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Buenos Aires, Argentina.  The times change and with them so do the institutions.  The main objective of the Basque clubs during the last century was to host Basque immigrants that came to the country.  Today, on the other hand, the goal of these clubs is to preserve and above all introduce the legacy left by these immigrants. Last Sunday’s “Buenos Aires Celebrates,” was a clear sign that things have changed and how the community works activity to disseminate the Basque culture in the community.  The work was not done in vain and thousands of people went to the Avenida de Mayo, despite the rain, to enjoy activities provided to the city by the Basque-Argentinean community.

[There are many manifestations of Basque culture preserved and developed today in Argentina.   Probably one of the most celebrated is gastronomy.  That is why Itziar Aguirre renowned chef from Rosario didn’t miss the BAC, and gave a cooking class on one of the stages. Itziar wasn’t alone; Japanese Chef, Takehiro Ohno, trained in the Basque Country at the Zuberoa Restaurant in Oiartzun, also contributed to preparing dishes namely: croquetas and sheep cheese and hake in green sauce (photoEuskalKultura.com)]

[Not far from the kitchen, Itziar could see one of the dearest Basque dairies in Buenos Aires.  Dressed in an traditional outfit made for the occasion by Magdalena Mignaburu, Alberto Ospital united past and present with his tools and anecdotes (photoEuskalKultura.com)]

[“Buenos Aires Celebrates” has become an event that exceeds the local community and Basque club representatives travel large distances in order to participate.  Ofelia Larea and Silvia Urbicain de Bene, for example, from the San Juan Basque club traveled 1,300 kms. so they wouldn’t miss the event, and they weren’t alone (photoEuskalKultura.com)]

[Other BAC attractions include the “Euskal Foto,” where nearly 100 people posed (photo P. Coronel)]

[As in other Basque festivals the dantzaris were in charge of enlivening and filling the gray afternoon with color.  Many dances were done on stage…]

[…others, for security reasons, were done on the street]

[The dancers were not the only ones to dance.  Invited by the youth, the audience also was able to try some of the traditional dances.  An improvised polka took place in a big circle. See video here (photoEuskalKultura.com)]

[The Tamborrada also gathered numerous representatives from various Basque clubs and the sounds of Donostia were heard throughout the Avenida de Mayo.  Directed by maestros Iñaki Armendariz and Jose Gutierrez, the Tamborrada has become a classic part of the BAC. Just as the Buruhandiak.  See video here and here (photoEuskalKultura.com)]

[Even if the weather didn’t help, it didn’t ruin the party either.  And so this year’s “Buenos Aires Celebrates” was held with minor changes to the schedule, so long awaited and prepared for by the community.  Nevertheless, the downpour in the afternoon did oblige an early closure.  However, nothing prevented that the event had a well-deserved ending and the dantzaris danced Arku Dantza, Ezpata Dantza, Fandango and a farewell Kalejira even under the rain.  Datorren urtera arte! (photoEuskalKultura.com)]