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San Juan, Argentina.  As a tribute to the Basque town and its tree, symbol of the freedom of the Basque Country, the Euskal Etxea Basque club of San Juan carried out “the desired project of planting an oak in the city.”  The event took place during the Semana de Mayo, a date chosen by the Basque club to also commemorate an anniversary meaningful to the Argentinean community.

Besides planting the oak, there was also the unveiling of a plaque including the club’s name and the verses of Gernikako Arbola.  The club’s vice-president, Paulo Landa as well as Lehendakari, Cristina Hornilla, explained to the audience the meaning of the verses considered today as the Basque anthem as well as the importance of what happened in Gernika in the history of Euskal Herria.

[Basque club officials, representatives of local institutions and the club’s standard bearers Diego and Jorge Landa at the ceremony on May 24 (photoEE)

Alberto Larrea, club member born in Gernika, told those present that this was not the first oak to be planted by the Basque community in the province.  In his words, “in 1953, my uncle Juan Larrea, planted a sapling from the Tree of Gernika in Carpineria, south of San Juan.  After a few years, on route 40, we realized that the tree had been removed."

Basque rural cooking in San Juan

Every self-respecting Basque event must include a gastronomic activity, and San Juan is no exception.  On June 8 the Basque club will organize a “Locro patrio” where a typical homemade Argentinean “locro” or stew will be served and the Tango singer Juan Vizcaino will present his new CD.

On June 14 author of Cocina Vasca Campesina, Marita Echave will present her book at the Museum of Urban Memory and will teach a class on how to prepare some of her recipes the next day to club members.  The club especially thanks Luis Meglioli for providing the space for this event.

Finally the club would like to take this opportunity, through EuskalKultura.com, to send their most sincere congratulations to member Enzo Landa who received the novice cassock of the'Verbo encarnado'  Catholic congregation Living Word on May 18th in San Rafael in the province of Mendoza.