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Donostia-San Sebastian.  Dantzaris from Nechochea’s Gazte Alai group are in the Basque Country as part of a tour organized by youth who have visited Necochea since 2004 as culture instructors as part of the Hator Hona program.  The exchange is an unforgettable experience that has left an impression on the participating youth from both sides of the Atlantic creating ties and friendship that now result in the organization of this tour.

“Many, many friends are giving us a hand; many participants of Hator Hona but also many other youth who have visited Necochea on different occasions…” Marcial Agostini Zubillaga, Gazte Alai member tells EuskalKultura.com.  In Necochea, the project is supported by the Euzko Etxea and has been declared of public interest by the city of Necochea that has named the participants Necochea Cultural Ambassadors.

The delegation is comprised of 11 boys -- Ignacio Alustiza, Francisco Alustiza, Marcial Agostini Zubillaga, Manuel Picon, Fermín Picon, Juan Pedro Esnaola Azcoiti, Juan Manuel Yacomini, Ignacio Esnaola Azcoiti, Francisco Picardi, Iñaki Agostini Zubillaga and José Ignacio Picardi—and 9 girls -- Jimena Zubillaga, Lurdes Zubillaga, Milagros Calle, Agustina Cercedo, Catalina Galman, Lucia Ibarguen, Mercedes La Torre, Carla Peucelle and Ainhoa Agostini Zubillaga.

Premiere in Banka

The group will begin the tour on Saturday in Banka (Behe Nafarroa) with a performance as part of the “Banka herria ohoretan” festivities.  This Wednesday they will be in Irurtzun participating in the txupinazo and parade that opens the fiestas and will perform along with another group.  On July 20, they will travel to Toloso to dance at noon with the Udaberri Dantza Taldea in the Plaza Vieja.  The next day they will be in Donostia, participating in the “Zipotz Jaiak” in the neighborhood of Gros.

On July 25, the group will perform in Bergara where that will also serve as their base for a large part of the trip.  On the 28 they will be in Pasai Donibane along with Alkartasuna Euskal Dantza Taldea in Pasai Antxo.  Finally, on July 31, the group will participate in the San Ignacio festivities in Lemoa, Bizkaia.

Reunion with friends and family

Besides their performances, the group will take advantage of their trip to get to know Euskal Herria and to soak up Basque culture.  “We were at San Fermin and we won’t miss the the lowering of the Celedon in Gasteiz, or a visit to Gernika...” Marcial said.

“For the majority, this is their first visit to Euskal Herria and so many also want to take advantage of the opportunity to get to know the places where their families came from, and family members that are there.  Fundamentally, we came with the idea to reunite with our friends and to take in as much as time allows.  Really, without them, this wouldn’t have been possible,” he concludes.