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Ambares, France.  The Ongi Etorri Association spent a wonderful day of celebration and camaraderie on April 27^th thanks to the Basque festivities organized along with the Euskal Etxea in Bordeaux.  The event gathered nearly 200 people that attended ready to enjoy music, food and Basque dance.

In spite of its small size, Ongi Etorri has carried out numerous activities over the last few years, including the Day of the Basques celebration, and its Basque courses started in September of 2013. 

The association has 20 members and is led by Dominique Lecuona.  The former president and current honorary president is Piarres Trounday, who is also a much respected member of the Bordeaux Basque club.  Maybe that’s why, as well as due to the proximity of the two associations, that the relationship between the two is so great.  For example, for the last two years the Bordeaux Basque club has helped Ongi Etorri to begin its Euskera classes.

[The Ongi Etorri event included Basque music and song, and a performance by Mixpirarrak (photoBordeauxEE)]

[And after dinner, dancing! (photoBordeauxEE)]

The Mayor of Ambares, Michel Heritié is one of its Basque students.  The socialiste polititian is a son of Basques who settled in the area and who shared what he had learned in his bilingual welcome in Basque and French. There is a large Basque population in Ambares since the 40s, when they began coming to the city to work in petroleum product factories, agriculture or viticulture.

[Members at the event with the Mayor of Ambares, Michel Heritié, in a suit at the right (photoBordeauxEE)]

The organization of this successful Basque Day was run in part by Bruno Luro, vice-president of the Bordeaux Basque club.  The atmosphere was unforgettable and also included entertainment by the Mixpirarrak group from Iparralde.

-More information on Ongi Etorri’s blog
-More photos of the event on Bordeaux Basque club’s Facebook page