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The Euskal Etxea in Maipú has been organizing its 40th Birthday party for months.  Finally, the day arrived and “everything was perfect, as we expected,” said club sources.  One of the tasks over these months was to gather those who participated over the forty years in the club’s construction, and maintenance.  The board was able to find them and each one was recognized at the lunch. 

Maipu, Argentina.   The San Fermin and 40th anniversary festivities at the Anaitasuna Basque club gathered nearly 200 people who wanted to share this important date with the local Basque community.  

The program began with Mass offered for the club and its deceased members.  Basque club guards presided over the ceremony with txikis in traditional costume, dancing of the Aurresku and a floral offering on the altar.

At noon, the entire Anaitasuna team greeted their guests from over the years, and of all ages.  To begin the lunch, club president, Alicia Ithurrart addressed the audience not only with a welcome, but also be stressing “the achievements, and the path and work that had been done, and is yet to do.”  She also reminded everyone present of Pedro Mendiola, who passed away in February, one of the main pillars of the club since its creation.  “Member of Egunabar since 1976, member of the board since 2004, and father for five dantzaris….excellent person, friend and companion, with much sorry, but also with the joy of having had him among us, we say ‘Agur Pedro,’” the president expressed emotionally.

Beginning of the festivities

After the formal address, the party opened with an Aurresku after which the meal was served.  Many of the valuable people in the history of the club were also recognized.  According to club sources, “when we began to organize our anniversary lunch, we were very happy with what we have achieved, recognizing that what we have today isn’t just the work of a few, but the silent and sustained effort of many people from different eras who participated in various ways.  So we wanted to thank and recognize them, knowing that there will be many more to mention in future celebrations.”

The list of tributes was extensive, and each received a diploma between courses, and those in charge of presenting them were the current members of the club.

-In 1976 when Anaitasuna was founded, the Euskal Etxea in Mar del Plata sponsored it.  That is why the Denak Bat Basque club was specially recognized.  Receiving the diploma were the President, Miguel Valencia and Vice-President, Asier Irriberri.

-Pelotaris: in 1977 the city of Villa Maria, Cordoba, the pair Corbalan-Zabala won the National Pelota Paleta Championship.  These pelotaris were also recognized.

-Muslaris: The national champions in 1979, 1980, and 1982 were recognized, they represented Argentina in Euskadi, and Chile: Néstor Lazcano, Martín Elorriaga and Roberto Mendiola.

-Ismael and Oscar Errecalde, brothers in charge of the Errecalde Workshop were recognized for their work in acquiring a stage and to adapt the needs of the “innovative and growing” club dance group, Egunabar.

-Julia Ester Ercoreca and Coca Mendiola were recognized for working from the “boutique” on creating replicas of the costumes worn by dance groups in the Basque Country for the local dancers.

Recognizion of dantzaris and directors

-To the winners of the Buenos Aires Youth Tournaments in 1988, Felicitas Elorriaga, Elaudia Pais, Ignacio Odescalchi, Nicolas Odescalchi, Nicolas Aguayo, Juan Elizondo, Facundo Irusta, Federico Uribe, Marcela Barredo, Mara Emilia Ugalde, Agustina Uria, Agustina Uribe, Mercedes Uribe, Jorgelina Igarza, Natalia Albaitero, Belen Togni, Vanesa Errecalde and Ignacio Derdoy. Directed by Wenceslao Muir, winning first prize: a trip to the Basque Country.

-To the directors of the adult group of Egunabar dancers, Sofia Leonelli, Soledad Gestido, Andrea Odescalchi, Mariano Iborra, Mamuno Coudannes, Wency Miur, Iñaki (who received the award in the name of his father Pedro Mendiola) and Eugenia Uribe.

-Special mention of the first director of the men’s Egunabar group, Luis Irriberry, who traveled to Mar del Pata every Friday to work with a group of 12 youth, showing in this way “only a small portion of his rich and generous personality.”

-One of the most emotional moments of the ceremony was remembering the creator and first director of Egunabar, Marita Ercoreca.  Passing away in 2011, Marita was not only responsible for giving life to this “seedling” that constitutes the dance group but was also one of the club’s founders.  When the award was presented to his wife, Katxin Fagoaga, all Marita’s dancers tood the stage to dance a Fandango.

Final Surprises

Throughout the meal, the hosts continued to surprise the audience.  There were dances by the txikis of Egunabar; and a video was shown of Federico Callejas, sent from Ecuador with a performance of an Aurresku on a guitar.  There was also a video of the 40 years of the club in images (see here) and finally “Zorionak Zuri” was sung with a birthday cake decorated with the club’s logo.  The afternoon was full of more dancing and live music provided by accordionist, Fabian Maya.

“We were committed to having a large attendance, through social media as well as contacting people personally from a register that was left by Marita Ercoreca.  The response was excellent and so we are all very happy.  The lunch lasted until 6pm, and since the greetings and congratulatory messages haven’t stopped, “Alicia Ihurrart told EuskalKultura.com.

More photos from the festivities can be found on Facebook:  Anaitasuna Basque Club.