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Villa Maria, Argentina.  The dancers in the Basque clubs work hard all year to get ready for the Semana Vasca, the biggest challenge of the year.  They say that when they get on stage, the exhaustion, nerves and headaches disappear, and their faces only reflect the enthusiasm they have to contribute to the festival.  More than thirty dances were performed on Saturday night in Villa Maria, and each one shoes an aspect of the spirit of the Basque people as well as each Basque club. Yesterday we covered the first part of the gala.  The second part of the show began with a local comedian and closed with Gozategi.  Here is a complete photo album from Saturday.

[After the intermission, Arrecifes started the second part of the show.  The dancers from Euskaldunak Denak Bat performed Akelarre (photo EuskalKultura.com)]

[La Plata – who will organize the Semana Vasca 2014 – was also present this year.  The dance group from the Euzko Etxea did Gorazarre (photo EuskalKultura.com)]

[From Cañuelas, organizers of the Aberri Eguna Dantzari Gathering danced Makila Handiena (photo EuskalKultura.com)]

[The dancers from Maipu did Ingurutxu from Iribas at the Amphitheater in Villa Maria (photo EuskalKultura.com)]

[The Accion Vasca from Buenos Aires did Dantzari Dantza and a tribute to the flag (photo EuskalKultura.com)]

[From La Pampa, members of the Euzko Alkartasuna club in Macachin received warm applause for their Suite (photo EuskalKultura.com)]

[The Etorritakoengatik dancers from Puerto Madryn traveled 1,500 kilometers to participate in the Semana Nacional.  They performed Bok Espok (photo EuskalKultura.com)]

[Uruguayan representatives, from Montevideo, also traveled hours to get to Cordoba.  Even so, a large delegation participated in the event. The dancers from Haize Hegoa danced Otxagabia (photo EuskalKultura.com)]

[Thanks to the Euzko Etxea in Necochea we had Pello Joxepe (photo EuskalKultura.com)]

[Denak Bat from Mar del Plata performed Azkoitia (photo EuskalKultura.com)]

[Aukeran is one of the more modern dances that came to Villa Maria thanks to Urrundik from Parana (photo EuskalKultura.com)]

[Organizers of Semana Vasca 2012 also traveled to Villa Maria.  From Rosario they danced Uztai Txiki Dantza (photo EuskalKultura.com)]

[Zingirako Euskaldunak from Chascomus danced Makil Dantza (photo EuskalKultura.com)]

[On their second turn on stage the dancers from Bahia Blanca presented the Zuberoako Maskarada (photo EuskalKultura.com)]

[Following tradition, those in charge of ending the show were the hosting club’s dancers.  Dantzaris from Villa Maria danced a Fandango, and Kalejira.  The Kalejira then moved to the middle of the amphitheater so members of all the dance groups could join in, along with the audience (photo EuskalKultura.com)]

[The show on Saturday lasted until dawn with Gozategi’s performance.  From there, the action moved to the roomy Bomarraca Hall where the party continued after dinner (photo EuskalKultura.com)]

[Last Chapter Tomorrow]