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Vancouver, Canada. Like most of the activities organized by the Euskal Etxea in summer, San Fermin will be celebrated at Hume Park, in the New Westminster area. “It’s 20 minutes away, at the most, for those who live the most far away and that’s nothing in Vancouver,” said Sommer. The park is “a good place” to gather since there are tennis courses, swimming and spray pools, and recreation facilities for both kids and adults.

“Some of us go early in the morning to find a good spot, set up a couple of tents, an Ikurrina (the Basque flag), and a stereo to play Basque songs”, informed the president. Sommer, born in Donostia and married to a German, invites attendees to bring family and friends. “Our Club is small, we are around 120 members, no more, and, usually, some 50 of us take part in the events.” This party in honor of Saint Fermin will kick off at 1:00 p.m. and will be ended at dusk or when the rain starts, if the weather changes.

After having celebrated Aberri Eguna (the Basque National Day) in April and the Mus Tournament at the beginning of June (this event is organized in Merritt, almost three hours north-east from Vancouver), now the British Columbia Basque Club is ready to celebrate San Fermin and, on August 16, Andra Mari. “We try to rganize events during summer because it is very beautiful around here at this time of the year”, stated Sommer.