euskalkultura.eus

Buenos Aires, Argentina. Amerikanuak is a compilation of photos and stories taken by photographer Kepa Etchandy from Baiona.  The work came to Argentina thanks to a print run that was done by Argentine writer, Roberto E. Landaburu at the AMALEVI publisher that will make 100 copies available to those interested. 

Regarding the decision to publish the book, according to Landaburu, “Touring the beautiful villages and hamlets in Iparralde, Kepa (Etchandy) always focused on the houses or farmhouses of the ‘Amerikanuak.’ In that coming and going, while he took photos he told me stories and I imagined that this material with this commentary shouldn’t be lost.  That is what encouraged me to say: ‘Publish it, Kepa, publish it!’ ‘We are going ahead,’ I would tell him, and he paid attention to me.”

As for the theme of Amerikanuak even if it is a book of photographs, it also includes text that makes a crucial contribution to understand the images. In the same way, the editor also clarifies that the book in no way exhausts the subject, “it is one part of a compelling history of Basque emigration to American, mainly from the 19^th and 20^th centuries,” they are “brushstrokes that the photographer’s eye captured, with an attentive ear.”  Let us remember that the mark of the “Amerikanuak” have been left in many villages, in both Iparralde and Hegoalde.

Bring Kepa Etchandy to your place

Amerikanuak will be presented by its author at the Basque Stand at the Buenos Aires International Book Fair, on a date to be confirmed.  In addition to participating in the Fair, Kepa Etchandy will also attend the 3^rd edition of ‘Buenos Aires Celebrates the Basque Country” that will take place this year on May 11^th.  During his stay, he will also give talks and exhibit his work at various local Basque clubs.

If you want to contact Kepa Etchandy to organize a talk or a photo exhibit in your Basque club, Culture House, association or municipality, please write here.

-To view Kepa Etchandy’s photographs, click www.ibaifoto.com