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The Euzko Etxea was passed the baton for the organization of Semana Vasca 2016 by Macachin where it took place last year, and has been getting ready ever since. So that Basque club delegations can start planning their trips, the organization has published the price of the vouchers.  They have also taken advantage to let us know about another one of its great initiatives: the Hator Hona Program. 

Necochea, Argentina.  After five years, the National Semana Vasca will return this year to Necochea, where it will be held November 7-13.  During these seven days, but above all on the weekend, several activities will be carried out in the city that members of the Basque community can enjoy, along with their non-Basque neighbors.  As every year, the event will also be a huge dantzari get together, since all of the Basque club dance groups that participate will be featured at Saturday’s Gala.  The festivities will also include a tamborrada, music performances, dances, and plaza dancing, and of course the farewell luncheon on Sunday.

Even if the program has yet to be published, some events and performances can be revealed.  In regards to dancing, Patxi eta Konpainia will be there with a proposal that combines show and dance instruction.

Another first will be in the area of Euskera.  Euzko Etxea told us that it is organizing a “Mintzodromo” or a “mintzagune” (a place to talk) where Basque speakers from the Basque Country and Argentina, students and teachers, can gather to speak and practice Basque.  “What we are looking for in this Semana Vasca is to give Euskera more visibility,” Marcial Agostini Zubillaga, Basque teacher in training at the Euskal Etxea told EuskalKultura.com.

Finally, and probably the main event of the week will be a performance by Kalakan from Iparralde.  During their tour through Argentina and Uruguay, the trio who shared the stage with Madonna will perform at Semana Vasca on November 11.

Vouchers

Details of the 2016 Semana Vasca vouchers follow:

-Voucher dantzari and Basque Student for 3 days (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday): $2500.

-Chaperones Voucher for 3 days $3,000.

-Voucher dantzari and Basque Student for two days (Saturday and Sunday): $1,700

-Chaperones for two days $2,200

Vouchers include breakfast, hotel, lunches, dinners and the farewell dinner as well as admission to the two dances.  For more information: centrovasconecochea@yahoo.com.ar.

Hator Hona 2016

The five Basque youth who are participate in this year’s Hator Hona arrived in Argentina on July 15 and right away went to work at the Euskal Etxea.  Their stay went smoothly, and during the first two weeks they trained groups in Euskera, with Alaitz Imaz Arrondo, from Segura, and Maite Murgia Ioldi from Lazkao.  Dance classes for all ages were taught by Amaia Alvarez Etxeberria from Beasain, and Julene Otegi Beldarrain, from Mungia; as well as music workshops, specifically Pandero with Julene and Trikitixa with Alaitz and Maite.  Sports, including pilota and rural sports were taught by Danel Llavori from Zumaia.

According to club sources, “the first days were above all getting organized so that our visitors could get to know the city a bit, but the truth is, is that the weather didn’t cooperate and so they weren’t able to travel a lot.  Nevertheless, they were able to see enough to be impressed.  It is their first time in Argentina and so the distances from one city to another really amazed them.  They couldn’t believe that we have to travel so much.”

As at every Hator Hona, the locals took full advantage of their stay, learning new things and strengthening ties with them.  This year, 2016, will conclude on August 5 with the Aitona Festival and the feast of Andra Mari Zuria.