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Vitoria-Gasteiz. Gaztemundu 2013, a training program aimed at youth in Basque clubs around the world, was something special.  The age limit was removed and opened to older participates since one of the prerequisites was being able to play a Basque instrument well.

The selection process included sending in a video of the participant playing his/her instrument of choice, something that was key in putting a group together that had a good foundation.

From there, the two-week program included classes at the Musika Etxea in Gasteiz so that participants could perfect their techniques and make great progress.

There were many classes, rehearsals, and hours of effort and dedication but also there were visits, new friends, and also some dancing at the Dantza-Plaza at a weekly dance get-together in Gasteiz.

Here is a summary of Gaztemundu 2013 in pictures:

[Part of the group with professors at the Municipal Music School in Vitoria-Gasteiz where classes were taught]

[Learning music, and also dance]

[The Gaztemundu group in Donostia after watching rowing on the Concha]

[With the Lehendakari at an official reception and listening to a concert by Txistulari Garikoitz Mendizabal]

[Fernando Zabalza, Agustín Alonso and Franco Seghesso (from the Gerora Basque club in  Córdoba, Argentina) presenting the  Lehendakari a gift.  The three are members of the Baietz group, a pioneering Argentinean group who have recorded a CD in Basque (they gave a copy each to the Lehendakari and Garikoitz Mendizabal)]

[At Soinuenea Music School in Oiartzun with Juan Mari Beltran]

[Two member dancing at the Zarautz Festival]

[At the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao]

[At the Marques de Riscal Bodega in Eltziego]

[Franco Seghesso, Martina Saa, Fernando Zabalza and Jose Gutiérrez practicing for the  Dantza Plaza in Vitoria-Gasteiz]

[Raimundo and Aitor Riquelme proudly displaying the Chilean flag after performing at the Dantza Plaza]