NEW ENGLAND BASQUE CLUB

All New England Basque Club members and friends are invited to participate in our Sagardo Eguna on Saturday October 24th at Knights of Columbus in Middletown, Rhode Island.

Where: Knights of Columbus — 7 Valley Rd, Middletown, RI 02842
When: October 24th, 1pm to 7pm

The celebration will start with an exhibition of Basque rural sports, including aizkolaris (wood-chopping), sokatira (tug of war), txingaruten (weight carrying) and harrijasoketa (weight lifting). Afterwards, we’ll have a Cider Making demonstration and “txistorra” sandwiches.

The Californian Basque writer Begoña Echeverria will be our very special guest that day. Echeverria will read an excerpt from her book “The Hammer of Witches,” a historical novel about the Basque witch trials of the 17th century, and sign copies.

During the celebration, we’ll be raffling some authentic Basque Cider from Astigarraga sent over by the folks at Shacksbury, in Vermont.

A contribution of $10 per person will be collected to help sustain the activities of the NEBC.

RSVP before October 17th to nebasque@gmail.com if you plan on attending.

Thank you very much for your support! Looking forward to seeing you.

Check out the NEBC Facebook page for more info.

On August 15, 2015, the New England Basque Club gathered for Mariñel Eguna at the Dolphin’s Cove Marina in Bridgeport, Connecticut. This celebration of the Basque fishing tradition, deftly organized again by Naiara Azpiri, saw peak numbers of attendees (most decked out in traditional navy blue!), including members of Euskaldunak Quebec, Montreal’s Basque society. With two delicious kinds of paella prepared by the New England Basque Club, along with appetizers, deserts and beverages provided by the restaurant, the occasion proved a sybarite’s paradise.

There was also Basque music, a raffle and a lively rendition of “Boga, Boga,” sung in chorus. Even the weather channeled the holiday’s spirit, treating us to the sea breeze, silver sky, and misting so evocative of Euskal Herria. This year’s Mariñel Eguna was a wonderful chance to gather together as well as a fine curtain call for the New England Basque Club’s summer celebrations.

Eskerrik asko denori eta ongi izan!

Check out our Facebook page for more information.

On May 9, 2015, the New England Basque Club celebrated Txitxiburduntzi at Riki Lasa’s farm in Connecticut. Lovely weather held out for the whole celebration, which included herri kirolak, a delicious supper with a roast pig masterfully prepared by Patxi Gandiaga, as well as music and a raffle for top-class Gipuzkoa cider provided by Shacksbury of Vermont.

The Club was also pleased to host the 52-time world champion in timber sports, Mike Sullivan, as a participant in this year’s aizkolaritza competition. Sullivan enjoyed the Basque take on the sport for its mix of speed and endurance, individual skill and teamwork. These were the elements that first drew the Colebrook, CT native to wood-chopping. After seeing a contest on ABC’s Wide World of Sports, and with the guidance of fellow sportsman Jim Colbert, Sullivan began the journey that took him – a former professional baseball player, a pitcher drafted in the first round by the Cincinnati Reds – to New Zealand to train.

Mark Your Calendars! 2015 NEBC Calendar of Events…
May 9 – Txitxiburduntzi in Hartford, CT.
August 15 – Andra Mari in Mildford, CT.
October 24 – Sagardo Eguna in Middletown, RI.

Members and friends of the New England Basque Club (NEBC) gathered last Saturday March 7th in Newport, Rhode Island, to join the spirit of the upcoming 19th edition of the Korrika. With a walk along King Park, attendees showed their support to the race in favor of Euskera that every year covers the Basque Country from one end to the other. Afterwards, a family dinner was hosted at a local restaurant. As a closing of the event, Marie Claire Resz, the eldest among the NEBC members, shared a commemorative poem she had written for the ocassion.
Eskerrik asko, Marie Claire!

To all my Basque Friends in honor of the 19th Korrika

Korrika, korrika!
The rallying cry
Over oceans and mountains
For us Basques all over the world
To unite
And in the steps of our fathers
To proudly run
Never away
Always onward
To save, develop and protect
The uniqueness of our country
In an ever changing world.
Oh my beloved country
Just ask
And generations after generations
We will run for you
To the end of the earth
Till our last breath
To proclaim
Your everlasting beauty.