ASTERO
Basque Club of Utah 40th Annual Dinner Dance
Please join the Basque Club of Utah for its 40th Annual Dinner Dance on February 3rd starting at 6pm. The event includes a wonderful multi-course meal prepared by local chefs, dance performances by the Utah’ko Trisklalariak, a silent auction and a public dance. The festivities will take place at the St. Vincent's Catholic Church - The Holy Family Hall and reservations are suggested especially for large groups to ensure seating together. Cost of the meal is $35 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under. For complete information including menu, how to donate to the silent auction, or to purchase tickets, click here.
Elko Euzkaldunak Dance Sign-Ups
The Elko Euzkaldunak Basque Club will hold dance class sign-ups on Wednesday, January 10th at the clubhouse beginning at 6pm. Dancers from the age of 4 years old and up are eligible to participate so don’t hesitate. For complete information, click here.
8th World Congress of Basque Collectivities
As previously reported the 8th World Congress of Basque Communities was held December 18th-21st in Donostia-San Sebastian. The event is held every four years as part of the law 8/1994 that steers the Basque Government’s relationship with Basques living abroad. Eighteen countries were represented each with three voting delegates. Many of the delegations also included various invitees, such as NABO’s, with five individuals being invited to attend along with our three designated voting delegates. The NABO group was comprised by Jean Flesher, NABO President and member of the Lehendakari’s Advisory Board, Philippe Acheritogaray, NABO Vice-President, Kate Camino, NABO Secretary, Tony Huarte, NABO Pilota Chair, and Jean Pierre Etchechury Fresno Basque Club delegate. Our three voting members were Edurne Arostegui, NABO Euskara Coordinator, Mayi Petracek, NABO treasurer, and Gloria Totoricaguena, delegate from the Cenarrusa Foundation for Basque Studies. On the first day, the group was addressed by Gorka Alvarez, Director of the Basque Government’s Directorate for the Basque Community Abroad, Marian Elorza, Basque Government Minister of the Exterior, and Lehendakari Urkullu. Each delegation joined the officials on stage for an official photograph which was followed by each of the 18 giving a presentation on their federations or individual Basque clubs. These presentations were invaluable in providing a glimpse into the realities of Basques all over the world. Also in attendance on the first day were former Directors of the Directorate for the Basque Community Abroad, Iñaki Aguirre, Julian Celaya, and Josu Legarreta. Unai Telleria, Basque Delegate to the US was also in attendance during the congress along with 15 youth participating in Gaztemundu 2023. Pedro Oiarzabal, and Joseba Etxarri, longtime NABO collaborators were also present.
Days two and three were spent in roundtable discussions on various topics. The tables were organized by language providing a wonderful opportunity for everyone to get to know each other better. Tuesday and Wednesday also included a number of presentations from various Basque institutions including a talk on the Basque Economic Agreement, presentations by the Etxepare Basque Institute and in turn by various delegations on their commitment to teach Euskara abroad. There were also presentations on Euskadi Tourism, Equality, and an effort to save Euskara in Araba. Of course the congress wasn’t just about work; attendees were treated to a private concert with Kalakan and AguaMadera, a tour and dinner at the Petritegi Sagardotegi (cider house), dinner and singing at the Cofradia Vasca da Gastronomia (Basque Gastronomy Guild) which included a wonderful recital by member singers, and musical accompaniment by Joseba Etxarri.
Wednesday evening was left for members to explore the old part of Donostia for a Pintxo-Pote, and Thursday included the traditional Santo Tomas festivities. On Thursday morning, voting members met to choose new members of the Lehendakari’s Advisory Board. Jean Flesher was once again elected to represent North America for the next four years nominated by Canadian and Mexican representatives alike. Zorionak Jean! We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at the Directorate for the Basque Community Abroad, and especially the organizers of the event Andoni Martin, Manu Meaurio, and Benan Oregi, among others, who worked tirelessly all week long. It was a wonderful opportunity and we appreciate being included. Mila esker bihotzez. Please enjoy the following photos provided by several members of the NABO delegation.
