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This institution founded in 1877, the Basque-Navarran Charity Center in Havana, better known now as the Euskal Etxea of Cuba – Cubako Euskal Etxea, celebrated its General Assembly on December 18th and reviewed the year while presenting plans for 2017.  One of the main concerns for the coming year will be the celebration of the 140th anniversary of the club that will be celebrated with a week of activities in July.  “Everyone is invited,” club president Renato Garcia Egusquiza said.

Havana, Cuba.   Big plans for the Euskal Etxea in Cuba that will celebrate its 140th anniversary in 2017, which makes this club one of the oldest in the entire Basque Diaspora.  “We are the second to the oldest club in the world that is still active, behind Laurak Bat in Buenos Aires,” Garcia Egusquiza said.  “There was an older Basque club here in the island in the town of Matanzas founded in 1868, but it doesn´t exist anymore,” he added.  In the hope that the New Year will bring with it new projects, the club celebrated its General Assembly on December 18th.

At the meeting a review of the year was presented to members including profits and losses, as well as highs and lows.  During the last year 10 members have passed away, Garcia Egusquiza told EuskalKultura.com, and there was also “an increase of our memberships with new additions; more qualitative than quantitative, as most are direct descendants of Basques.”

Invitation to participate in the 140th anniversary festivities

The Basque club is preparing an ambitious program to celebrate in July its 140th anniversary.  Among the activities is a concert by musician Joseba Gotzon, who will tour on the occasion of another anniversary: the 80 years since the creation of the Basque soccer selection that toured Europe and America after the Civil War, funded by the Basque Government in exile.

Besides this concert, the club is also preparing an entire week of activities to celebrate.  “We want it to be a big anniversary, joyful and participative; we want to share our joy, but not only with our Basque-Cuban friends, but with all Cubans in general, as well as with all the Basques in the Diaspora and Euskal Herria,” he said.  “Any artists, musicians or individuals who can contribute to the cultural contribution of the event are welcome.  We would also warmly welcome anyone wishing to participate in the festivities,” he assures.

Renato Garcia Egusquiza insists that anyone coming to Cuba for the festivities “must feel at home.  We are preparing everything with care. Make your plans, we are waiting for you.”  The club email is: avnb@enet.cu.