary screening on the Immigration and Work Culture by Roberto Pennisi. Place: Association of Captains, Juan B. Fair 518.
-18: 00hs: Tribute to the Tree of Gernika and General San Martín; wreath laying and honor guard with dantzaris. Place: Plaza San Martín.
-21: 30hs: Dinner. Place: Basque Center.

Friday, November 2

-8: 00 to 10: 30hs: Reception and breakfast for delegations of visiting Basque Centers. Detailed information on activities to be developed.
-13: 00hs: Lunch for delegations and companions. Location: Club Quilmes, Av. Pedro Luro 3868.
-15: 00hs: Dantzari gathering on the beach. Place: Playa la Perla.
-16: 00hs: Reception to Lehendakari Iñigo Urkullu and Basque Government. Welcome Aurresku. Place: Astor Piazzolla Airport.
-18: 00hs: Music Workshop. Place: Basque Center Library
-20: 00hs: Official inauguration of the Semana Nacioanal Vasca 2018, with the local mayor Carlos Fernando Arroyo, and the Lehendakari Urkullu. Txupinazo, flag raising, Aurresku. Place: Euskal Etxea.
-21: 00hs: Taska, dances and dinner. Concert by local group 'Elkarrekin' and from Euskal Herria 'Huntza'. Venue: Basque Center auditorium and gymnasium.

Saturday November 3rd

-8: 00 to 10: 30hs: Reception and breakfast for Basque club delegations. Detailed information on activities
-9: 30hs: Director’s Meeting. Place: 1st floor of the Basque Center.
-9: 30hs: Librarian’s Meeting. Place: Basque Center Library.
-9: 30hs: FEVA meeting. Location: Club Quilmes, Av. Pedro Luro 3868.
-10: 00 to 11: 30hs: Choir Meeting. Place: Radio City Theater, San Luis 1750.
-11: 30hs: Talk by Lehendakari Iñigo Urkullu. Place: Club Quilmes.
-13: 00hs: Lunch delegations and companions. Place: Club Quilmes.
-14: 30 a 16: 30hs: Mintzodromo. Space dedicated to the Basque language. Place: Basque Center Auditorium.
-15: 30hs: Tribute and floral offering to Basque immigrants, with honor guard and flag bearers and presence of Lehendakari Urkullu. Place: Monument to the Basque Immigrant, Paseo Jesús de Galíndez, Varese Beach.
-16: 30hs: Gathering of drums, barrels, dantzaris and companions in front of the Basque Center.
-17: 00hs: Kalejira and Danborrada. Tour of the city to the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Cecilia.
-18: 00hs: Artistic evening. Place: Radio City Theater, San Luis 1750.
-21: 00hs: Taska, kalejira and dinner. Concert of the local group 'Elkarrekin' and the group from the Basque Country 'Huntza'.

Sunday, November 4

-11: 00hs: Dance performances by all delegations. Place: Playón Sur del NH Gran Hotel Provincial, Bv. Marítimo Patricio Peralta Ramos and Las Heras.
-13: 00hs: Closing Banquet of Basque National Week 2018, with the participation of authorities from the Basque Government, Provincial Government and City Government, delegations and national and foreign companions, partners and supporters. Presentation of the prize to the winner of the Basque National Week Logo Contest. Place: Hall of the Americas of the NH Gran Hotel Provincial, Av. Marítima Patricio Peralta Ramos 2502
-17: 00hs: Farewell to the delegations.

More information here: Centro Vasco Denak Bat MDP