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A wide and varied program of activities especially organized in Bahia Blanca include workshops in Basque food, Euskera, artistic activity supported and designed for children at the Barandiaran Library.  “The future of an institution depends on a solid base and this base is our children,” that is why they are planning specific activities “to attract, stimulate their staying involved and submerging them in the culture of Euskal Herria.” 

Bahia Blanca, Argentina.   One of the fundamental pieces of this proposal resides in the Barandiaran Library, an institution that has become a space where children gather to have fun.  As Cecilia Jauli, from the library, explained to EuskalKultura.com, “the project to hold recreational and artistic activities for children to introduce them to the Basque culture has been going on for years.”  “Currently, the activities I’m in charge with began in 2012.  Children come to the library before or after their Basque dancing classes. Children between the ages of 3-12 gather and are not separated by age so they all share this space in the spirit of freedom and play.”

“We do not insist on disciplining the children or try and keep them still or quiet.  We invite them to participate in various activities without prohibiting their creativity or free play.  We want them to see the library as a fun and attractive place.  If children don’t want to participate in the proposed activity, they can color, or play table games.  Specific activities are planned for them and depending on when they arrive, we continue to explain it to them and help them.  Whatever the activity is, we have a conversation among us all.  The children ask questions and contribute.  Their work happens at the same time and encourages this dialogue,” she explained.

Over the years, several topics of Basque culture have been addressed including mythology, baserris, traditional dress, and Euskera among others.  All use different media: manual work, oral narration, new technology…

In 2017, two topics were given priority. On the one hand, Project for Training Users that included making bookmarks, which will be delivered to each user taking a book from the library.  “The bookmarkers remind them of their responsibilities and how to care for the book, their duty to return it on time, among other things.  The activity wasn’t exhaustive user training, but something that the children could also participate in by decorating them, and so indirectly learning something.”

The other project is Micro Comics.  “As part of this project we will attempt to create small comics on Basque themes, with pictures that can be viewed one by one, with a visor made of paper.”  The activities will take place on Fridays at the Library from 18:30-21hs.

Gastronomy and Euskera

In the same way, Union Vasca provides other proposals to the txikis.  The gastronomy workshop will take place all year long and will allow the children to learn how to prepare various typical dishes, with the help of the Euskal Etxea cook.  “The goals is to incorporate Basque gastronomy that they will transmit to their families and will slowly penetrate and they will become involved in this distinguished aspect of our culture, where children usually don’t have a leading role.”  In regards to Euskera workshops, “children will incorporate words through play, along with various notions of Euskera.  They will also work on the dates celebrated at the club so that the children become aware of Basque celebrations and commemorations.”

All of the activities are carried out by the children’s dance teachers, Edurne and Amale, along with Cecilia at the library and the support of Ainara the Basque teacher.

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Facebook, Barandiaran Library Unión Vasca
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