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Invited by the local Euskal Txokoa Basque club, the city of San Martin de los Andes was the site of the 1st gathering of Basque clubs in Patagonia, attended by representatives from the clubs in Neuquén, Viedma-Patagones, Puerto Madryn and Bariloche, along with the local hosts.  The initiative that hopes to strengthen ties between these clubs and promote joint projects, was very successful and wasn’t only supported by FEVA and the Basque Delegation, but also by the local and provincial governments. 

San Martin de los Andes, Argentina.   The city of San Martin de los Andes, in the province of Neuquen, was the site of the 1st meeting of Euskal Etxeas in Patagonia organized by the local Euskal Txokoa Basque club on June 24-26.

Following the host’s proposal, during the working meeting on June 24, it was agreed to strengthen regional activities, and cooperative work; that is to say to help a club, in the area of dance, gastronomy or Euskera, and first asking other Patagonian clubs to see if they can respond to the demand.

In the words of Manuel Bustingorry, Euskal Txokoa’s president, “the meeting was very positive because we could meet each other in person and that facilitates communication when the distances are so large.  Sharing situations that happen in the day to day in each of our clubs has helped us feel less alone.  It was very positive, above all, in the support shown our club and the one in Comahue, the two youngest.  We were also able to express our problems to FEVA’s president, including the different problems in communication and the federalization of the activities, with a promise to improve in this regard. At the next meeting we will even elect a delegate from Patagonia who will represent us as a region at the FEVA level,” Bustingorry said.  Finally, those present also agreed that the next meeting will take place in Puerto Madryn on September 24th. 

Besides representatives from clubs in Neuquén, Viedma-Patagones, Puerto Madryn and Bariloche, the president of FEVA, Hugo Andiazabal, was also in attendance along with the Delegate of the Basque Government in Argentina-Mercosur, Sara Pagola.  To express the support of the initiative and to welcome the delegations, the vice-governor of the province of Neuquen, Rolando Figueroa also attended, along with the Mayor of San Martin de los Andes, Brunilda Rebolledo; and Mayor of the Lanin National Park, Horacio Pelozo; and the entire local city council.

Visitors and authorities exchanged gifts and committed to support this type of meeting, highlighting the entrepreneurial attitude of the Euskal Txokoa Basque club for being “the first Basque club in Neuquen, that is only two years old, and taking concrete steps towards organizing the collectivity of the city, but also generate links between other Basque clubs in Patagonia Argentina.”

Film Series and Anniversary

Also as part of the program, on Saturday afternoon, June 25, Amama was shown at the Cotemsa Cultural Center.  This was the last segment of the Basque Film Series 2016 coordinated by Carlos Gabilondo, and declared, for the second year in a row, as an “activity of Municipal interest.”

That night, the locals welcomed the visiting delegations to the facilities at the Rincon de los Andes – Mountain Resort, where the club celebrated its 2nd anniversary.  After the meeting, the Basque club wanted to thank everyone who made this first experience possible, especially the local authorities and businesses, and the media, as well as all of the families that comprise the young Basque club.