euskalkultura.eus

Classes began on Monday, although participants in NABO’s annual children’s culture camp, Udaleku, arrived on Sunday from various towns in the US, Canada and the Basque Country.  Just over 100 campers will spend two weeks playing, making friends and becoming more knowledgeable of their Basque culture, and the Basque-American tradition.

Chino, CA.  Because that is what Udaleku is about.  The goal of the camp is to make friends and enjoy, all while learning, having a good time, practicing and sharing the Basque culture and a series of traditional elements that are perpetuated and transmitted in North American Basque communities.

Just over 100 children between the ages of 10 and 15 coming from various US communities in Pennsylvania, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and California, as well as from Canada and the Basque Country to participate in this year’s Udaleku, June 25-July 7^th at the Chino Fairgrounds with the drop-off being held at the Chino Basque Club.

Participants are Basque-American children and the instructors hail from Chino, as well as a majority coming from Nafarroa, Baztan, Doneztebe, plus one instructor from Abadiño, in Bizkaia.

The program includes daily classes on various subjects like Euskera, pilota, mus, txistu, culutre, song and dance, as well as other electives such as gastronomy, design and the creation of a mural.

It goes without saying that such an undertaking requires strong auzolan or the work of a community.  This year’s coordinator is Maite Maisterrena.  Working with her is a strong team of collaborators.  It wouldn’t be possible without the strong support of both the Chino and Southern California Basque Clubs.  Not to mention the willingness of several local Basque families who house the children during this time, and who take them back and forth from Udaleku every day.

Also without forgetting the volunteers who donate their time and enthusiasm cleaning, preparing and helping wherever necessary, or taking campers in their own vehicles from one activity to another.  Also those who donate products, money, or who have paid for materials donated to Udaleku.  Also the parents of participating children who also contribute in various ways so that this initiative can be carried out every year as successfully as it is.

The latest edition of Udaleku began in Chino yesterday, with the future of this country’s Basque community.  Here they will participate, make friends and have a good time while learning, and sharing experiences appreciating their roots, maybe as their parents did also in Udaleku 20 or 30 years ago.