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There were more than 400 people for lunch, at the Basque Weekend organized by Euzko Alkartasuna in Machachin, Argentine La Pampa.  The event also included various activities for those who traveled to the city in La Pampa for the weekend.  Mus tournament, Basque rural sports, dancing and tributes were some of the proposals that were held.  Organizers are hoping to make this an annual event and include it on the Argentine Basque calendar. 

Macachín, Argentina.   From September 30-October 2, the first “Basque Weekend” was held in Macachín, organized by the local Euzko Alkartasuna Basque Club with the participation of representatives from Basque clubs in Trenque Lauquen, San Nicolás, Cañuelas, Rosario, Laprida, La Plata, Mar del Plata, Necochea, Gral. Acha, Santa Rosa and Junín.

Even if the event began with dinner on Friday night, the majority of the activities took place after lunch on Saturday with the Mus Tournament “San Miguel de Aralar.”  Twenty eight teams competed on Saturday and Sunday and the winners were Orlando Alomar and Joaquín Flecha representing the hosting club.

The 40th anniversary of the club’s pilota court “Jose Leon Chapartegui,” also coincided with the weekend.  At the event that opened with an “Aurresku photos of pilotaris over the 40 years were displayed and plaques were also presented.  After the tributes, there was a pilota paleta, eskuz, and xare exhibitions thanks to local pilotaris and those from La Plata.  Saturday’s program concluded with dinner that also included music and dancing.

On Sunday morning, the main event were the rural sports exhibitions and competitions.  The local harrijasotzaleak (weight lifters), Diego Comezaña and Pablo Arce, lifted 100kgs stones.  Other guests clubs also competed in the weight carrying competition.

To conclude the event, Euzko Alkartasuna provided a meal for visitors and neighbors.  A total of 400 people gathered at the Basque club to enjoy the wonderful BBQ and the Basque dances provided by the local club and the Lagunen Etxea dancers in Laprida.  According to club representatives, “the event was very successful". "We are very happy many Basque clubs also joined in from around the country", they said.  "The idea is to make this an annual event, on this date, and make the “Basque Weekend,” in Macachin an event that is included on the calendar of the Basque Diaspora in Argentina".