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Bahia Blanca, Argentina.  “The event was born of an idea from the children’s groups following an event in Lavallol (near Buenos Aires city) organized by FEVA, but that was too far away for us to participate.  We realized that there were several clubs in the area in the same situation and so in 2009, we organized the first regional gathering that included kids from Macachin’s club.  In 2010 we did it again with kids from the Macachin, Laprida, and Cnel. Pringles clubs,” Romina explained.

[It was the first outing for kids from Hiru Erreka and Tres Arroyos and they had a great time (photo EE)]

Participating in the 2012 edition, along with the children, youth, adults and families from Bahia Blanca, were the children from Cnel. Pringles and Tres Arroyos, on their first fieldtrip. Marian Erneta, who is in charge of the children at the Tres Arroyos Hiru Erreka Basque club, explains that “it was the first time that we left our city and so it was a wonderful experience for everyone.  It was very important for them to meet other Argentinean children, in a Basque club, that also study Basque and enjoy the culture of Euskal herria.  It was a lot of fun and a big step for everyone.  Our Basque club is small and this type of event is very good for us because we get to see how things are done in other euskal etxeas and it gets people more involved.  I want to take advantage of this opportunity to thank the people at the Union Vasca for the wonderful welcome.”

[Songs, dances, games, exercise and a wonderful time at the Txikis gathering in Bahia (photo EE)]

The regional children’s event took place on September 29 at the Union Vasca clubhouse and the day began with breakfast for all.  Following, they danced and sang in Basque, “in this way we hope that the kids make their first acquaintances in Basque,” said the hosts.  “Later we ate lunch, prepared by Basque club parents, as the families always support everything we do and whose help with the event was invaluable,” according to the monitors of Union Vasca.  We then dived them into three groups to play different games and finished with “Jantziak” (where they have to dress quickly in typical costumes) and the classic “Sokatira.”  We ended with snack and passed out souvenirs to everyone.

“The result was 100% positive and the children, and their families had a great time which was the main objective of the event.  Additionally, they were able to spend time with their peers, immersed in our culture.  We hope to do it again next year, and so invite all the children in the area,” said Arantxa and Edurne Gil irazusta, Graciana Koehler and Romina Larrañaga, dance directors at Union Vasca.