euskalkultura.eus

The Gure Txoko Basque club in Valladolid, Spain celebrated its annual Euskal Jaia on September 26-27, including this year the participation of the Kezka dance group, based in Eibar, Gipuzkoa.  The dancers did two performances in the streets of the city that aroused the interest of the locals and the curious.  The festival concluded with a meal for members and friends along with the dantzaris at Gure Txoko. 

Valladolid, Spain.  Basque culture took to the streets of Valladolid on the weekend of September 26-27, thanks to the Euskal Jaia put on by the Gure Txoko Basque club.  The festivities began on Saturday afternoon with mass at the Cathedral in Valladolid, celebrated by Cardinal Ricardo Blazquez, who used to be the Bishop of Bilbao.  The club choir sang in Basque during the ceremony including the Our Father and Agur Jauank. The Kezka Dance group also danced in honor of Our Lady of the Assumption in Valladolid.

After mass, everyone moved to the University Plaza and before a large local and curious public the Kezka Dantza Taldea performed Basque dances representing the local Basque club.  Among the dances performed were "Ezpata-dantzak" and "Trokeo-dantzak," they also performed “Aurresku” for authorities present including Cardinal Blazquez, Jose Andres Cabrerizo (Dean of the Cathedral) and various local authorities. 

The Kezka dance group was also accompanied by txistularis Amaia Baglietto, Andoni Altzibar, and Andoni Urbieta, and Iñaki Barua on the drum.  Oihana Llorente, also danced as the captain at the University Plaza.

More dancing on Sunday

The celebration continued the next day with a traveling Basque dance performance that began at noon at the Plaza Mayor, to then travel to other places like the Plaza Coca, and the exterior of San Benito.  The dance group, accompanied by the choir and local dancers, brought Basque culture to the locals with Soka Dantza, Arrateko brokel dantza, fandangos and various popular songs.

Afterwards, everyone went to the clubhouse where they enjoyed a meal together.

Gure Txoko will continue its activities this Monday with the beginning of Basque classes for adults that are taught at the clubhouse.