Olentzero’s visit to the US
Olentzero was busier than usual this 2011. He spent the best part of the year traveling arraun the world handing out presents from people in the Basque Country to relatives and friends living abroad before visiting Boise, Idaho and the country’s capital, Washington DC.
On Sunday, December 4, after his worldwide tour, Olentzero made his first stop in Boise’s Basque Center, right after the Winter Show at Borah High School, where Boiseko Gazteak Basque dancers performed what they’ve learned throughout the year. The young dancers got a chance to show off in front of friends and family, and it was also a great opportunity to contribute food to the Idaho Food Bank.
In this video, Azkarrak dancers perform their opening act. (I apologize in advance for the commentary, I forget…).
After the show, everybody got in their cars, just like we do every year, and headed to the Basque Center downtown to eat a solomo sandwich, listen to Olentzero’s story and sing Christmas songs while we waited for Olentzero to arrive.
Olentzero’s visit to Boise is always exciting and intense, given the amount of presents he has to bring over from the Basque Country. Everybody knows there are almost as many Basque kids in Boise as there are back home. After a well-deserved week of rest, Olentzero made his way to the Washingon DC Euskal Etxea, where last Saturday he finished handing out the last presents of his US tour.
And remember, Boise’s Sheepherders Ball will take place on Saturday, December 17 at 7:30 pm. The December Holiday Dinner will precede the dance, and admission to the dinner will allow you to stay for the dance.
Entertainment will begin upstairs in Boise’s Basque Center, 611 W Grove St, Boise, Idaho 83702 at 7:30 pm. The Oinkaris will perform at 8:00 pm, followed by the lamb auction which raises funds for the charities account. The dance, featuring Amuma Says No, will begin at 9:30 pm.
The cost for the dance is $5 for adults and $3 for children age 6 to 12. Children under 6 are free. Chorizos and pop will be sold if you are still hungry after dinner. For additional information, click here.
Before Sheepherders, we will be gathering again at 6:00 pm on December 16 at The Basque Market to sing Gabon kantak (Basque Carols).
If you need more information or have questions about anything Basque going on in Boise, you can ask me or Izaskun Kortazar, or join our Basque Events in Boise group on Meetup.com.
Thanks for passing by: ↓
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Boise State would like to use one or two of your photos for a student book about Boise Grove street. Do you have photos of children on the Basque Block? Do you have them in higher resolution? Thanks for you consideration.
Todd Shallat
Boise State University
tshalla@boisestate.edu