Cipolletti, Argentina. Pedro Mario Arana Urionabarrenechea, was born in Buenos Aires, but he spent some of his childhood in Durango, Bizkaia the homeland of his parents and grandparents. The love for his ancestors’ country and the link that he established with the Baskos de la Confluencia Basque club in Cipolletti, where he currently resides, inspired him to write the texts that comprise the book Txalaparta: cosas de vascos (Txalaparta: Basque's Things), specifically for the club’s radio program.
In the author’s words, “My intention (to write them) was to make them available publicly, not just for Basques. The inspiration of this book is the premise of the Baskos de la Confluencia, to spread the Basque culture.” The radio program “Txalaparta” talks about cultural topics, and I developed these topics, language, gastronomy, history and mythology, sports, the civil war….I believe this adds to the diffusion and accompanies the club’s mission,” Arana explained.
The book hasn’t yet been officially presented in Argentina, but it was presented at the club at the beginning of July for the club’s board of directors. There is also one copy already in Euskal Herria, specifically in the hands of Gorka Alvarez Aranburu, Director of the Basque Community Abroad, who will place it in the Museum of the Basque Diaspora.
The presentation of Txalaparta: Basque's Things is anticipated for August at the Basque club, at a public event. Closer to spring (in the southern hemisphere) the book will be presented at the 16th Cipolletti Book Fair October 4-14.
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