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Throughout the weekend, various units from the large Necochea Basque club, as well as other streets and venues in the city were decorated in red, green and white with the presence of hundreds of people who came from all over Argentina, as well as Uruguay, Brazil, and Chile to celebrate Semana Nacional Vasca 2016.  Besides this article and images from today, EuskalKultura.com, will publish, every day this week, a summary with images and videos from the festival.  On egin! (Enjoy!).

Necochea, Argentina.   Dantzaris, musicians, and representatives from Basque clubs and communities across the country met last weekend in Necochea to join in the various activities that make up Semana Vasca 2016.  As is the custom, Basques and friends also attended from Uruguay, Brazil and Chile as well as individuals and entities from Euskal Herria, representing institutions, artists as well as regular visitors.

Two talks, from the initiative Hator Hona and the Gure Esku Dago dynamic took place to start off Friday including a concert by Kalakan at the Paris Theater.  Friday and Saturday nights included dances to the music of Emon from Bergara, as well as opportunities in other areas to dance mutxikoak, and circle dances to the music of Patxi Perez and his band, or to sing, and dance spontaneously at the bar, since there was no lack of musicians and instruments.  Inside and out, the program was characterized by the desire and talent to celebrate “in the shared Basque style;” at this festival that brings together members of the same people and culture that surpasses countries and continents.

The expressions of this people were once again featured at Semana Vasca, affirming its commitment to provide continuity and preserve the culture for future generations wherever they are born.  Euskera was especially celebrated with the Mintzodromo that joined Basque speakers through video-conference on Saturday on both sides of the ocean, those in Necochea and others at the Araeta Cider House in Donostia.

This year there was a large representation from Iparralde among the European visitors.  Musicians and artists like Patxi Perez eta Konpainia, Kalakan, and members of the expedition by the Lower Navarre Association, Euskal Argentina, who was present all weekend long.  Institutionally, the Basque Government was represented by Marian Elorza, Secretary General of Foreign Action, along with Asier Vallejo, Director of the Basque Community Abroad, along with Delegate of Euskadi in Argentina-Mercosur, Sara Pagola.  Jasone Agirre, parliamentarian for EH Bildu in Bizkaia was also in attendance.

There were also groups of dancers from Hernani and Azpeitia was well as singers who added rhythm, music, dance and entertainment to the weekend.  We will speak more about these and other participants in our full coverage of the event beginning tomorrow on EuskalKultura.com.  Here is a general overview of the events in this photo gallery.  On egin!