euskalkultura.eus

Ramallo, Argentina.  Time passes and that that has to do with origins and ancestors is updating as well.  That is how the 5^th Zavaleteada was organized in great part via social networks, and without a doubt with new technologies allowing the numbers of attendees to increase considerably in relation to the 200 who participated in the last reunion held in 2007.

This time there were 250 people, adults and children that came to the Zavaleta family home in Ramallo where the reunion was held.  For some, it was an easy trip since they live nearby, as in the case of the family that resides in Acassuso, Arrecifes, Buenos Aires, Colon and Florida: others, had longer voyages, since they came from Neuquen: as well as those who came by plane like the members of the Mariano Zavaleta family who came from Mexico City, and Morelia, also in Mexico, not to miss the party.

[The Zavaletas dancing together]

There are also those who have never missed a reunion, as well as those who attended for the first time, motivated by wanting to get to know more about the family history as well as strengthen family ties.  This year, descendants of Josefa de Zavaleta, the only sister in the bunch who came to Argentina at the end of the 19^th century, gathered.  

Bartolome, Agustin, Josefa, Antonio and Jose Maria were born in Soraluze in the baserri called Txurruka, that is a restaurant today.  When they arrived to Argentina, they settled in various towns in the area and dedicated themselves to agricultural activities.

[There were various activities throughout the day, dancing, singing and the inevitable bota contest]

Those who left the homeland were honored since they knew how to transmit the love of their country to their descendants, and Gernikako Arbola was sung, along with a bota bag contest, as well as dancing.  There were also photos exhibited of the natal home in Soraluze as well as part of the family tree.

According to Teresa de Zavaleta, family member and reference in the diffusion of the Basque language and culture in Argentina, “We were nearly 250 and that isn’t everybody.  We had a wonderful lunch, sang, danced and listened to the family songs, drank from the bota, talked, and remembers those who are no longer with us, we celebrated our lives. A great tribute to those who made the great adventure in coming.  Thank you to the Ramallo branch,” she concluded.