euskalkultura.eus

Montreal, Quebec.  The Euskaldunak of Quebec Basque club is very happy with the success of the festivities celebrated on February 2^nd when a group of youth took to the streets of Montreal to sing to the saint and, as well to make Euskera and the Basque culture better known in the city.

Clubs sources let EuskalKultura.com know that the event began at 6pm at the clubhouse where participants gathered with the typical makilak – sticks – that accompanies the rhythm of the songs to Santa Agueda.  The group was also accompanied by musicians with trikitixa and panderoa and brought the festival to life along with food to give them strength to face the cold temperatures in Quebec.

“Why not? Eat and sing.  Two very united activities in the Basque culture, two traditions that we want to revitalize, or better said, celebrate for the first time.” This year, thanks to Euskaldunak club youth, a new tradition ahs begun, singing to Santa Agueda.

The group practiced at the Basque club and later left for the L’Escalier bar, accompanied by the sound of the trikitixa and panderoa.  “How strange, and beautiful, a kalejira through Montreal!" they said.

[Practicing songs at the clubhouse (photoQuebecEE)]

At the bar, the group took to the stage with a kalejira and then sang Zorion etxe huntako denoi and more seriously Egun da Santi Mamiñe that they came off stage with.

[Euskaldunak youth livened up the bar L’Escalier (photoQuebecEE)]

Their performances called the attention of the people and many of them came expressing how much they enjoyed what they were doing, but of course they didn’t understand a thing.  Club members responded to questions happily taking advantage of the opportunity to enlighten folks in Montreal about the Basque culture.

Participants were very happy as well and are sure to do it again next year, with a bigger repertoire.