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The Etxe Alai Basque Club decided this year, on the 80th anniversary of the Bombing of Gernika to join in the commemoration of the Day of Peace in a special way, to be celebrated on September 21st.  Responding to the invitation from the Literary Group “And they Return to being Trees,” on this day the club will plant a sapling on one of the sidewalks in the city.  Etxe Alai also reported on its latest “Member’s Day.” 

Pehuajo, Argentina.   The Etxea Alai Basque Club celebrated “Member’s Day,” on June 11th.  The activity proposed by Nilda Gorri in 2011, has become a successful event at the club, this year celebrating its 7th edition.  Even the organizers are surprised by the large number of attendees, some 70 people, including “life-long friends, new friends,” and representatives from other clubs, specifically from Trenque Lauquen and Carlos Casares.

As every year, at the most important part of the festivities, honoring one member, this year’s chosen member was Christian Larraburu.  Elida Oroz, club member explained to EuskalKultura.com that “Christian is from Pehuajo and has been involved in the club for a long time.  He was one of the first dantzaris, one of the first Basque students, and also represented the club at Gaztemundu.  He also accompanied the Gorri sisters on a trip to Berastegi, Gipuzkoa to hang a commemorative plaque on the tomb of Fr. Jakakortajarena, founder of Etxe Alai,” she also added “even if Christian doesn’t live here anymore, he has never stopped being a part of us.”

Christian Larraburu received a handmade txapela as part of the honor, along with warm applause.

Upcoming activities

Not in a hurry, but without taking a break the club has many plans in the short and long-term, and all their Energy is dedicated to those.  On July 27th, the club will celebrate 61 years and will celebrate it with a big locro sale on Sunday 30 (TBD).

On September 21, Etxe Alai will join in the commemoration of the International Day of Peace and will plant a sapling of the Tree of Gernika on one of its sidewalks that the organization “And they Return to being Trees,” has in the city. “It will be our message of peace in the year of the 80th anniversary of the Bombing; and the event won’t stop there.  We will also inaugurate a replica of Picasso’s Guernica, on a mural that we are painting at the clubhouse,” Oroz said.

Along with that, the club also continues its regular activities including Basque classes taught by Alejandra Bengochea.