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Pigüé, Argentina. Located 580 kilometers from the capital, the city of Pigüé, as many others in the province of Buenos Aires, has a large number of Basque surnames. What differentiates them is the preoccupation with getting together and eventually creating a euskal etxea never arose…until now.  So, since last year, a group of descendants of Basque immigrants began by getting together to deepen their knowledge of the Basque people and their ancestors culture.

Once convened, the first step was to organize get-togethers to get to know and encourage other Basque descendants in the city to participate. These get-togethers – dinners that were held religiously every third Monday of the month at the Café-Restó Navarra – have been very well received since the beginning and were successful at attracting more than 50 people.

People who attend don’t go home empty handed.  Ana Maria Zugasti, one of the organizers, prepares a newsletter that she passes out at the diners. As she explained to EuskalKultura.com, “these have information on the Basque culture and the Basques of Pigüé.  For example, in May we published an article that I found among my uncles belongings, who had already passed away, that talks about my grandfather, Jose Manuel Zugasti, and his experience in the local Electric Cooperative, that he managed for many years.  My grandfather was from Doneztebe-Santesteban Navarre,” she told EuskalKultura.com.

First steps, first achievements

The group has been created and its members clearly know that they have a lot of work to do.  As another organizer, Veronica Olleta, explains “the priority is to become stronger as a group and invite more people, above all more youth: later we will begin to talk about forming a commission and founding a euskal etxea.”

In the meantime, and even though there is no institutional organization, the group of Basque descendants are making their place in the community and last year participated, for the first time in history, in the parade of communities as part of the city’s anniversary.  “It was on December 4^th and we participated for the first time with other communities in the city,” Zugasti told us.  “The person in charge of carrying our logo was my granddaughter Analuz, who wore my grandmother’s apron, who was from Iparralde.”

Little by little, but with a lot of enthusiasm, the Basques in Pigüé are making their way and are adding proposals to its already established monthly dinners.  The next one will take place on June 17^th that will include the screening of a Basque film classic.  For more information, you can contact the Basques of Pigüé via Facebook at “Centro Vasco Pigüé.”