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Artzai Ona's Inaugural Issue of Elkarri Newsletter

The Artzai Ona, Catholic Association is proud to announce the publication of its newsletter “Elkarri,” (together). This first issue, corresponding to December 2020, includes news from the US Basque community, births, deaths, as well as daily Rosary and Mass times celebrated by Aita Antton, Basque chaplain in the United States, now headquartered at St. Patrick’s Parish and Our Lady of Mercy in Merced, California. The newsletter also includes other information regarding Basque saints, and a message from Aita Antton. If you would like to receive “Elkarri,” free of charge, email info@basquecatholic.org, including “Elkarri,” in the subject line with your name and email where you would like to receive it in the body of the message. The newsletter also includes a link for donations to Artza Ona. If you would like to contribute, click here.

Basque Museum Videos

During the pandemic, many Basque clubs and organizations have been busy uploading content to their websites and social media in an effort to keep their communities connected in this time of social isolation. One of these is the Basque Museum and Cultural Center in Boise who has been working hard to create informative videos in an effort to educate, but also to bring folks together, albeit virtually. The first of these videos is entitled, “Hilerria: Basque Cemetery Tour,” that takes a trip through Boise’s cemetery uncovering the history of the Basques who are found there. Another video, “Membrillo Cider! Behind the Scenes with Meriwether Cider Co.” tells the story of the Museum’s efforts to create a unique cider as part of the Meriwether Cider Company’s Neighborhood Series, with part of the proceeds from sales of the cider going to support the Basque Museum and Cultural Center. They are now working on a new video on chorizo making featuring Dan Ansotegui, renowned local chef and restaurateur, and owner of Ansots. On egin!

Crowdfunding Campaign for New Documentary Tetuán

The NABO Filmategia would like to announce a crowdfunding campaign to support a new feature-length documentary called Tetuán that would complete the trilogy about register and memory that already includes Echoing Calls and Cold Lands. All three are the work of filmmaker, and Professor Iratxe Fresneda from the University of the Basque Country. The film that examines migration and memory, migrant people and their stories, takes the daughter in search of her father on a journey through “Almeria and its desert, the streets of Madrid, The Pyrenees, Switzerland, the corners of the Basque Country and a small village in Romania on the banks of the Danube.” For more information on the film, or to make a donation, click here. To hear a message from the filmmaker herself click here.

Basque Pilota to Be Included in the Pan-American Games in 2021

At the General Assembly of Pan Am Sports that was held virtually, President Neven Illic announced that Basque pilota will once again be included as one of the sports celebrated at the Pan-American Olympic Games in Santiago, Chile in October of 2021. This is the third time, in the last four competitions, that Basque Pilota has been featured in the “ultimate sporting celebration of the Americas,” (Guadalajara 2011, Lima 2019). It is also worth mentioning that Basque pilota, “is the only sport, and was the only sport in the previous two competitions held in 2011 and 2019, that held the name of a nationality or ethnicity in its official moniker (i.e. American Baseball, Canadian Hockey, Australian Rugby, etc.) ... Something to reflect upon...” To see the official announcement on Facebook, click here. Or, to watch the “No Boundaries” campaign launched by FIVU (Federation of Basque Entities in Uruguay) click here. Zorionak to everyone who worked so hard so that Basque pilota maintains its spot on the world stage!

Proceedings of the 7th World Congress of Basque Communities

The 7th World Congress of Basque Communities “Saregintzan,” was celebrated October 2-4, 2019 in Bilbao hosted by the Basque Government’s Department of the Exterior. The aim of this gathering every four years, is to provide an opportunity for representatives of countries that have organized Basque communities to gather, share their experiences, and establish a four-year plan of action inspired by the contributions, discussions and suggestions that took place at the congress itself. Today, we have received the official publication of the congress proceedings that summarizes the congress activities, complete with discussion points addressed at the various sessions, the contributions provided by each of the working groups on each issue, as well as photos, and press coverage during the event. To read a summary of last year’s experience click here.