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The Basque club in this Andean town has already begun its 2018 activities program, invited by the municipality to represent the Basque community in the city’s 120^th anniversary events.  The club is also firming up details to also begin preparing its “Patxagon,” and resume Basque dance classes. 

San Martin de los Andes, Argentina.   Next June the Euskal Txokoa Basque Club will celebrate its fourth anniversary and keeping true to its foundational objectives it will work hard to keep maintaining and spreading the Basque culture in the province of Neuquen.  The road hasn’t always been an easy one but the group lead by Manuel Bustingorry has faced obstacles and has now achieved a place in the community.

This motivation encouraged the club to represent the Basque community at the 120th anniversary festivities of San Martin de los Andes.  The parade took place on the Banks of the Lacar Lake, where the authorities viewing box was set up.  The club paraded with the Ikurriña in front of the authorities led by Governor Omar Gutierrez and Mayor Brunilda Rebolledo.

Even if we are already in February, club members are already finalizing the new program of activities for the year included dance classes. The teacher will be former dancer from Mendiko Euzko Etxea in Bariloche, Mariana Torres, and classes will be held in the Neighborhood Center in Molino, in Cascada.  Times will be announced soon.

Patxaran ‘Patxagon’

Another activity that will begin is the 2018 production of the club’s own “patxaran” with its own recipe and that the club has commercialized under the name “Patxagon.” The preparation of the homemade liquor began almost the same time that the club was formed, and responds to the club’s need to become self-sufficient.  The proposal was very well-received by the audience, and according to Bustingorry, last year they sold some 50 liters to Mendiko Euzko Etxea to be used at the Festival of Foreign Communities in Bariloche.

Also looking to the future, the club is getting ready to participate in the fifth meeting of Patagonian Basque Clubs.  This will take place in May in Comodoro Rivadavia.