euskalkultura.eus

In the Argentine Province of Misiones, the Eusko Etxea in Corpus Christi once again held a large program of activities at its traditional Basque-Argentine Cultural festival.  The event, was dedicated to Saint Ignatius and featured the figure of the saint who was born in Loyola, Gipuzkoa. 

Corpus Christi, Argentina.  The Basque Festival at the Eusko Etxea took place July 29-31, and as prior editions, provided the community the possibility to participate in film screenings, talks, meals and religious ceremonies.

Carlos Gabilondo, director of the traveling Film Series, showed some short films in the Church of San Ignacio (town).  On July 29, it was Asier Altuna’s turn, Basque director who provided the short Plazatik plazera and the film Amama.  On the next day, the series continues with La Fuga de Segovia by Imanol Uribe.  As is customary, after each show, the audience had the chance to share their opinions and comments about the films shown.

Talks

Cesar Arrondo, club friend and committed collaborator in the Corpus Christ Basque community, also attended and gave two talks.  His first talk took place at the Church of San Ignacio, where he talked about “The Franco Regime, the birth of ETA and the Current Situation of Political Prisoners.”  The next day, the event took place at the Euskaldunberri Galleria, the site of the Basque club, and the chosen theme this time was the Basque Diaspora.

Religious Ceremonies

The Basque-Argentine Cultural Festival that the club organizes annually took place at the end of July in order to celebrate the patron Saint of Gipuzkoa and the co-patron of Bizkaia.  This is why a large part of the festival program took place with and in the neighboring Church of San Ignacio.  One of the first activities on the program was to welcome members of the Misionera Brocheriana Pilgrammage, that left Santiageo del Estro on the 18th to share in the Feast of the patron Saint, San Ignatius of Loyola, in the city of San Ignacio.  The image of Fr. Brochero that the pilgrims brought on their trip was located next to a portrait of the Venerable Servant of God, Maria Antonia of San Jose known as Mama Antula, and next to a relic of Saint Ignatius of Loyola.

On Saturday, July 30th mass was offered by Fr. Chuco Villar.  Afterwards a PowerPoint was shown about the Casa-Torre, the Basilica of Loyola and the work being done by the Company of Jesus in Misiones.

On July 31, the Feast of San Ignacio, the Basque club in Corpus participated in the San Ignacio mass as well as the procession.  The relic of San Ignacio, obtained by the Basque club last year, led the procession in its first outing since its enthronement.

Participation of the Iparraldeko Euskal Etxea

Just like in 2015, the “Alkartasuna” food group from the Iparraldeko Euskal Etxea in the city of Buenos Aires was in charge of the menu for the San Ignacio dinner.  With Cesar Arrondo at the head, the cooks prepared a huge paella to conclude the festivities.