euskalkultura.eus

The exhibit was inaugurated on Monday at the Hall of Honor at the Legislative Palace in the city of Buenos Aires, where it will be open to view through Friday.  With this exhibit that the legislature declared of public interest, the Basque painter will say farewell to Argentina after also having participated in Semana Nacional Vasca in San Nicolas. 

Buenos Aires, Argentina.   The French painter of Basque origin, Miguel Etxebarria, settled in Argentina for three months in hopes of presenting his work at the Semana Nacional Vasca in San Nicolas.  Being on this side of the Atlantic, he also had other possibilities and organized two exhibits in Buenos Aires: one at the Eusko Kultur Etxea and the second at the Legislature.  In October he also traveled to Trenque Lauquen to participate in the Festival of Ham, invited by the local Euskal Sustraiak Basque Club, organizers of the vent.  The invitation wasn’t by chance, since Etxebarria was chosen last year as the painter for Baiona’s Ham Festival.

In regards to the exhibit at the Legislature, it was inaugurated on November 27 with a ceremony that included the participation of authorities including Deputy Marcelo Guouman, manager of the organization of activity in the enclosure, and the Basque Government Delegate in Argentina, Sara Pagola.  At the event Guouman addressed those present and stressed the legacy of the immigrants in the construction of the country and the Basque origin of the reference of the Radical Party, Hipolito Yrigoyen.  As part of the inauguration, the legislator presented the artist with a diploma that declares his exhibit of “Cultural Interest” by the legislature.

Miguel Etxebarria also addressed the public to talk about some of the characteristics of his work.  Remember that “Basques from There. Basques from Here,” is composed of 25 works, all painted by Etxeberria during his stay in Argentina.  In regards to the themes, they include typical topics from Euskal Herria like the coast, the mountains, the sea and baserris, typical festivities, myths, and daily life…..In his words, “There are many Basque from here who have not travelled to Euskal Herria and this is a way of bringing them these images.

The exhibit will be open to the public through December 1st at the Hall of Honor at the Legislature in Buenos Aires (Peru 160).  Hours are 9am-noon and admission is free and open to the public.