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The Ibai Txori Basque Club in Concepción del Uruguay, Argentina, on the banks of the Uruguay River, will again provide its community a large array of recreational and cultural proposals including one of the most anticipated, Basque classes that will begin at the clubhouse in two weeks on Saturday, April 22nd, thanks to irakasle Alejo Conti from Rosario. This is no small feat taken up by many euskal etxeas in their continued commitment to the language and culture. 

Concepción del Uruguay, Argentina. Sometimes just wanting to do something doesn’t result in being able to do it, but little by little sometimes it becomes possible.  This is what has occurred in several cities, as well as in Concepcion del Uruguay in the Province of Entre Rios, that didn’t have a Basque teacher locally, despite the hope of offering classes at the local Basque club.  However, perseverance won out and after contacting Alejo Conti in Rosario they have been able to provide classes since last year in their annual program of activities.

As Basque Club member Lucia Arcelus told EuskalKultura.com, “It was a pending yearning and fortunately we were able to somehow achieve it.  Alejo comes one Saturday a month, but in the course of that month, thanks to new technology, we stay in touch and he sends us material that we continue to work on.  Incorporation of these classes was a high priority for the club since it allowed more people to become involved, even some outside of our community who are interested in the language.”

During these days of Korrika, the consistency and adherence to Basque culture and language is part of the excitement, effort and commitment of Basque clubs, large and small, to their roots and identity that they wish to actively promote personally as well as in their communities.  An effort that often, as in this case, encompasses the joint commitment of students and teachers; one making the effort to travel to the town in question, offering face to face classes, as well as teaching online; and the others attending classes and dedicating time to work on the computer as well as at the Euskal Etxea entering in to the secrets of the Basque language.

This year, classes will begin on Saturday April 22nd from 8:30-12:30pm at the clubhouse located at Calle 14 de Julio 83.

Crafts, dance and cooking

Other workshops will also continue this year that are established in the Basque club’s activities.  Crafts, taught by Lucia Arcelus, is held on Monday and Tuesday from 16:30-18:30pm.  There will also be dance classes with Delfina Soutier on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 19-20:00 and 20:00-21:00pm.

In regards to gastronomy, members of Ibai Txori hold a cooking workshop every Friday of the month of May.  In each of these gatherings a member shares and teaches a family Basque recipe.  Leaving the kitchen, the club has also announced that it will continue its monthly food sales.  According to Arcelus, it is an activity that has two goals: “on the one hand, we get to introduce typical Basque dishes, and on the other, it has become an important fundraiser for us.  Sales take place once a month and each time, more people request that we prepare one dish or another.  It is truly a success!” she said.  The next sale will take place on May 6th.

Facebook, Asociación Vasca Ibai Txori Concepción del Uruguay