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New York, NY.  After not participating for some time, the Basque community returned last Monday with its entry in the traditional Columbus Day parade, one of the largest parades in New York City where this holiday is observed.  Fifth Avenue included a large, joyful Basque representation that contributed actively to the colors, the enthusiasm, and the vivacity of this event that spans Manhattan.

There members from the New York Basque club as well as other who came from all over the US, as well as from Quebec, Uruguay, Paris and the Basque Country including representatives of the Basque Government.  In the artistic section there were dantzaris, and singers from the US as well as Euskal Herria in a festive atmosphere facilitated by the great weather, in spite of some risk of rain.  Here is a photo chronicle of the event:

[Basque participants in the parade waiting their turn to join in.  Everything is rigorously organized and controlled by fences and police.  The costumes of the various groups and in particular the Basques who joined the parade called the attention of spectators and the crowds that gathered to watch the parade (photo EuskalKultura.com)]

[Basques participating in the parade dressed in traditional Basque costumes and carrying the Ikurriña, along with the US flag, in this parade organized by the Italian community in New York, one of the largest in the city (photo EuskalKultura.com)]

[While waiting their turn, there was no better way to warm up than to dance incorporating official dancers with impromptu ones to the sounds of the txistu and the tamboril (photo EuskalKultura.com)]

[Even though the group following was an Italian group with a full band, the Basques were not left behind with their txistu and trikitixa, supplemented by the tireless animation their neighbors (photo EuskalKultura.com)]

One of the banners that led the group with Iker Goñi (EENY), Asier Vallejo (Basque Gov’t), Itziar Albisu Kobayashi (EENY) and club president Aitzol Asurtza, Marijose Sorrondegi and Alaitz Goñi (photo EuskalKultura.com)]

[Among the participants coming from far away, in the photo are Basques from Paris, Zuberoa and Quebec, sharing in the commemorative events with their friends in the NY Basque club (photo EuskalKultura.com)]

[Among the artists visiting from Euskadi, shown here, are members of the San Antonio de Iralabarri choir from Bilbao.  They enjoyed great success at their various performances throughout the week in different places in New York.  They are directed by Maite Zugazaga (photo EuskalKultura.com)]

[At the beginning of the parade, one of the first Basque club banners carried from left to right by Julen Abio and his daughter, active members of Eusko Etxea of New York, along with Teodor Azurtza, on the right, who came from Paris for the event (photo EuskalKultura.com)]

[Behind the second banner are members of the New York Basque club along with some guests.  The Basque representation wore number entry number 79 in the parade (photo EuskalKultura.com)]

[There were also banners carried by the president of Euskaldunak of Quebec, Adelaide Daraspe, sporting a spectacular hairdo inspired by the Basque carnival, by Cristophe Pavia from Hendaia.  Next to her is Marijo Olaziregi, of the Etxepare Basque Institute and Ernest Behaxategui member of the board of directors of the Quebec Basque club along with Iker Goñi New York’s club secretary (photo EuskalKultura.com)]

[Dancers participating in the celebration included the Utah’ko Triskalariak from Salt Lake City Utah, as well as dancers from the Basque Country with the Urki dance group from Andoain shown here (photo EuskalKultura.com)]

[Dancers and choir members as well as people carrying Ikurriñas received great accolades and expressions of affection by the public who lined Fifth Avenue (photo EuskalKultura.com)]

[When the parade permitted, there were small Basque dance exhibitions from various parts of the Basque Country to the delight of the crowd who applauded loudly (photo EuskalKultura.com)]

[The colorful costumes and the special characteristics of the Basques participation aroused the curiosity of many spectators.  There were also Irrintzis, different music and song from the participants in the parade.  Many people took photos and filmed videos of the Basques, as well as some television channes.  Some of them were familiar with the Basques, while others had some vague idea and many asked about the costumes, and music as well as, who was this group participating in the parade (photo EuskalKultura.com)]

                                 To be continued…