Astero
Ateak Ireki At Last!
The day finally arrived, on June 25th, 37 youth from all over the United States gathered in Goierri, Gipuzkoa for the Ateak Ireki Program, a three-week opportunity that allows participants not only to learn more about their Basque culture, but also to attend weekly Euskera immersion classes at Maizpide Barnetegi. Participants are hosted by families in Goierri, and during their stay they will visit Araba, Bizkaia, Nafarroa and Iparralde. Since the program enjoys great sponsorship, the only cost for participants is their roundtrip travel to the Basque Country, and health insurance. We will look forward to hearing from them when they get home! To see a video at drop off, click here.
Selections from 2022 Bertsolari Txapelketa with English Subtitles
Thanks to the collaboration between the Basque Government and the Bertsozale Elkartea, NABO has been provided with videos from the 2022 Bertsolari Txapelketa Nagusia subtitled in English. These can be enjoyed on NABO's YouTube channel in their own playlist that you can find here. Mila esker deneri!
Elko's 59th Annual National Basque Festival
The Elko Euzkaldunak Basque Club will be celebrating its 59th Annual National Basque Festival this weekend, July 1st and 2nd at the Basque House in Elko. The two-day event will include a 5k, and a golf tournament on Saturday, leading up to the official festival kick-off at 4pm at the Basque House. The kick-off will include traditional Basque dance performances, Herri Kirolak (traditional Basque rural sports), good food and drink, and will conclude with a public dance beginning at 9pm to the music of Amerikanuak, and Mercedes Mendive. Sunday’s events will begin with the traditional Basque bread auction, followed by mass, lunch, more dancing and rural sports, and fun for the entire family. For complete information, including meal prices, see their flier. Oso Ondo Pasa!
NABO President Jean Flesher Welcomed at Lehendakaritza
NABO is being very well represented this summer in the Basque Country. Besides the youth participating in Ateak Ireki, and the Oinkari Basque Dancers, Jean Flesher, NABO President was also welcomed at the Lehendakaritza where he met with the Director of the Basque Community Abroad, Gorka Alvarez, and Benan Oregi technician at the same department. During their meeting, Jean explained what opportunities and challenges he sees for US Basque clubs, among other topics He also took advantage of the meeting to deliver NABO materials for inclusion in the Archive of the Basque Diaspora. To read the article about his visit in Spanish, click here.
Photo: Irekia
Oinkari Basque Country 2023 Tour
The Oinkari Basque Dancers have been enjoying a tour of the Basque Country this summer that has taken them to different towns and festivals, to perform and also attend workshops with various dance groups. One of the highlights of their trip took place during their visit to Gasteiz. After a visit to the Cathedral of Santa Maria, they were invited to the Lehendakaritza and welcomed by Lehendakari Urkullu, Minister of the Exterior, Marian Elorza, and Director of the Basque Community Abroad, Gorka Alvarez. This was followed by a reception at the Town Hall and a performance in the Plaza Berria. Zorionak deneri eta oso ondo pasa!
Photos: Jean Flesher and Gorka Alvarez
Southern California Basque Club 77th Annual Picnic
The Southern California Basque Club will host its 77th annual picnic this weekend. Saturday’s events will begin at 2pm at the Aphessetche Trinketa with cocktails at 2pm followed by local handball matches beginning at 3pm. Sunday’s festivities will take place at the Chino Fairgrounds and will begin at 11:30am with mass, with the participation of the Klika and Basque club dancers. After mass, Lukainka sandwiches will be available for sale, and various vendors will also be on site. At 2pm the Basque dancers will perform, and then hang around and visit with your friends because a BBQ Lamb dinner will be served at 5pm with a public dance to follow at 6:30pm also to the music of Amerikanuak. For complete information, see their flier, or visit them on Facebook.
Buy a T-Shirt to Support Udaleku
As you may already know, Udaleku 2023 will take place this year in Boise, Idaho July 20-28th hosted by Boise Euzkaldunak. In an effort to raise money for this important activity, NABO is now selling Udaleku T-shirts. Proceeds from these sales will go to support this year’s Udaleku as well as future camps. To get yours, click here.
**The Astero crew is going to take next week off, but will be back on July 13th with much more Basque news! Bitartean, ongi izan!
6/29/2023
