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Donibane Garazi, Nafarroa Beherea. The capital of Lower Navarre welcomed the 8^th edition of this Amerikanoak get-together organized by the Euskal Artzainak Ameriketan Association on Saturday September 21.  The Association is formed by former sheepherders and people linked to the  Basque emigration to America. 

Nearly 600 people participated in the long-awaited festivities where the brand of strength that was experienced manifested itself reaching several generations of Basques since it also reaches the children and grandchildren of these herders. While migration to the West stopped forty years ago, the people, memories, links and families that cultivate and share the same culture in both countries breathe life into what is called Basque-American, that gives faith to those gathered in Donibane Garazi on Saturday.

[The day began with a Basque-American snack served in Donibane Garazi’s market place with Xingarra eta Gasna (bacon and cheese) etc.  (photo EuskalKultura.com)]

[A spicy soup helped wet their throats.  Henri Ocafrain, who lived in San Francisco for many years and who still have family there (with brothers between the Basque Country and the US) liked it and had seconds.  They ran out of bread and had to bring more.  Everything was a perfect complement to the chatter with new and old friends.  (photo EuskalKultura.com)]

[Among many others, the day was especially emotional for Denis Camino (at the left) originally from Arnegi but who lives in Buffalo, Wyoming, who attended for the first time.  We were witness to the excitement and even tears that came when running into school mates who he hadn’t seen since leaving for California and later to Wyoming (photo EuskalKultura.com)]

[An aizkolari exhibition, woodcutters who used chain saws and rural sports took place at the Jai-Alai in Donibane Garazi was enjoyed in spite of the hot sun.  During the event, the oldest member in attendance, Txomin Arranbide, 91-year-old born in California but from Urepel was honored (photo EuskalKultura.com)]

[Bertsolaris and singing were also part of the program with some being performed by Maitexa and Mattin Etchamendy from Bakersfield, California (photo EuskalKultura.com)]

[And much past noon, the day continued with a traditional meal that filled the kantxa of the Jai-Alai in Donibane Garazi where Basque mixed with Spanish and French among those in attendance  (photo EuskalKultura.com)]

[The event continued until 7pm when the buses were loaded and took people back to their homes.  There was also time during the day for drawings, songs, and everyone had a wonderful time.  There is some talk that next year’s event will be held a the Bardenas (photo EuskalKultura.com)]