euskalkultura.eus

Buenos Aires, Argentina. Seven years ago the “Basque House of Mexico Street,” opened its doors to the community. But the idea of putting a proper name was always the intention of those responsible for the institutions which coexist in these headquarters, an intention which will be carried out tomorrow.  

Basque club members explain how this name was chosen in this way, “The choice was not accidental.  It was in Estella-Lizarra that Andres Maria de Irujo y Ollo, founder of the Ekin Publishing house, was born.  In the same way, ‘A. de Lizarra’ is also the pseudonym used by Andres to publish during the difficult times of persecution during the Franco regime.  The house of Fray Diego de Estella, also in Lizarra, was presertved by Aniana Ollo de Irujo --mother of Andres-- and becamed a Cultural House in that city, and also the site of the signing of the Lizarra-Garazi Agreement.  Now, the Lizarraenea house in Buenos Aires, will be a tribute to Andres María de Irujo Ollo, and as such represent the continued commitment in favor of the Basque culture,” as explained from Ekin and Eusketxe.

Ekin and Eusketxe

Let us remember that currently two institutions share the mansion on Mexico Street: the Publishing House Ekin and the Basque Cultural House, Eusketxe.  Various activities are planned there throughout the year aimed to spread the ancient and modern culture of the Basques.  On the one hand they have talks and cultural events as well as celebrate significant dates in the Basque and Argentine communities such as Carnival, San Fermin, the anniversary of the Bombing of Gernika, the days of the patron saints of the May Revolution, to name a few. On the other hand they have art events in the  Eusketxe Art Gallery, Basque cultural workshops are held and they also have gastronomic get-togethers.  It is worth noting as well that the headquarters of Ekin and Eusketxe is also the site for dance practices and workshops for the Ekin Dantzari Taldea directed by Aitor Alava.

The naming ceremony will take place on Saturday December 1, and will include a toast.  The event will begin at 9pm at Lizarraenea, Mexico 1880, Buenos Aires.