euskalkultura.eus

Necochea, Argentina. This year’s trip is like that of 2008 taken by 23 youth in that case.  At that time they presented a show composed of Argentine and Basque dances in Azpeitia, Oiartzun, Villabona, Lemoa, Hernani, Zeanuri, Legutio and Etxarri-Aranatz.  This time it is a new generation of dancers that will have the opportunity to dance in the land of their grandparents.

So far presentations have been confirmed in Banka (Behe Nafarroa) on July 13, in Irurtzun (Nafarroa) on the 17^th and on the 20^th in Tolosa (Gipuzkoa) the 21^st in Donostia, during the neighborhood fiestas in Gros, on the 25^th in Bergara (Gipuzkoa) and on the 28^th in Pasaia (Gipuzkoa) on the 31^st in Lemo (Bizkaia) and TBA another presentation in Gorliz (Bizkaia).  Many of these presentations will be in conjunction with local groups.

Two years of preparation

According to Gazte Alai sources “This trip is the culmination of two years of preparation, which has included more than one setback.  If we have made it to this point it is thanks to the help that we have received from our families, the Basque club, and the entire community, especially that of our numerous friends, as well as help from folks we have yet to meet.  They have worked for months in the Basque Country along with us so that we could realize this dream.”\

The group also thanks the collaboration of “the Euskal Etxea of La Plata that, since many of us study there, helped us find a place to practice.”

Finally, Gazte Alai would like to invite anyone who would like to participate in their project to come to Necochea for a dance exhibition on June 20 during the San Juan celebration, following the traditional Sorgina burning, or “in any corner of the Basque Country that we have the chance to meet.  We await you!”