I’m quite ashamed to say I didn’t know about September 8th being Basque Diaspora Day until earlier this week. Oops! I’m losing my touch! Luckily, I caught wind of it in the nick of time thanks to this week’s edition of Astero, a weekly bulletin always brings interesting news related to the Basque Country and the Diaspora.

The Basque Government chose this date after receiving several suggestions from Basques around the world, and because it coincides with the first circumnavigation of the globe, in 1522, by a crew led by Juan Sebastian Elkano who was from Getaria, Gipuzkoa. Hopefully, celebrations organized for this day will make the Basque presence around the world more visible.

Below the official Basque Diaspora Day video, you will find a list of the different events and activities planned for this first Basque Diaspora Day.

Boise’s Basque Museum & Cultural Center

The Basque Museum will celebrate Basque Diaspora Day for a little longer than just one day. Visit the Museum or leave a comment on the Museum’s Facebook page. Tell them where your family is from and they will mark it on the map for you!

Basque Club of Utah

The Basque Club of Utah is hosting a Zikiro Besta or lamb BBQ to celebrate. The event begins at 4:30pm at the Bywater Park Pavilion (3149 E. Banbury Rd.). Cost of the meal is $5 and $3 for children. BYOB and RSVP by emailing Catherine Barajas.

Basque Delegation of Euskadi

In New York, the Basque Delegation of Euskadi invites you to happy hour and a book presentation by Marti Buckley. Buckley, American chef, journalist and “passionate Basque transplant,” will present her book Basque Country: A Culinary Journey through a Food Lover’s Paradise. For complete information, contact the Delegation or click here.

Basque Educational Organization

The Basque Educational Organization will hold the next installment of its Basque Film Series with a special screening of Handia this Friday, September 7th at 7:30pm at the San Francisco Basque Cultural Center. Aitor Inarra will present the film and provide the film’s historical context. He will also moderate discussion about the film afterwards. For more information about Handia, or to watch the trailer, visit their website.

Center for Basque Studies

The Center for Basque Studies in Reno has organized a walk from sheepcamp at Rancho San Rafael to the Sheepherder’s Monument, approximate 2.4 miles. After the hike, stay and share some refreshments and each other’s company. The event starts at 10am.

Colorado Euskal etxea

The Colorado Euskal Etxea in Denver invites you to join them for their annual picnic on September 8th at Clement Park (shelters 7 & 8). The day will be full of good food and friendship with performances by the Gauden Bat Dancers from Chino, California. The event will run from 12:30-5pm. For complete information, see their flier.

Marin Sonoma Basque Association

In the Bay Area, the Marin Sonoma Basque Association will be holding its annual picnic on Sunday, September 9th at Penngrove Park. Lunch will be served from 12:30-2pm and costs $20 for adults and $5 for children. Everyone is welcome. For further information, call (707) 792-9258.

New England Basque Club

If you are on the east coast, please join the New England Basque Club for its Marinela Day Celebration paying tribute to “Basque fishermen and where we come from,” in conjunction with Day of the Basque Diaspora. The event will take place in Bridgeport Connecticut at the Dolphin’s Cove Restaurant & Marina with Basque style pintxos, paella, coffee and dessert to enjoy. Festivities begin at noon and cost of the meal is $30 for adults and $10 for children. For complete information, visit them on Facebook.

Santa Rosa Basque Club

If you are near Winnemucca, NV, join the Santa Rosa Basque Club for its two-day event. The festivities begin on Friday night with the Muma Scramble at the Winnemucca Golf Course, followed by pintxos, drinks and dancing to the music of Jean Flesher at Ormachea’s Dinner House at 8pm. Saturday events begin with mass at 10am at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Paradise Valley celebrated by Aita Antton. After mass, there will be food, fun, dance performances, herri kirolak, vendors and more. The day will conclude with more dancing to the sounds of Jean Flesher and Mercedes Mendive. Cost of admission is $5. For complete information email: srbc.paradise@gmail.com.

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