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The presentation of the new Basque club took place on April 9 at the Paseo de los Artesanos in Neuquen.  The support enjoyed by the new club was notable and not only at the local level, with the participation of several municipal authorities, but also from neighboring  Basque communities representated.  Representatives from several Basque clubs traveled hundreds of kilometers to accompany the Euskal Etxea in Comahue at its first big event (see photo gallery).

Neuquen, Argentina.   Near the end of 2015, when Rafa Molina began meeting with Basques in Neuquen and the surrounding area, the idea to create and officially present the Euskal Etxea in Comahue seemed far off.  Nevertheless, Molina faced the challenge and worked with great conviction until accomplishing what he committed himself to.  With the help of social media, this man from Durango who has been in Argentina for the last five years, formed a network of friends that supported, some from a distance, and others locally, the club’s first big public event.

Members of the new club weren’t the only ones at its official presentation that also celebrated Aberri Eguna, Day of the Basque Homeland.  Representatives from Gure Txokoa in Cordoba, Gure Ametza from Rio Cuarto, Beti Aurrera Aberri Etxea from Viedma and Patagones, Mendiko Eusko Etxea from Bariloche and Euskal Txokoa from San Martin de los Andes also participated in the festivities with dancing, music and above all the great atmosphere created at Basque events.

In the words of Molina, “Saturday, April 9, 2016 will remain in our hearts, not just because of the club’s presentation to the public, but also because our souls were also moved by the dantzaris and txalapartaris.  We would like to thank all our neighbors for their support and for coming to enjoy the festivities; the local authorities led by Mayor Horacio Quiroga, represented by the Secretary of Culture and Tourism, Andres Ross; the city’s councilmen; the Argentine Army for lodging the visitors; the Artisan Fair in Neuquen; the media and of course, all the clubs who also came,” he concluded.