euskalkultura.eus

Many Basque communities and clubs around the world traditionally honor San Ignatius of Loyola as their patron saint. Some of them have been doing so for more than a century, preceding even the currently Basque clubs like those in Argentina; without forgetting cases like that College of the Vizcainas, in Mexico City, whose official name is the College of San Ignatius of Loyola, founded in 1732.  But today we are traveling north, to the San Inazio festivities in Boise, Idaho. 

Boise, ID.   The Basque community in Boise celebrates San Inazio (St. Ignatius) annually as its patron Saint.  When July 31st, the feast of San Inazi, doesn’t fall on a weekend, the festivities mover to the closest weekend to that date, as it did this year with the festivities taking place July 28-30th, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The San Inazio (sic) program for 2017 was published by EuskalKultura.com in last week’s agenda.  Summarizing the events, they have three points of interests or venues: the Basque Block (where the most festive events take place), St. John’s Cathedral (where the religious ceremony takes place), and the local city park (where the family picnic is held on Sunday with kid’s games and contests).

That is how it went last weekend too.  We have selected some images that will serve as an overview.  Also remember that every five years, the celebration of San Inazio coincides with Jaialdi, a huge international Basque festival. The next Jaialdi will be in 2020.