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The initiative belongs to young Basque-Argentines, Valentina Miguelena and Eliana Dubarry, who created “Bi Gara” (There are two of us) to design and sell products that reflect their love for the Basque culture but also are very functional.  Among the object that they provide are “espadrille bags,” Kalimotxo glasses, as well as thermoses, all with a Basque designs.  The products from “Bi Gara,” can be purchased in Pergamino, Buenos Aires as well as online. 

Pergamino, Argentina.  Besides having Basque last names, Valentina Miguelena and Eliana Dubarry, creators of “Bi Gara,” have a special commitment to their origins and the dissemination of the Basque culture.  In fact, for them, the Basque club is “like a second house, a place to maintain our roots and share the culture we inherited with people who have the same feeling of belonging.”  In the case of Valentina, born in the heart of “a life-long family at the Pergamino Basque Club", she was "only 2 months old when my father, current club vice-president, took me to Lagun Onak (the local Basque club).  When I was little I was a dantzari and now I am part of the food preparation crew there,” Valentina told us in a conversation with EuskalKultura.com.

Eliana, originally from Chacabuco, also came to the club when she was small.  “Since the age of 3 I participated in the Guillermo Larregui Basque Club in Chacabuco, and now I’ve been in Pergamino for a year and I'm part of the ‘Goizeko Izarra’ dancers at Lagun Onak,” she said.

“Bi Gara”

Surrounded by Basque stories and knowing the experience of being part of the Diaspora, Valentina and Eliana created “Bi Gara” bringing together their love for design and for the Basque Country.  The undertaking was very successful and the two are covering a demand that they saw while participanting in Buenos Aires in the festival “Buenos Aires Celebrates 2014.”  As Valentina explains, “The idea to create ‘Bi Gara,” came up two years ago when while “Buenos Aires Celebrates,” we realized that Basque merchants always sell the same items more or less… ikurriñas, and lauburus, since those are the most representative at first glance.  But in reality, we feel like there is a cultural heritage that is much larger that is not being used.  In addition, we are also interested in creating functional products for the community, for example the 'espadrille bags' to carry your shoes from practice, created especially for dantzaris.”

With this goal in mind and these new and original designs in hand, “Bi Gara,” debuted at this year’s “Buenos Aires Celebrates the Basque Country” with a variety of products including the ‘espadrille bags' made out of patterned fabric, multi-function glass bottles, kalimotxo glasses, eco-bags, stickers, thermoses and water heater covers.  “What sold the most were the 'espadrille bags' that are very useful since they are made of washable fabric, and can be kept in any bag no problem.  The kalimotxo glasses and thermoses were also very successful.  It is important for items to be practical, so for the next edition we are going to launch garment bags that dancers can keep their costumes in, mates, and new thermos designs,” the designer said.

Where to get them

Products sold by “Bi Gara,” are available currently in Pergamino, in Wakamole (Pueyrredón 646), and at the Euskaltzaleak Basque Club in Buenos Aires (Bernardo de Irigoyen 826). They can also be ordered via Facebook Bi Gara or via email: bigaravascas@hotmail.com including the delivery method you prefer. At this time, keeping in mind that Semana Nacional Vasca is approaching, they are taking order from people who will be attending the festivities.  "Delivery will take place face to face, we won’t be selling merchandise but delivering items previously ordered.  It is a way to keep costs down because we avoid the shipping this way,” she said.  “Bi Gara” designs can also be seen on Instagram: bi.gara