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Buenos Aires, Argentina. Despite the cold, thousands of people gathered on Sunday August 26 in the micro-center of Buenos Aires to celebrate the second edition of “Buenos Aires Celebrates the Basque Country.”  Even the unfavorable weather conditions were not an obstacle to the success of the event; the result of months of work and commitment of all participants.

The Avenida de Mayo was adorned in red, green and white and the event began with a parade of the students of the Euskal Echea Institute accompanied by dancers from all the participant Basque clubs.  The same dancers shared both stages as well as the street to present their choreographies.  Other groups that perform include the following: Ixilik, Baietz and Maral, who entertained the audience with their melodies and the execution of instruments that were unknown by the majority of those present.  Those who attended “Buenos Aires Celebrates” could also enjoy the voices of the renowned choir Lagun Onak.

[The dancers also showed the city what Euskal Herria means during “Buenos Aires Celebrates” 2012 (photo Z. Lopez Cerruti)]

As far as the stands, it is worth mentioning that information made available to those in attendance was ample and varied.  In different areas people could find out about, among other topics, the Basque language, genealogy, sports, publications and costumes, to name a few. Not only colors marked the presence of the Basque community on this important avenue in Buenos Aires. The aroma of Basque dishes also flooded the city center and gastronomic stands that became the most popular throughout the afternoon. Basque  clubs and gastronomic groups were in charge of pintxos and “cazuelas,” including the Laurak Bat Basque club, the Basque Language School Euskaltzaleak, Laprida Basque club, the San Nicolas Basque club, the General Villegas Basque club, Goierri Gastronomic Society, the Denak Bat Basque club of Lomas de Zamora, IAG, and the group “I’ll Cook.”

[Without a doubt, the gastronomic offerings were the most successful throughout the day (photo M. Maiztegui)]

Meanwhile, on stage and along the avenue, the renowned chefs and Itziar Aguirre and Borja Blazquez cooked live and then their dishes were raffled off.

During the day one could also visit the traveling exhibits “The Basque Footprint” and “Our Clothes,” that traveled to Buenos Aires especially for this occasion.  In the afternoon, representatives from the various Basque clubs began to say farewell to the capital of Buenos Aires with music and dance and a big kalejira that included Gigantes and Cabezudos.  For the second year in a row, the tribute by the city to the Basque Country was clearly a success, anticipating the third edition that will surely surpass the previous ones.