euskalkultura.eus

After the downpour the night before, the organization wasn’t sure about the weather, but luckily the sun came out yesterday and accompanied the inaugural day of the 2016 Smithsonian Folklife Festival that is dedicated to the Basques.  It was an exciting start, and even if the larger crowds are expected on the weekend, especially on Monday, the Fourth of July.  Yesterday’s events took place in a wonderful festive atmosphere, with much participation from the visitors as well as the exhibitors. 

Washington DC.   Wednesday, June 29th the inaugural day of the 2016 Smithsonian Folklife Festival, with an official event at 10am, with the participation of authorities and of some of the musicians and artists that will perform during this cultural event that concludes on July 10th.  The place was the Arts and Industries Building of the Smithsonian complex, in the heart of Washington, just a couple of blocks from the festival grounds.  The highest authorities from the Smithsonian as well as guests from the country and cultural community were invited.

On behalf of the Smithsonian, its president and secretary spoke, before more than 10 television cameras that broadcast or recorded the event.  Musical performances then ensued, with the Aukeran dantzaris, Kepa Junkera eta Sorginak, and three bertsolaris, Martin Goicoechea, from Wyoming and from the Basque Country Xabi Paya and Irati Anda.

California Congressman, John Garamendi, also spoke, and related his pride in his Basque roots and the legacy of self-improvement that his grandfather, Sam Garamendi left when he immigrated to the US in 1906.  Garamendi stressed as well the excellent role that the Smithsonian initiative plays at a time when building bridges, and better mutual knowledge of various countries and cultures of the world.  On behalf of the Basques from Europe, Arantxa Tapia from the Basque Government took the stage with the three Deputy Generals from Araba, Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa, Ramiro González, Unai Rementeria and Markel Olano, respectively, with Rementeria addressing those present in English and Basque to highlight the importance of the Basque presence at a gathering such as the Folklife Festival, that will undoubtedly suppose and important advance in introducing the US to Euskadi and the Basques.

At the conclusion of the inauguration, at noon, the Festival opened its doors, and the public arrived, little by little, to visit the various tents, spaces and sections of the event.  With the weather cooperating, since storms are common in the summer in DC, the day evolved normally with a lot of people asking questions, listening to explanations, and applauding the various music performances, and other cultural forms, or even learning more about the language the isn’t usually heard in an area such as this where the audience is comprised by Americans of all origins, not just Basque, and tourists visiting the city.

Among those from the Basque Country, some remarked that maybe this could be compared to activities in the Basque Country like Ibilaldia Nafarroa Oinez or Herri Urrats.  In any case, every section, tent and space had Basques as well as volunteers from the organization, answering the multitude of questions about traditions, tools, history, gastronomy, naval construction, cheese making, learning Basques, songs, dances, sports etc. and other topics and materials present or mentioned in the various parts of the festival grounds.

The festival is open daily from 11am to 5pm.  In the adjacent space, closest to the US Capitol Building, there is a stage that will be used for more performances after these hours.  That was the case yesterday with the inaugural concert by Kepa Junkera and Sorginak, that filled the area with rhythm and color, and surprised more than one North American.

We have created a photo gallery of yesterday’s events:

(Thursday’s program can be found, here)