euskalkultura.eus

New York, NY. The Euskal Etxea in New York organized a wonderful celebration of Santo Tomas last weekend gathering many members and friends at the clubhouse in Brooklyn.  The club put two traditional celebrations together: that of Santo Tomas that is celebrated around farmers ’ markets in many areas in the Basque Country and that of the arrival of the Olentzero which notably increased the attendance at the event.  

The festivities began with a fair at the clubhouse, where booths were put up with txistorra, talo and sandwiches.  Eder Montero, from the Txikito Restaurant in Manhattan, contributed to the party by providing cider and Rioja wine at the event to which many in attendance took note, creating a lively atmosphere, as indicated by club members to EuskalKultura.com. 

[Itziar Albisu, club president, worked in the kitchen preparing these beautiful tortillas (photo Koitz)] 

[The Basque club was full of people during the entire event (photo Koitz)] 

At 18:00 the guest star appeared, Olentzero, played this year by Iban Ubarretxena.  The youngest members of the club were really excited and nervous awaiting his arrival and each waited patiently for their turn to sit on his knee and tell him what they wanted for Christmas. 

 [Boys and girls watching the Olentzero in amazement in New York (photo Koitz)]  

[Some members, led by Aitzol Azurtza, sang Christmas carols in Basque (photo Koitz)]

[The flamboyant choir conductor, was well accompanied by 'New York Basques' (photo Koitz)] 

The atmosphere was wonderful and some members participated in the workshop on Basque Christmas carols, conducted by Aitzol Azurtza.  The afternoon passed but nobody wanted to leave, and so the party lasted until dawn, leaving New York’s young and old alike with a great memory.