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Last Saturday, September 19th some fifty Gurtubays, including several from Argentina, Venezuela, Chile and England met in Atxondo, Bizkaia, where the last name originated from.  It was the first time that members of this large family could meet in person and get to know each other after years of communicating online.  As Basque-Argentine German Blas Gurtubay told EuskalKultura.com, they had an unforgettable time.

Bilbo, Bizkaia.   From his native Bahia Blanca, Basque-Argentine Blas Gurtubay learned Basque at the Basque club and from 10,000 kilometers away, he imagined the country of his ancestors.  Over the last few years, thanks to the internet, he contacted other Gurtubay’s and little by little they created online family links.

Last Saturday, fifty of them were able to meet face-to-face as well as visit the farmhouse where their last name originated from at their first family reunion that took place in Atxondo, Bizkaia.  Ana Gurtubay, from Bilbao and Argentine German Blas Gurtubay were the two main organizers of the event that surpassed all their expectations.

A Duchess in the family

“It was a total success,” German said.  “In Atxondo the Mayor welcomed us and let us use a room in the town hall where Mayte Sanchez de Gurtubay did a presentation on our family tree.”  The first Gurtubay is thought to be Catalina de Gurtubay, from Axpe Bizkaia from around 1500.  From there the family was through Bilbao a lot where one of them, Simon Gurtubay, made a fortune by importing cod from Norway.  One of his great-granddaughters would become even richer; the Duchess of Alba, Cayetana Fitz-James Stuart and Silva Falco and Gurtubay.

The visit of the Gurtubay’s to Atxondo also included a tour of its surroundings and visiting two farmhouses where the last name originate: Gurtubaybeaskoa and Gurtubayganekoa.  Family members took photos in front of them under the enjoyable September sun.

At the foot of Anboto

The day concluded with dinner where attendees could visit and get to know each other, exchanging family stories and anecdotes.  “By the time we got to the restaurant, I already had the sensation that we had been together our whole lives, and of course, how couldn’t we be if we date back to 1500!,” German joked.

“It was a great family lunch sharing about our lives, likes, hobbies….and finally getting to know each other in this most beautiful spot at the foot of Anboto.  For years I went to the local Basque club in my town of Bahia Blanca and studied Basque and the Basque culture, I have seen hundreds of photos and they don’t do it justice.  This is a beautiful country,” he concluded.

Encouraged by the experience, the Gurtubays are already preparing their next reunion in 2017, and in the meantime will welcome new members with open arms through their Facebook group thanks to the interest generated from this get-together.