Last weekend, the city of Montpellier became the meeting point for the Basque community in France, as host of the annual Basque Club meeting in this country. Attending the meeting were representatives from clubs in Pau, Paris, Bordeaux, Marseille and Montpellier, who exchanged experiences and information. On the following day, all of them attended the Annual Eskualdunak Basque Festival that was attended by more than 150 people and included music provided by Jean Louis Bergara and Beñat Chaubandendeguy.
Montpellier, France. Representatives from five Basque clubs in France participated last saturday at the Montepellier Basque club’s annual festival. Atending from Paris were: Maitane Larronde and Maryse Laborde; from Pau, Frantxoa Challet; from Bordeaux, Anne Marie Pedoussau; from Marseille, Fernando Zabalza, Isabelle Mendy and Christelle Poquet, and finally from the hosting club: Henri Saragueta, Francoise Nielloud, Lina Bardina and club president, Francky Etchegorry.
The meeting ran for about three hours. Those attending shared experiences and information about club management and activities that they hold. Afterwards, there was an aperitif at the Eskualdunak clubhouse that was attended by 45 people. After dinner, the attendees danced and sang to the music provided by Jean Louis Bergara and Beñat Chaubandendeguy.
Basque Festival
On Sunday, Eskualdunak of Montpellier celebrated its annual Basque festival that began with mass in Basque, celebrated by Aita Mounho. More than 150 people attended, all dressed in red and white. Afterwards there was an aperitif on the euskal etxea’s patio, and those attending danced mutxikoak, again to the music of Bergara and Chaubandedeguy, who played tirelessly all weekend. After the meal, there was singing, and children’s games, and mus for the adults.
There was great atmosphere, but the absence of two historic references of the club was also felt, Jacques Lesca and Didier Gasnot, who had to be hospitalized just days before. During the festivities participants remembered them both and wish them speedy recoveries.
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