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Bariloche, Argentina.  The Mendiko Euzko Etxea Basque club is the institution that continues to guarantee the Basque presence at the annual Festival of European-Argentinean Communities in Bariloche and they do so thanks to their dancers and cooks whose work provided the audience a chance to enjoy not only folklore but Basque food as well.  For the first days of the festival, the club cooks prepared squid, meatballs, tripe, Basque tortilla and deserts.  In addition, in the beverage department, this year’s innovation is homemade beer which gained the complete approval of the consumers.

[The Basque booth in the shape of a baserri, was the center of attraction for those who wanted to taste the Basque dishes (photoEE)]

The Bariloche Basque community didn’t just win the audience at its stand; they also won them on the stage with its music, dances and colorful costumes.  Dantzaris of all ages took the stage at this year’s festival, the beginners performed Katxarranka and Zuberoako Maskarada and the intermediates performed Makil Dantza and the women’s group did Eaurta-Jaurrieta, the Widows’ Dance.

[Beginning dancers were given the chance to show their talent and the audience showed its appreciation with loud applause (photo Ignacio Ezquerra)]

[The Emakumeak group also debuted at the event (photo Ignacio Ezquerra)]

After the first wonderful weekend of festival, nothing less is expected for the second as the Mendiko Euzko Etxea will return with more artistic and culinary proposals.  According to Hector Graña, “The first day was very successful and the second even better!  Many people came.  Now, for next weekend we have a surprise item on the menu.  A surprise among the croquettes.  We have been working all year to make this event the best of all and so far we can say that we have succeeded.  Our thanks go to all the people who selflessly lent their time, to collaborate, and participate, eskerrik asko zinez.”