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Santiago, Chile.  The Association Basque Collectivity of Chile celebrated its Semana Vasca 2013 in the beginning of August.  The festivities began with an artistic exhibit entitled, “Euskal Erakusketa.”  The event started on July 30, in the exhibition hall “El Greco” at the center of the Spanish Stadium and it was attended by 50 people. 

The exhibit presented a series of typical Basque costumes, accompanied by various photographs of Basque localities, and oil paintings done by members of the club, as well as a sample of different posters created by the Basque Collectivity of Chile club.

[Some of the costumes displayed in the “Euskal Erakusketa” exhibit (photo Colectividad Vasca Chile)]

Besides the exhibit, open through August 16, the Semana Vasca also included other events like a cultural talk on Basque contributions to the construction of Chilean culture, by writer Miguel Laborde, a Basque pilota match, and a cinema cycle with films by Basque filmmakers, and a celebration of San Ignacio of Loyola.

[Members of the board of directors along with writer Miguel Laborde (photo Colectividad Vasca de Chile)]

San Ignacio de Loyola

The festivities ended with the traditional celebration of the feast of San Ignacio de Loyola, on Sunday August 4.  The events began at 11:30 with mass at the chapel “Virgen de Covadonga,” celebrated by Father Alfredo Calvo with the participation of the club’s choir.

[The club’s choir and the group of txistularis accompanied several of the activities during Semana Vasca 2013 (photo Colectividad Vasca de Chile)]

After the ceremony those in attendance gathered outside the chapel for a musical presentation by the Txistulari Group, and the Club’s choir, accompanied by the dance group.  At noon, the festivities continued with lunch attended by nearly 200 people and was enlivened by a presentation of traditional Basque dances.