ASTERO
BEO Design Contest Explores Basque Music
More exciting news from the BEO: The BEO has now opened the call for entries for its Art + Design ++Contest. What does Basque music feel like? Not just the sound, the memory, the movement, the cultural weight of it. That's what the BEO is asking artists to explore. The theme of this contest is “Basque music rooted in classical traditions interpreted through the artist's lens.” Abstract, illustrative, graphic, somewhere in between — the approach is up to you. Just bring a genuine connection to the culture and a strong point of view. The winning design will be featured on BEO merchandise, receive a $750 award, and include two tickets to Basque Cultural Day "The History of Basque Music: A Living Portrait of an Ancient Land” on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at the Presidio Theater in San Francisco. Learn more about how to qualify at here. Deadline for submissions is July 15th.
The following was provided by Dr. Pedro Oiarzabal:
Basque-American Families to Participate in Okinawa Memorial Day 81 Years After the Battle
On June 23, 2026, relatives of six Basque-American servicemen who died during and after the Battle of Okinawa, will participate for the first time in Okinawa Memorial Day — Irei no Hi (慰霊の日) — at the Cornerstone of Peace.
Held annually at one of the world’s most important sites dedicated to remembrance, peace, and reconciliation, Irei no Hi marks the end of the Battle of Okinawa and honors more than 240,000 people, including over 14,000 Americans, who lost their lives during the campaign.
The initiative follows work carried out by the “Fighting Basques: Memory of World War II” research project, developed by the Sancho de Beurko Association in collaboration with N.A.B.O. Over the past years, the project has helped families recover stories and reconnect with relatives whose memory had gradually faded over time.
The six servicemen linked to Okinawa are Lawrence Amoriza, Alejandro Itcea, Dominique Laxague, Felix Ordoquihandy, Steven Sahargun, and Joseph Uriola.
As part of this ongoing work, U.S. Marine Corps Corporal Felix Ordoquihandy — whose name was not previously included at the Cornerstone of Peace — will be formally inscribed ahead of the June 23 ceremony, which will be attended by the highest public authorities of Japan and guest countries.
The Okinawa events also connect with the future National Basque WWII Veterans Memorial planned in Gardnerville, Nevada — the first national memorial in the United States dedicated to Basque and Basque-American World War II veterans — as part of the same broader effort to preserve and give visibility to these stories for future generations.
Dr. Pedro J. Oiarzabal will attend the commemorations on behalf of Sancho de Beurko and N.A.B.O. During the visit, he will also participate in conversations and gatherings focused on diaspora, historical memory, and transnational ties shaped by World War II.
On behalf of everyone at NABO, Mila Esker Handi Bat Pedro for your continued efforts to remember our Basque veterans.
NABO Mus Finals
On this, Father’s Day Weekend, there are NABO events for all ages! First off, the NABO Mus Finals will be held at the Basque Cultural Center on Saturday, June 20th hosted by last year’s winners, the Anaitasuna Basque Club. Winners from local tournaments from NABO member clubs will come together to vie for the chance to represent NABO this fall at the International Mus Tournament to be held in Bilbao! Sorte On Deneri!
Chino Opens its Doors to Udaleku 2026
On Father’s Day, June 21st, some 70 kids will descend on Chino, California to attend this year’s Udaleku co-hosted by the Chino and Southern California Basque Clubs. Over the two weeks campers will be introduced to Basque dance, Euskara, Txistu, Pilota as well as get the chance to make life-long friends. All kids will be hosted with local families, allowing them to get better acquainted with the Chino Basque community too. The Udaleku final performance will take place on the 4th of July in conjunction with the Southern California Basque Club’s 80th Anniversary. Oso ondo pasa!
6/18/2026
