euskalkultura.eus

The Festival of Communities in the city of Neuquen, Argentina took place last weekend beginning on Friday night.  It was very well attended and included the participation of groups from the local communities. Euskal Herria was also represented by the Euskal Etxea in Comahue in the parade as well as at the stands. 

Neuquen, Argentina.  Under the motto, “The World in your Reach,” the Festival of Communities in the city of Neuquen took place last weekend, November 4-6 at the Events and Convention Center Duam.  As every year, the festival became an excellent opportunity to get to know about culture and enjoy the original gastronomy from a large variety of peoples and countries, including Spain, Italy, Chile, Hungary, Russia, Arab Countries, Ukraine, Venezuela, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, Dominican Republic, Cuba and Mexico as well as Euskal Herria.  

Just a year after its emergence and making its debut at the festival, the Euskal Etxea in Camahue participated in the event carrying the Ikurriña in the parade that began the festival.  They also had a stand that provided cultural information about traditions and news from the Basque Country, souvenirs, as well as displaying several symbols like traditional costumes, txapelas, lauburus, ikurriñas, maps and photos.  To complement the image of Euskal Herria they also showed touristic videos.  Local dantzaris also entertained dancing a few improvised fandangos.

“Participating in this festival made us very happy,” Manu Molina, club president told EuskalKultura.com.  “Initially having the opportunity to coexist and spend some days showing our culture and traditional along with other communities with whom we spend our day to day lives in other areas. On a personal level, as members of the Euskal Etxea it was a pleasure to be in touch with the culture and traditions of our ancestors.  At a club level, it represents a boost in citizenship, since it allows us to make ourselves known, representing Euskadi,” Molina explained.