euskalkultura.eus

Necochea, Argentina.  The six youth that came from the Basque Country were warmly welcomed on July 13 at Euzko Etxea of Necochea.  On the first day of Hator Hona, they were treated to a dinner where they could enjoy roast lamb, as well as get to know members of the club.

Last weekend the youth Lierni Zangitu Arroyo (from Aretxabaleta), Irati Urkiola Irigoyen and Maitane Andueza Mujika (from Donostia-San Sebastian), Junkal Lekuona Alberro (Irun), Nagore Lekuona López de Robles (Vitoria-Gasteiz) and Gaizka Garde Izquierdo (Iruña-Pamplona) got to work giving classes and workshops on different aspects of Basque culture that were very well attended. 

Irati and Maitane are in charge of the four groups in Euskera, divided into three levels, plus a children’s group.  Dance classes are given by Nagore and Gaizka who work daily with the intermediate and children’s groups namely: “Gazte Alai,” “Zahar Alai,” “Amatxos,” and another one dedicated exclusively to prepare a “Dantzari dantza.”

[Euskera, pandero, txalaparta and trikitixa… different expressions of the Basque traditional culture are being developed during Hator Hona (photosEE)]

Music is another popular topic among the members of the Necochea club.  There are six groups of 2 or 3 who are learning to play the trikitixa with Junkal and Maitane; and another ten enrolled in pandero classes with Gaizka, with another fifteen playing the txalaparta with Lierni.  Lierni also is in charge of sports with the same number of men and women participating.  All classes meet twice a week except for dance that meets every day. 

[With help from the youth from the Basque Country dancers from Necochea rehearse nonstop (photosEE)]

As far as novelties in this year’s Hator Hona program, the club let us know about ”Txiki Eguna,” that was held on the 22 and was dedicated to the club’s youngest with games, music and a snack to end the afternoon.  During this time the kids were able to share and socialize with members of Zahar Alai, and Hator Hona. 

Another innovation has to do with the activities taking place from yesterday to Saturday August 28, designed for members of other euskal etxeak to share in the project.  Those who come to the club on the 28 can also participate in the traditional San Ignacio dinner and enjoy dances by the Gazte Alai, and Zahar Alai dance groups accompanied by the youth from the Basque Country.

The six youth from the Basque Country will be in Necochea until August 3, concluding with the Festival of the Aitonas where club dancers will perform what they have learned during the year.  "Later they will return home to Euskadi, but they will know that they also have a home in this corner of Argentina," said project directors.