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Mass Commemorating Santa Rosa and Marin-Sonoma Clubs

This weekend, Aita Antton will celebrate mass on Sunday, September 13th commemorating the Santa Rosa Basque Club and Marin-Sonoma Basque Association’s picnics. Intentions for the mass will be for members of these Basque communities who have passed away during the last year, as well as for those who are sick. Mass will be aired on Facebook Live beginning at 8:15am PST, and can also be watched later on by clicking on the video link on the Artzai Ona Facebook Page. The missal for this week’s mass can be found here.

Day of the Basque Diaspora 2020

As all of you are aware, yesterday was “Day of the Basque Diaspora” a day to celebrate the contributions of Basques all over the world in their new homelands. As such, the Basque Government held an official event in Ormaiztegi Gipuzkoa presided by newly re-elected Lehendakari Iñigo Urkullu who will serve in this capacity for another 4-year term. Accompanying the Lehendakari in Ormaiztegi, were the President of the Basque Parliament, Bakartxo Telleria, the Deputy General of Gipuzkoa, Markel Olano, the Mayor of Ormaiztegi, Jon Enrique Galarza and his counterpart from Urretxu, Jon Luqui Albisua. On behalf of Eusko Jaurlaritza the Secretary General of Foreign Affairs, Marian Elorza, as well as the Director of the Basque Community Abroad, Gorka Alvarez Aranburu, were also in attendance, along with Parliamentarian Jasone Agirre and the Director of the Etxepare Basque Institute, Irene Larraza. During his remarks, Lehendakari Urkullu, reiterated his support for Basques all over the world, and reassured everyone that we will all come out of this current situation stronger.

One of the highlights of the event was a performance of the Basque dance “Banako.” Renowned Basque dancer, Gari Otamendi started the dance off on the stage in Ormaiztegi accompanied by Txistulari Jose Miguel Laskurain, followed by 10 more dancers participating from all over the world in a video montage. These dancers included: Ainhoa Inthamoussu (Montevideo, Haize Hegoa), Andoni Sangroniz (Salt Lake City, Basque Club of Utah), Ben Monasterio (Boise, Euzkaldunak), Carolina Ale (Buenos Aires, Laurak Bat), Delia Peiro (Madrid, Euskal Etxea), Jean Max Fawzi Goyeneche (San Francisco, Basque Club), Maite Bastarrica Carrasco (Chile Santiago, Euzko Etxea), Carolyn Van Lydegraf (Basel, Switzerland), Victoria Rodriguez (Cañuelas, Denak Bat), and Asier Hormaechea (Mar del Plata, Denak Bat) and the dance concluded with Miren Hazas also in Ormaiztegi. To see of video of this performance click here. Remember, if your club is planning a celebration for Diaspora Day; please send your video to euskaletxeak@euskadi.eus, by September 13th. Zorionak deneri!

Basque Food Fair Drive-Thru at Kern County Basque Club

The Kern County Basque Club will be hosting a food fair on September 26th from 4-7pm. The event is a fundraiser for the club to help make up the loss of revenue from having cancelled its annual picnic. Items available for purchase at the fair include salsa, wine, lamb dip sandwiches, lukainka sandwiches, pickled tongue sandwiches, beans and tomatoes. To make an order, please fill out this form and return it by September 18th, or click donate on the website and make your selections from there. On egin!

Film of the Month: Apaizac Obeto

September’s featured film by the NABO Filmategi is the documentary Apaizac Obeto directed by Jon Maia. This documentary recovers the history of Basque whalers telling the story of the last Basque whaling txalupa, exploring the influence of Euskera on the whaling industry, and the relationship these whalers had with Native Americans, as well as their day-to-day existence. To find out how to receive this film for your club or community to enjoy, or to see what other titles are available, visit the Filmategi here.