ASTERO
Children of Guernica: A Film Project by Begoña Echeverria et al
Dr. Begoña Echeverria has reached out to share news about her new project, CHILDREN OF GUERNICA a film by herself, Annika Speer, and Jacqueline Postajian. Please see her note below.
We are now making a short film adaptation, CHILDREN OF GUERNICA, stemming from the play. The film is inspired by a true story of a Basque refugee who escaped the bombing of Gernika by emigrating to England. Here's the premise: In April 1937, Hitler bombed the sacred Basque town Gernika. 20,000 children were evacuated to foreign countries for protection, separated from their families. Our short historical fiction film tells the story of one of those children, Andrea. Weaving art created by children of survivors with documentary footage and narrative, CHILDREN OF GUERNICA follows Andrea as she confronts the traumas of her past in order to seek peace in the present. Our film considers how art contributes to our healing and humanity. My goal is to represent the Basque community and tell our stories on screen, while also tying our stories to the broader world. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to my fundraiser to help us bring this important story to life! For more information about the film and ways to give, follow this link. Thank you! Mila esker!” |
“Many of you were supportive of my play Picasso Presents Gernika, which my collaborators and I staged at the Chino Community Theatre, the Santa Monica Playhouse, and at the United Nations Headquarters in honor of World Refugee Day. We are grateful that numerous Basque clubs and organizations hosted screenings of the play as well.
Jaialdi Merch Now Available
Can’t wait to get your Jaialdi merch? Wait no longer, Jaialdi 2025, is coming at the end of July, and this time, you can pre-purchase your Jaialdi Merch! The Winter Store is currently open until February 9, so hurry and get your sweatshirts before they are no longer available! There will be another Spring/Summer Online Store, and then you will have to wait until the actual festival to purchase any more goodies! Hurry, before it's too late! To purchase your Jaialdi merch now, click here.
Big Horn Basque Club Held Annual Meeting
The Big Horn Basque Club in Buffalo, Wyoming held its annual meeting on February 1st. The membership gathered for a Lukainka lunch, club activity updates, and held elections. The 2025 officers include President - Trinity Rodriguez, Vice President - Tommy Fieldgrove, Treasurer - Elisa Lopez, Secretary - Katie Fennema, Social Media - Cheyenne Greub, and Board Members, Fran Auzqui, and Baileigh Rodriguez. Mick Camino also continues as NABO delegate. Zorinak deneri!
NABO 2025 Winter Meeting
As previously reported, the North American Basque Organizations held its winter Board of Directors meeting last Saturday, February 1st, hosted by the Basque Club of Utah. President, Jean Flesher, called the meeting to order, and introduced Basque Club of Utah president, Cirbie Sangroniz who filled everybody in on the day’s events.Jean then thanked Kate Camino for her six years of service as NABO secretary, and everyone welcomed Teresa Cox who graciously volunteered to take over. A moment of silence was observed in solidarity with all affected by the southern California fires. It was then agreed to make a donation of $1,000.00 on behalf of NABO to the American Red Cross to aid in their humanitarian effort.
The meeting then progressed through the NABO committee reports including a special report by Monique Flesher, Ateak Ireki Coordinator, on this year’s upcoming program, and proposals to make this a two-way exchange with US Basque communities. Other committee reports of note included the WWII committee report that is moving forward in hopes of finding the location of the physical monument, the Mus report that outlined a new reporting protocol for clubs to report their tournament winners and representatives to the national Mus tournament, and Udaleku that will take place in Elko this summer. The Euskara report also included hiring two new Euskara Coordinators, Madalen Bieter and Mikaela Goicoechea who will take over from Edurne Arostegui. Zorionak to them both, and again Mila Esker Handi Bat to Edurne!
The Basque Government was represented at the meeting by Unai Telleria, Delegate of Euskadi in the US, and Benan Oregi, technician from the Directorate for the Basque Community Abroad. Benan updated us on Basque Government programs and grants, and Unai assured us that he is still at our disposal for anything we may need.
The winter meeting is also when the Al Erquiaga Bizi Emankorra Nominations are presented. This year, three were presented, the Basque Cultural Center posthumously nominated Johnny Curutchet, the Colorado Basque Club nominated Aita Antton Egiguren, and the Cenarrusa Foundation nominated Gloria Totoricagüena. After the nominations were read, it was decided to award all three nominees this year. Zorionak deneri! These awards will be presented at a time, in collaboration with the winners, to assure that their loved ones can be present.
Of course, the day wasn’t just work, there was a lot of great food, and camaraderie, and so on behalf of everyone at NABO, a huge Eskerrik Asko to the Basque Club of Utah for spoiling us once again! The next meeting will take place at Jaialdi. Please enjoy this photo collection provided by NABO Vice-President, Philippe Acheritogaray. Mila esker Philippe!
Zazpiak Bat Reno Dancers to Hold Kick-Off Meeting
If you are in the Reno area and have kids that would like to Basque dance, please join the Zazpiak Bat Basque Dancers for their kick-off meeting on February 12th at 6pm at Swope Middle School. The meeting will inform participants and their parents on practice days and times, group information, calendar of events, fundraising, and new t-shirts among other topics. There will be an opportunity to do some dancing too! For more information, please email Angie Reeder.
