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Necochea, Argentina. The selection process is now closed and the Zahar Alai dance group has published the list of participants that will come to Argentina in July. As explained to EuskalKultura.com by Marcial Agostini Zubillaga, Zahar Alai member, “We were really impressed and we were very happy by the number of people wanting to participate.  Every year there are more.  We would love for all to come, however it isn’t possible due to lodging limitations…. Even so, in 2014 the program has been expanded from prior years.  This year nine will be able to participate, the most since 2005.”

The organizers have published the names of those who will participate this year and who will share the culture of their towns with the community of Necochea.  They are:

-Beñat Konde Untzilla, from Elgoibar
-Eñaut Arretxe Agirre, from Segura
-Itxaso Sáenz de Lafuente González de Mendivil, from Gasteiz
-Izaro Intsausti, from Ordizia
-Nekane Agirre Saldias, from Sunbilla
-Olatz Mitxelena Larreta, from Oiartzun
-Uxue Etxebeste Eizagirre, from Alkiza
-Xabier Maritxalar Errandonea, from Lesaka
-Xabier Urtasun Eraso, from Irurita.

Participants will arrive and will be welcomed at a reception in Ezeiza and will then travel to Necochea.  The next day, they will be welcomed at the Basque club and classes and workshops will begin on Monday including Basque gastronomy, dance, trikitixa, panderoa, herri kirolak and Basque.  As every year, classes are aimed at the children and youth of the club as well as their families and the community in general.

The program will also include festivities that are meaningful to the local Basque club including “Alegre despertar,” (Wake Up Happy) on July 31^st where they will move from house to house of the older members of the club who have contributed to the club throughout their lives. At each home they will perform traditional dances, and play the triki and panderoa. Also on the 31^st, but at noon, they will visit local officials and will lay a wreath at the sapling of the Tree of Gernika.

On August 2^nd, the St Ignatius dinner will take place where students will show off what they have learned.  They will also plan and carry out the “Grandparents Day,” where the youngest of the club honor the old.  During the festivities they will enjoy traditional hot chocolate, but grandparents will also be entertained by dancers of all ages, who will also perform dances learned during the year, as well as those learned at Hator Hona.

Necochea dancers are completely immersed in the planning and organization. “We can’t wait for July,” they say.