The fourth annual celebration of a day created to remember the Basques who for the most diverse resasons had to abandon their country, and to remember their descendants who have kept their love for their homeland in their hearts, is fast approaching. It is also a day to strengthen the bonds that tie together all Basques, wherever in the world they may be, and join together. This is a commemoration to all those who have worked to make this happen since the idea first came about.
Just like the 2020 event, the pandemic is going to seriously affect this year’s celebration, just as it’s affected the lives of all Basques all over the world. But we’re sure that our community is going to find creative ways to celebrate this day while still fulfilling all the health and hygiene conditions and precautions necessary to keep everyone healthy.
The Directorate of the Basque Community Abroad, in the Executive Branch of the Basque Government, is in charge of organizing this event, and they’ve told us that this year’s celebration will be held in the capital of Álava, Vitoria-Gasteiz.
They’ve also asked us to have anyone anywhere who’s celebrating it to be sure to tell them all about it: How are you, the Basques of the Diaspora, going to celebrate it? Already, plans from all over the world are streaming in:
In Pau, in France, they’re going to celebrate an evening around a St. John’s Bonfire. In Palma de Mallorca, in Spain, they’ll be having a party with pintxos, drinks, and txalaparta and accordeon players at the Son Rapynia Jai Alai Court. In Necochea, Argentina, they’ll be celebrating with locally-made cider. In Brussels, there will be a dinner, with songs and a place to hear to stories of those who’ve had to face covid-19. In Havana, times are tough right now, not only because of the pandemic, and connecting to the internet can be difficult, but they wil be decorating their doors and balconies with ikurriñas.
As always since the first annual celebration, we’ll be lighting a candle to remember those who have left us, but whose effort, commtiment, and example have been responsible for creating the “chain that shall never be broken”, and that the Basques, at home and abroad, keep alive by keeping their roots with their homeland strong.
We’re sure that every Basque center is putting some kind of celebration together, and the Basque Government is preparing a virtual agenda to list all these different activities. To add your part, just send an email to [email protected], describing what activities you’re organizing.
Last Updated on Sep 7, 2021 by About Basque Country
