euskalkultura.eus

Buenos Aires, Argentina.  On April 1^st the Centenarian Centre Basque Francais-Iparraldeko Basque Club in Buenos Aires celebrated another anniversary of its foundation with members and friends remembering founders of the institutions who gathered near the end of the 19^th century to create a center that would allow the Basques from the northern part of the country to bring their culture to the new land.

The event took place at the clubhouse, specifically at the txoko, so that it was “less formal than other years,” according to the head of the sub commission of Culture, Norma Rios.  “Since this was the case they served chorizo and lomo sandwiches with wine, with cheese and sweet potato sweets for dessert,” said Rios.

Presence of local institutions

Joining in the festivities at the Iparraldeko Euskal Etxea along with members and friends were authorities from other Basque institutions in the area including: Delegate Sara Pagola, the president of Eusko Kultur Etxea and Ekin Publishers, Maria Elena Etcheverry de Irujo Ollo; the president of Euskaltzaleak, Carlos Bordagary; the former president of the Zingirako Euskaldunak club in Chascomus and FEVA member, Pedro Mauregui Larranda; Jorge Beramendi, member of the Juan de Garay Foundation; and a delegation from the Laurak Bat club led by its president, Arantxa Anitua.

[Representatives from Laurak Bat and FEVA at the event (photoCVF-IEE)]

As Rios explained to EuskalKultura.com, “the evening took place in a wonderful ambience of camaraderie, as it could not have been any other way.  Club president, Ernesto Cornejo Saravia, addressed those present and let them know about various activities carried out by the board of directors for the benefit of the members.  There was also a very emotional moment when our former president, Michel Iriart, was remembered.  Iriart, age 94, was not able to attend due to health reasons, but is very close to everyone’s heart.  To finish his remarks, the president proposed a toast to our Euskal Etxea.”

[Both Cornejo Saravia and Sara Pagola addressed the crowd on this auspicious occasion (photoCFV-IEE)]

With almost 120 years of History, the Iparraldeko Euskal Etxea announced that in 2014 it will continue its presentation series with the first on that took place on March 20th entitled, “Our Grandparents’ Home” by Juan Carlos Ibarrola.  Their traditional activities will also take place including: Sorgin Afaria, in June, Baionako Pestak in August, Piper Eguna in October and the Olentzero in December.