euskalkultura.eus

Elko, NV.   Elko’s 49 Basque Festival gathered numerous Basques, as every year, from all over the US last weekend to enjoy the great Basque atmosphere at this festival.  This year, the NABO convention coincided with the festivities that allowed a large number of Basque club delegates to gather for work and for play.

The NABO meeting took place on Friday and was also attended by the Vice-Minister of Linguistic Policy Lourdes Auzmendi as well as Julian Celaya, Director of Relations with Basque Collectivities Abroad.  After the meeting those attending joined the revelers.  Saturday included a parade followed by a full schedule of events including dancing, music, traditional Basque sports, kid’s games, and tributes.  On Sunday, following mass, celebrated by Fr. Mike Lastiri, Mary Gaztambide and Anita Anacabe Franzoia received the Bizki Emankorra (Life Achievement) Award for their invaluable contributions to the Basque culture in the US.

Following is a photo chronicle of the weekend:

[During the NABO meeting, Patty Miller, Director of the Basque Museum in Boise, made a presentation to the delegates]

[NABO Convention: Delegate and Bertsolari Martin Goikoetxea (Rocks Springs Basque club and NABO’s Euskera Chair) welcomed everyone in verse.  At his right Lourdes Auzmendi recording the moment on video]

[NABO Convention: the Vice-Minister of Linguistic Policy Lourdes Auzmendi spoke to the delegates along with Director of Basque Collectivities Abroad, Julian Celaya and Basque Government technician Andoni Martin in the front row.]

[NABO Convention: Group photo of club delegates and guests who attended the meeting]

[Throughout the weekend Elko’s Basque bars and restaurants, euskal etxea, park, fair grounds, and the streets in general were converted into meeting places for the Basques.  In the photo a testament of the great atmosphere with three friends singing, Jean, Jenny and John]

[Pilota matches were also part of the National Basque Festival’s program that took place at the fronton at Elko’s city park]

[A branch of the Berriochoa family, relatives of the Bizkaian saint San Valentin de Berriotxoa, settled in Boise, and wanted to go to Elko as two Basque clubs have already chosen him as their patron saint.]

[A poster reflecting the history of San Valentin de Berriotxoa that was exhibited at mass in Elko]

[On Sunday mass was celebrated in Basque, by Californian priest Aita Lastiri, which also included the participation of Oinkari dancers.]

[Boise’s Biotzetik Basque choir was among the many dance groups, athletes and Basque supporters performing in Elko.]