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Comodoro Rivadavia, Argentina.  Located on the border of Chubut and Santa Cruz provinces, the Association Euskal Echea in Comodoro Rivadavia is the oldest Basque in the Argentinean Patagonia.  Founded in 1923, the club celebrated its 90^th Birthday this year, on October 19, with a huge party at the city’s Galego Center. 

The event began at 9pm and lasted until dawn with music and dance.  During dinner Lara Goicoechea was crowned queen of the Euskal Etxea for 2013-2014 and members who have belonged for more than 50 years were also honored. 

[There were desserts and a birthday cake made by the chef and the local dantzari Edu Vergel.  The night’s menu included Salad, vitel tone, chicken rolls, pork, German meat and as a main dish, haddock a la Bizkaina (photoEE)]

On their behalf, the dancers also greatly participated in the festivities.  The “txikis” dances San Petrike, among others, and the intermediates performed Akelarre and Kaskarot, the advanced group, joined by the Haize Dantzariak presented a Fandango and Arin Arin and a suite that included Xiberotar Arkuak, Ezpatadantza and Kaxarranka.

[The Haize Dantzariak performing (photoEE)]

About midnight, and the night before Mother’s Day, a ham was raffled and every mother was presented a carnation.  “But the birthday party didn’t stop there,” club members told EuskalKultura.com.  “Every year, the Sunday after the anniversary, Antonio Baztan, club present, makes garlic soup for the dancers and the commission.  This year, since Sunday was Mother’s Day, we got together the Tuesday afterwards.”

Soccer in foreign communities

The club also announced that the Federation of Foreign Communities in Comodoro Rivadavia includes a sub commission of youth that organizes, throughout the year, various recreational and cultural activities.  This year, they are proposing a soccer tournament for both sexes with Basque participation.

[Club youth playing pilota, in the name of Euskal Herria, along with members of the South African community.  And those that don’t play, go to cheer their friends on (photoEE)]

The Association Euskal Echea in Comodoro Rivadavia participates in the Championship with the “Euskafrica” group made up of club members and representatives of the South American community.  The teams has won two matches and has advanced to the next level that will take place on December 10^th.