Euskal kultura

The Euskal Echea School of Llavallol celebrated its annual Basque festival with more than 1,000 children between the ages of 2-18. The day that began with dance performances and sports exhibitions closed with the exhibit of micro-enterprises, and also had a special moment dedicated to the Bicentennial of the Declaration of Independence of Argentina. Directed by Aitor Alava, the dantzaris danced a new dance, “Cueca-Fandango,” a combination of Basque and Argentine.

Llavallol, Argentina. The Big Basque Festival where the Euskal Echea School in Llavallol shares with their student body what they have learned, took place last Saturday, October 29th. Many attended the event including members of the Euskal Echea Cultural Association and the Euskal Echea’s Charity organization, officials and members of the Alumni Association, the Parents’ Union, faculty and non-faculty, families, students and friends. The festival opened with the entrance of flags accompanied by a military band “Combate de San Lorenzo, from the Sargento Cabral School of non-commissioned officers directed by Captain Sergio Mastandrea.

Afterwards, everyone present sang Gernikako Arbola, and Izaskun Ordoki, General Coordinator of the School welcomed everyone, blessed the day and the General Director of the School, Jorge Barros, also addressed the public. As every year, the dance performances included both Basque and Argentine folklore. Among the novelties, as well as a way to honor the Bicentennial of Argentina’s Independence, the dantzaris from the Euskal Echea, directed by Aitor Alava, debuted “Cueca-Fancdango.”

To conclude the first part of the festival, the traditional "Estampa Vasca" gathered more than 1,000 students who performed as a group the following dances: Zapatari Dantza/Eskotixa, Gorulariak, Orhiko Xoria, Ingurutxo/Imotz, Arin Txinparta, Fandango and Arin and Biribilketa. The dance groups from Denak Bat in Lomas de Zamora and those form the Laurak Bat and Eusko Kultur Etxea Basque clubs in Buenos Aires City also joined the hosts in an Agurra in the beginning, and again at the end. Maria Elena Etcheverry, president of Eusketxe and Ekin Publishers also joined the celebration.

The festival ran into the evening with proposals linked to other tasks developed by the school community. There were academic displays, a recital by the choir and an exhibit of micro-enterprises. There was also a small dance with Dantza Piko guided by Aitor Alava.

Notes related to the festival: Dantz-ango