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Boise, Idaho, USA. Undaunted by the cold weather that the US has been experiencing for some time, some Basque clubs there celebrated annual Basque festivals and charity fundraisers like those in Mountain Home and Caldwell, Idaho.  Basque teachers from Boise, Maria Fernandez, Izaskun Kortazar and Itxaso Cayero told us about their visit to Mountain Home, where they participated in the club’s annual Basque Dinner.

The three teachers taught various traditional Basque songs to those present and did a fair amount of translating for those who didn’t speak Basque.  According to them, the festival was a great success and more than one aitxitxe and amuma were thrilled to remember “the good times.”

46 years of solidarity in Caldwell

In Caldwell, Idaho, the Euzkaldunak Caldwell Basque Charities Association celebrated the 46th annual Caldwell Basque Charity Dinner Auction and Dance at the O’Connor Field House with many attending and a lot of money being raised. Proceeds will be donated to local groups and families who find themselves in need. 

"The event went well", says group members Gina Bicando Dowen to EuskalKultura.com. "The Caldwell Euzkaldunak is a group of 25 that donates our time and efforts to help make a difference in our community. Each year we use our lively culture and love of people to raise a great deal of money by hosting a sit down dinner, live auction, silent auction and raffle".

This year the club served a traditional Basque dinner to around 525 people of solomo and cod fish with pimentos, rice, salad, dinner roll and rice pudding, prepared by Epi's, a local Basque Restaurant in Meridian, Idaho. The event featured the Txantxangorriak group, from Boise; Herribatza Dantzariak (a group of children ages kindergarten to 8th grade performing traditional dance) and the world renown Oinkari Dancers of Boise, Idaho.

The sporting events included the "txinga eramatea" or weight carrying. "The Caldwell Police Department finished with over 1800 feet between the three carriers, but the Boise Fire Department, defending champion, was victorious with three carriers going nearly 2400 feet. We also had a sokatira where we invited local high schools. The kids pulled their hearts out and had a great time. The crowd was very involved and cheered the event participants on very loudly!", says Gina.

25000 dolars anually

"The event raises about $25000 annually, which we distribute back to the community throughout the year. Over our 46 year history we have passed nearly $2 million back to the community. We strive to make a “long lasting difference”", explains Gina.

"We help those that come upon a hardship such as an accident, or illness and cannot get traditional assistance. We take applications and letters requesting help- which are evaluated by our giving committee then they make a determination on how best to help the situation. Most of our help goes unadvertised- we are very private. We don’t post names of those we help in any of our our advertising unless they want to make the information known by thanking us publicly. We love receiving Thank you cards, and are honored when we make a difference for someone. I am a second generation member of the Caldwell Euzkaldunak and am honored to be a part of this great group"

More information on this article by the Idaho Press Tribune.